User Information

1. Contact the facility manager for the specific instrumentation you are interested in to discuss project feasibility and instrument access. For available training courses, register through UTLearn. If the required training course is not listed in UTLearn, please contact the facility manager directly by email to arrange training.

   • AFM Facility: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • Cleanroom Facility: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • Ion Milling Facility: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • Polymer Characterization Facility (DLS, TGA): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • Metrology (Profilometry) Facility: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • SEM Facility: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • Spectroscopy: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (FTIR), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (UVVIS Spectrometer, Fluorimeter, Renishaw Raman)
   • STM Facility: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • TEM Facility: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • X-ray Diffraction Facility: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

2. Users should be aware that, before entering TMI laboratories, they must complete the required online safety training courses through the UTLearn portal.

   • OH 101 Hazard Communication (General) - Required for all lab personnel working with or around hazardous chemicals.
   • OH 201 Laboratory Safety - Required for all lab personnel working with hazardous chemicals or biological materials.
   • OH 202 Hazardous Waste Management - Required for all personnel, including faculty, staff, and students who work in a laboratory using hazardous chemicals or biological materials.
   • OH 238 Laboratory Safety Refresher - Required 3 years after OH 201 is completed for all lab personnel working with hazardous chemicals or biological materials and every 3 years thereafter.
   • FF 205 Fire Extinguisher Use - Take either the online or the event class. The event class is offered only once a month. Please register in advance.
   • OH 204 Compressed Gases - This training provides information on how to safely handle and use compressed gases.
   • OH 241 Cryogen Safety - This training provides a general overview for the use of cryogens.
   • OH 306 X-Ray Safety - This training provides a general overview for the use of X-rays.
   • In addition, the OH 102 Hazard Communication (Site-Specific) will be covered by each TMI facility manager as part of the specific instrument training.
   • Acknowledge TMI: User Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Policy.

3. Training classes posted in UTLearn list the safety classes listed below as prerequisites. Be sure to complete all required safety classes before attempting to register for any instrumentation-specific training classes.

   To register for an instrumentation-specific training class in UTLearn, follow these steps:

   • Log in to UTLearn using your UT EID.
   • In the Global Search field, search for “TMI.”
   • From the search results, select the desired training class.
   • Select the “Select a Session” tab.
   • Select “View Details.”
   • Click “Request.”
   • A confirmation email will be sent to the user if the registration was successful.

The training will cover instructions on how to make and cancel reservations in Facility Billing System (FBS), theoretical aspects of the technique, and how to use the instrument. FBS is an internet-based platform that TMI, and many other user facilities at UT, use to manage instrument reservations and for billing purposes. Training materials in the form of Standard Operating Procedures and instrument manuals will be made available to users.

4. The first session on the instrument after training may be supervised. Some of the facilities will also require a certification session. Details on this will be discussed during the training session.
5. For after-hours access to either FNT or EER, send an email with your EID to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
6. TMI facilities are open 24/7. Restrictions may apply for particular facilities and will be communicated to you during the training session.

1. At the beginning of the training session, the facility manager will add you to the FBS, if not already there.
2. Make sure that the email you give the facility manager to get added to FBS is the same email that is linked to your UT EID.
3. To make reservations, access FBS
   • Sign in using your UT EID.
   • Go to User/Schedule → new window
   • Under Resource, select the name of the facility → new window
   • Select the date by clicking on the calendar → new window
   • Select the starting time → new window
   • Enter the end time; the Lab and Requestor are already selected. Enter your group’s 10-digit account number (no dashes). Make sure the account is still valid or your reservation will not be accepted by the system.
   • Press Save changes.
   • A confirmation email will be sent to your email address.
   • Depending on the resource, the reservation can be deleted or changed without being invoiced. The details about the policy on reservation changes will be communicated to you during the training session.

1. The hourly rate for each TMI instrument is set by VPR's Office and approved every few years or whenever new instrumentation becomes available. The hourly fees are available on the instrumentation pages.
2. If some of the FBS entries need to be modified because of instrument issues, please make sure to inform the facility manager promptly via email.
3. Following the close of each month of usage, invoices generated from the FBS data will be sent to your PI. Changes to the invoices are still possible at this time, including changing the account number for particular charges. Please send an email to TMI Admin (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and copy the facility manager for the particular instrument.

