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General Policies


All publications containing/describing results obtained in the CharFac must include the following acknowledgment: "Parts of this work were carried out in the Institute of Technology Characterization Facility, University of Minnesota, which receives partial support from NSF through the NNIN program."


You must have a valid budget number and appropriate training on the instruments before using them without assistance.  Once you have been trained, you may not train co-workers.  Everyone must be trained by a Characterization Facility staff member - cross-training of new users by existing users is not allowed.  Furthermore, you must notify us of any changes to your account, i.e., new budget number, phone number, departure from the University, etc.

  • There is a 48-hour cancellation policy for instrument time.
    Sessions cancelled less than 48 hours in advance will be charged in full.
  • Instrument time is charged in 30-minute increments.  Some instruments have a 1-hour or 2-hour minimum time slot.
  • Assistance time is charged in 30-minute increments.
  • All users not scheduling and using the instrument within 2 weeks of training must schedule (and pay for) an additional assistance session.
  • All users that have a lapse of 3 months or more in their usage MUST FIRST e-mail the specialist for permission to use the instrument and at the specialist's discretion, schedule an initial assisted session of up to 2 hours to reinforce their operation skills.


These items are not allowed in the facility:

  • Food or drink
  • Wet shoes or boots
  • Chemicals, unless you get specific permission and training from our safety officer.


You must adhere to these rules:

  1. Sign in on the instrument using the Charfac Web sign-in at the beginning of your session and don't forget to sign out after you log off the instrument computer.
  2. Make note of any problems
  3. Report all breakages to staff as soon as possible
  4. Bring SEM samples to be coated at least 24 hours before session time
  5. Do not leave samples or chemicals on lab benches
  6. Clearly label all chemicals and hazardous waste with the date, your name, and your code number
  7. Each user should have her/his own security card.  NO SHARING!
    (Card applications are available at the front desk in room 12.  There is a $25 deposit that is refundable at the bursar's office after returning the card to room 12 before you leave.  Only the original user may claim the deposit using their student/staff ID card, so please return it a few days prior to departure from the U.


Using Facility Printers and Computers

Please review the University's policy on Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources.

Please note: We have no permanent data storage facilities.  Do not store your data files on the computers of the file servers in the facility.  Files more than one month old are subject to erasure without prior notice.

Printers and computers are for facility use and research ONLY.
DO NOT use them for any other personal, professional, or academic affairs.

When using a printer PLEASE use the correct medium for that printer.

  • The HP 5000 can print onto transparency material designed for 180C (156° F) temperatures or less - provided that the paper type is set to transparency.  If the paper type is set to paper the printer gets much hotter and the transparency melts!

For all of the printers, the loading procedure for paper is printed on the paper/transparency trays.  FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.  Most of the problems we have had with the printers jamming arise because someone has just stuffed paper into the trays without making sure it is loaded correctly.

Most printers are currently freely accessible to everyone 24 hours a day.  The HP 3500 color laser is in room 12 where the staff can look after it, and is not available in the evenings or on weekends.  This is an inconvenience for the staff as well as the users, but it is there due to the abuse of our policy by evening and weekend users.


For your convenience...

We sell a variety of supplies including: SPM probes and specimen discs, lapping film, CR-R and DVD+R and -R discs.


We have a limited number of storage drawers and cabinets for use by frequent users.  Please see the Front Office staff to request an application.  A $25 deposit to cover key loss and cleanup is required.  When you no longer require the storage, please empty the drawer/cabinet and return the key to room 12 for your deposit refund slip, that can then be redeemed at the Bursar's Office in Williamson Hall.


Thank you for your cooperation and adherance to these policies.