Nanoscale Characterization Facility (NCF) Restart Plan
Objective
The overall objective is to resume research activities in a safe and healthy manner. Facility staff and users will adhere to all IU policies regarding research and will follow all state and federal guidelines.
Occupancy
Look before you enter any of the NCF laboratories, and maintain a 6 ft. distance from other occupants at all times. Occupancy in the NCF will be as follows:
- Simon 034 (main lab): maximum of 5 people; 1 person per instrument bay
- Simon 026 (clean room): maximum of 4 people
- Simon 026 (clean room gowning area): maximum of 1 person
- Simon 026B (clean room anteroom): maximum of 1 person
- Simon 026A and 028 (support rooms): maximum of 1 person each
- Chemistry A621 (BET instrument): maximum of 1 person
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
All facility users and staff must wear masks and gloves in the NCF labs. For the interim, clean gloves can be used on keyboards. Users must supply their own masks and gloves.
Scheduling Instruments
All instruments must be scheduled in advance through the Google calendars for each instrument on the facility website (https://nano.indiana.edu/). Time in the Simon clean room must also be scheduled on the Google calendar, in addition to any scheduled instrument time. When scheduling instrument time, allow sufficient time to clean work area before and after scheduled instrument time.
To maintain proper distancing within the NCF, several instruments cannot be used simultaneously. Please refer to the Google calendars for the following instruments:
- Simon 034: Either the FEI Teneo SEM or TGA instrument in bay 3 may be used at one time. Either the Malvern Zetasizer or Asylum AFM in bay 4 may be used at one time.
Simon Clean Room 026: Either the BOC Edwards thermal evaporator or Harrick plasma cleaner may be used at one time. Either the KLA-Tencor profiler or Novascan ozone cleaner may be used at one time. - Simon Clean Room 026B: The Headway spin coater, Nanonex nanoimprint lithography instrument, or OAI contact mask aligner may be used at one time.
Cleaning
Each user is responsible for wiping down the keyboard, mouse, work surface, and any touched surfaces with disinfectant prior to and at the end of their session. Staff will wipe down high-touch areas with disinfectant at least twice a day.
Project Consultation
Meetings to discuss upcoming projects with users will be conducted by Zoom or email. Email Jun Chen (jc101@iu.edu) or Yi Yi (yiyi@indiana.edu) to schedule a time for Zoom meetings.
Sample Analysis
If samples need to be run by NCF staff, please contact Jun Chen (jc101@iu.edu) or Yi Yi (yiyi@indiana.edu) to discuss the analysis needed and determine a time to drop-off samples.
Training of New Users
Training of new users will temporarily be suspended until further notice. Training will hopefully resume shortly.
Adherence to Guidelines
Facility users who do not adhere to these guidelines will be asked to leave, and if needed, advisors or supervisors will be notified.
Questions? Please direct questions to Jun Chen (jc101@iu.edu) or Yi Yi (yiyi@indiana.edu).