1. Contact the facility manager for the specific instrumentation you are interested in to discuss project feasibility and instrument access.

   • AFM Facility: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • Cleanroom Facility: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • Ion Milling Facility: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • Polymer Characterization Facility (DLS, TGA): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • Metrology (Profilometry) Facility: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • SEM Facility: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • Spectroscopy: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (FTIR), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (UVVIS Spectrometer, Fluorimeter, Renishaw Raman)
   • STM Facility: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • TEM Facility: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • X-ray Diffraction Facility: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   • X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2. If the project is feasible, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to proceed with the execution of a Service Agreement.
3. Obtain a UT EID.

4. Users should be aware that, before entering TMI laboratories, they must complete the required online safety training courses through the UTLearn portal.

   • OH 101 Hazard Communication (General) - Required for all lab personnel working with or around hazardous chemicals.
   • OH 201 Laboratory Safety - Required for all lab personnel working with hazardous chemicals or biological materials.
   • OH 202 Hazardous Waste Management - Required for all personnel, including faculty, staff, and students who work in a laboratory using hazardous chemicals or biological materials.
   • OH 238 Laboratory Safety Refresher - Required 3 years after OH 201 is completed for all lab personnel working with hazardous chemicals or biological materials and every 3 years thereafter.
   • FF 205 Fire Extinguisher Use - Take either the online or the event class. The event class is offered only once a month. Please register in advance.
   • OH 204 Compressed Gases - This training provides information on how to safely handle and use compressed gases.
   • OH 241 Cryogen Safety - This training provides a general overview for the use of cryogens.
   • OH 306 X-Ray Safety - This training provides a general overview for the use of X-rays.
   • In addition, the OH 102 Hazard Communication (Site-Specific) will be covered by each TMI facility manager as part of the specific instrument training.
   • Acknowledge TMI: User Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Policy.

5. Training classes posted in UTLearn list the safety classes listed below as prerequisites. Be sure to complete all required safety classes before attempting to register for any instrumentation-specific training classes.

   To register for an instrumentation-specific training class in UTLearn, follow these steps:

   • Log in to UTLearn using your UT EID.
   • In the Global Search field, search for “TMI.”
   • From the search results, select the desired training class.
   • Select the “Select a Session” tab.
   • Select “View Details.”
   • Click “Request.”
   • A confirmation email will be sent to the user if the registration was successful.

The training will cover instructions on how to make and cancel reservations in Facility Billing System (FBS), theoretical aspects of the technique, and how to use the instrument. FBS is an internet-based platform that TMI, and many other user facilities at UT, use to manage instrument reservations and for billing purposes. Training materials in the form of Standard Operating Procedures and instrument manuals will be made available to users.

6. The first session on the instrument after training may be supervised. Some of the facilities will also require a certification session. Details on this will be discussed during the training session.
7. For after-hours access to either FNT or EER, send an email with your EID to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. An affiliated position with TMI will need to be created which will involve obtaining a background check.

1. At the beginning of the training session, the facility manager will add you to the FBS, if not already there.
2. Make sure that the email you give the facility manager to get added to FBS is the same email that is linked to your UT EID.
3. To make reservations, access FBS
   • Sign in using your UT EID.
   • Go to User/Schedule → new window
   • Under Resource, select the name of the facility → new window
   • Select the date by clicking on the calendar → new window
   • Select the starting time → new window
   • Enter the end time; the Lab and Requestor are already selected. Enter your group’s 10-digit account number (no dashes). Make sure the account is still valid or your reservation will not be accepted by the system.
   • Press Save changes.
   • A confirmation email will be sent to your email address.
   • Depending on the resource, the reservation can be deleted or changed without being invoiced. The details about the policy on reservation changes will be communicated to you during the training session.

1. The hourly rate for each TMI instrument is set by UT’s Office of Accounting and approved every 3 years or whenever new instrumentation becomes available. The hourly fees are available on the instrumentation pages.
2. If some of the FBS entries need to be modified because of instrument issues, please make sure to inform the facility manager promptly via email.
3. Following the close of each month of usage, invoices generated from the FBS data will be sent via email to your company.
4. The usual way to pay the invoices is by check or ACH, with payment due net 30. Details about how to pay for the invoice will be included in the invoice.
5. For all billing inquiries, please contact TMI Admin: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.