MSE Characterization Equipment Training, Access, and Cost

To be authorized to use MSE Characterization equipment, you must have in-person training, accessed by using the following steps outlined below:

First, register for iLab and join a lab in iLab. Undergrads will join the lab for the class they are taking, grad students and researchers should join their PI’s lab. Click below for more information:

2. Join the MSE Safety and Equipment Training Records Canvas course at the button below. Be sure you have taken and are current on the following safety courses:

  • Laboratory Safety: Core Concepts
  • Fire Safety and Fire Extinguisher Training
  • Emergency Response Guide Video
  • Additional training may be required for some equipment

We will access training records in Canvas to insure all our records are in one place and are accessible to those who need to confirm training. For employees of ISU (Faculty, Staff, Professional and scientific, Grad students, and undergrads working for a PI) your research lab training is done through Workday Learn However you may need to retake training in Canvas so we have a record of it.

For undergrads taking a class that requires equipment training outside of lab, your training is handled through Canvas.

If you have previously taken a safety training in Canvas you should be able to press the “Submit” button to record it in the Canvas Course.

3. Complete the training registration form at the button below to fill out your information and indicate which equipment you need to be trained to use. 

You must know the Worktag and Department Detail ID# (if required) that you will use to pay for your equipment use. 

4. Read the equipment Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) found on the MSE SOP CyBox folder here: 

5. MSE Lab Staff will contact you about a training time or inform you of any additional safety or equipment training required before in-person training.  

6. Meet for in person training with MSE Lab Staff (every user must be trained by MSE Lab Staff).

7. Take the Canvas In-Person Equipment Training quiz for the equipment you have trained on to record your completion of training. 

8. Request Key Card access for the lab space (Hoover 3342, 3343, 3347, 3355, 3356, 3362, 3364, 3365 or Gilman 0305, 3113 or 3611) when you have scheduled training or after your training is complete using the button below: 

You may not be given access to the lab until all of your safety training is verified and hands-on equipment training is complete. 

If you have any questions, please contact  mselabs@iastate.edu.

Find current information on labs and equipment at the buttons below:

iLab Registration, SOPs, and Tutorials

MSE uses iLab for equipment scheduling and billing. Please register for an account following the SOP’s below. You can find the website here: 

https://my.ilabsolutions.com/service_center/show_external/4532 

iLab SOP’s:

  • SOP’s For Lab PI’s: 
  • Ames Lab Intramural work: 
  • SOP’s for MSE Lab Course Instructors: 

 

MSE Fee for Service Equipment Information

MSE equipment is available to researchers in and outside the MSE department as well as other users through a Fee for Service system.

Users are required to complete all assigned training including in person training as well as following all safety guidelines and equipment SOPs. The MSE equipment located in a shared space is not accessible when an MSE department class is meeting in that lab. 

External Users

External users are users who are not otherwise affiliated with Iowa State University. External users may be able to access MSE fee for service equipment, however the MSE department is not set up to perform samples for or advise external clients.   

We Suggest external users inquire with one of the other labs on campus who specialize in assisting external users before signing up to use our facilities.  

MSE affiliated centers

Other centers

 

Costs for Fee for Service Equipment

Internal Costs 

Technician costs for all MSE and internal Iowa State users is an additional $40/hour.

  • Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA): $20/hour
  • Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA): $20/hour
  • Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA): $20/hour
  • Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA): $20/hour
  • Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC): $20/hour

  • Saw Cuts: $5/cut
  • Mounting: $7 per hour
  • Polishing: $7 per hour
  • Vibro-energy Mill: $1 per hour

  • Tensile Testing: $25/hour
  • Impact Testing: $2 per sample
  • Micro-hardness Testing: $22 per hour
  • Macro-hardness Testing: $5 per sample

  • FEI Inspect F50 Scanning Electron Microscope: $48/hour
  • Optical Microscopy: $10/hour
  • Technician cost is $40/hour additional charge

  • Our high-temperature furnace designations: 46100, 54500, 46200, 59300
  • All other designations are low-temperature furnaces
  • High temperature (over 1100C) $3/hour
  • Low temperature: $3/hour
  • Longer runs are capped at $200

  • X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD): $15/hour, one-hour minimum
  • Sputter Coating Device: $10 per run: gold, silver, Pt/Pd
  • Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-vis: $10/hour, one-hour minimum
  • 3D Printer: $2/meter filament fee + $5 sign in fee
  • GPC: $10/hour, one-hour minimum
  • Zetasizer: $10/hour, one-hour minimum
  • Lab Chemicals/Supplies: As used
  • Miscellaneous equipment: Cost is as agreed upon by user and Lab Coordinator

External Costs

Equipment listed on the Centers and Laboratories webpage may be available to those outside of the university/industry partners depending on current lab capacity. Please contact mselabs@iastate.edu for questions or inquiries.

External rates are double the listed internal rates.

Technician assistance for all external users is an additional $80/hour.

Equipment SOPs

SOP’s are available for most of the pieces of equipment used in the MSE fee for Service system. 

The SOP’s serviced by the MSE Department staff represent the most common usages and may not reflect the needs of all researchers. Outside researchers may be required to provide an edited SOP outlining their usage of MSE equipment before they are allowed to use MSE Department equipment.   

Access the current SOP’s here: