Author: eafraki

The XPS is still off-line. Unfortunately, the repairs made to the electronic control boards did not completely resolve the issue. Dr. Tim Leftwich is actively working on the instrument. We will update once a timeline has been established.

Please contact Dr. Tim Leftwich, if you have any questions or would like to use the XPS once it’s available.

ACMAL Calendars Reminder
Please remember to reserve the room using the equipment calendars. This is not only a courtesy to other users, due to COVID restrictions it is a necessity.

The EDS system on the Field Emission SEM is available for use. This morning, the system was reinstalled, calibrated, and tested. 

10:18 a.m. The AFM is down due to an issue with the AFM head cable.

12:59 p.m. The AFM is back online. Aleister was able to successfully run a test sample.

The XPS repair is coming along well. There was a problem in one of the electronic control boards which has been found and fixed. Now, we are just waiting for the boards to be shipped back. Once the boards have been reinstalled it was confirmed that the problem is fixed, an update will be sent out to the eof-l.

Please contact Dr. Tim Leftwich, if you have any questions or would like to use the XPS once it’s available.

This is just a reminder that the ACMAL facilities will be CLOSED Monday, September 7th 2020, in observance of labor day. This is a university holiday so the building will also be locked. 

Only those with swipe access will be able to use the instruments. 

Please plan your instrument use accordingly.

The FESEM is online. You will need to use the spare sample holder. Please, let me know if you need any help.

The FESEM is offline due to a sample falling into the chamber. I’ll get to it first thing in the morning.

Please review ACMAL’s policy on cleanliness and our COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Below is a brief summary of the key points as well as links to the complete policy and SOP.

ACMAL Cleanliness Policy

• Lab Configuration
  • Do NOT change the computer settings.
    • It is crucial for other users to find the instruments with the default settings.
  • Before exiting the lab after use, return any tools to their default location, and dispose of waste materials.
• Personal Items
  • Remember to save your data on a personal storage device.
  • This is a shared facility, ACMAL is not responsible for, nor can it guarantee, the safekeeping of your personal items, specimens, or data.
• Food and Drink
  • Do not bring food or drink in the microscopy labs.

ACMAL COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure

• Maximum of 2 people in the lab at a time.
  
• You must bring a mask to the lab with you each time you come to work.
  
• Be timely.
  • To minimize the chance of being unable to maintain social distances do NOT come early for your session to give the previous user time to vacate the lab.
  • Finish on time for your session. If you need additional time on the microscope, please update your calendar reservation.

If you have any questions please email me.

The turbo pump was successfully replaced and the ESEM is back online. I’m going to open the calendar for reservations. However, I may need to cancel appointments once the technician confirms their availability.

Please note, I am noticing some noise in higher mag images. We will be having a technician come in sometime in the next couple of weeks for routine maintenance and they will be looking into this as well.