Access and Training
Working with Microscopes in the Facility
WEMS supports a range of access routes, from one-off measurements carried out by facility staff to independent instrument use by trained users. Prospective users are encouraged to contact WEMS staff early to discuss their project, samples, experience level and timescale, so that we can recommend the most appropriate microscope, technique and training pathway.
| Type of EM Access required | Typical access route |
|---|---|
| One-off EM session or short feasibility study | Grant/PO from user, measurement done by WEMS or EMG staff |
| Several EM sessions required to complete work (multiple specimens, different experiments, etc.) | Grant/PO from user, user is trained by WEMS staff until independent on the instrument |
| Moderate amount of EM, advanced applications | Grant/PO from user, measurement done by/with WEMS or EMG staff as academic collaboration depending on availability |
Direct access to WEMS
Users wishing to access WEMS should first create a profile on PPMS and complete the relevant WEMS Training Request Form: SEM, FIB/SEM, TEM, or Advanced Techniques. External and non-MSM users should also arrange a purchase order for an appropriate amount of microscope time. WEMS staff will then contact the user to discuss the request and arrange training or access. Note that initial training includes a WEMS Health and Safety induction which is mandatory for all users.
How to request access:
- Prospective user creates a user profile on PPMS at https://ppms.eu/cambridge/login/?pf=10
- External (non-MSM) users arrange a purchase order for a sufficient amount of microscopy time (i.e. 10 hours on Nova NanoSEM = 590 GBP) with wemsadmin@msm.cam.ac.uk (Note: users are invoiced only after chargeable microscope hours have been recorded)
- User fills in the WEMS Training Requests Form(s) on PPMS choosing between: FIB/SEM, SEM, TEM forms (for novices and new users of the Facility) or Advanced Techniques (for experienced users of the facility). If you have been told that your PPMS account is linked to a PPMS Project, you should request training using the form WEMS 5 - Training requests for PPMS Project users. Direct link (you need to login to PPMS first): here
- WEMS staff will contact the user to arrange training sessions
- Training (normally 2-5 sessions for new users, depending on needs) takes place. This ends when the EM driving test is completed successfully
- After the driving test, the user is normally given autonomous status and allowed to book sessions on their own
- At the end of each month, grant codes (MSM) are charged or external users are invoiced.
Training and Access Requests
Due to the complex operation of a TEM, users requiring training on an instrument are encouraged, if they have no prior experience, to attend a TEM course or to consult relevant resources and textbooks (this is not compulsory, please do get in touch anyway!). MSM runs graduate courses on SEM, TEM and microanalysis in Michaelmas Term, which are open to students and postdocs from all departments. Please contact the academic secretary, Dr Rosie Ward (remw2), if you are interested in attending these courses.
If you are new to electron microscopy, a meeting will be arranged to discuss your training schedule.
If you are a trained user of equivalent microscopes in other facilities, a meeting will be arranged to discuss your access needs and our local procedures.
Note to Supervisors:
To help us recommend the right access route, users and supervisors should provide clear information about the project aims, sample type, preparation state, required techniques, previous EM experience and any time constraints. Incomplete information can delay training or access, because it may not be clear which microscope, workflow or level of support is most appropriate. Please encourage students to get in touch!
Facility Charges
Click here to see the current charges for using the electron microscopes.
For internal and external users interested in costing electron microscopy experiments for research grant proposals, please contact Dr John Walmsley, WEMS Facility Manager, at jcw80@cam.ac.uk.