Steps to become a user
Before you begin, please review the user policies. MIT.nano is a shared facility. It is crucial that all researchers strictly adhere to the user policies for the safety of people, projects, and tools. Violation of any of these policies may result in revoked access.
1. Be ready to supply an MIT account number.
Internal users can pay to access MIT.nano facilities and services using an MIT account number (sometimes referred to as a cost object or cost allocation). If you are not sure what account number to use, ask your advisor/PI or your administrator.
2. Register with the MIT.NANO & MTL MUMMS user account/billing system.
New users must create an account and register with the MIT.nano & MTL User Machine Management System (MUMMS), a web-based application that manages user accounts and permissions. During account set-up, you will specify which facilities/laboratories ("services") you wish to access. Select only those that apply. Services will be activated after completing steps 3, 4, and 5 below.
3. Add additional MIT.nano services to your MUMMS account.
Within MUMMS, you can add or remove services at any time under Manage Your Services. Only select those you know you are going to use. Different services have different safety prerequisites; adding more than you need will add additional, unnecessary training requirements. See a step-by-step guide for adding a service.
4. Join the EHS training group and complete all prerequisite training courses.
Each MIT.nano service has an associated training group where training requirements have been identified based on the hazards present in each space.
On your Manage Your Services page in MUMMS, select "Show Details" under prerequisites for each service. There you will find a direct link to the appropriate Atlas training group, which you must join in order to access the associated training prerequisites. After joining the appropriate training group(s), new required training courses will appear in your My Training Needs list.
See a step-by-step guide on activating your services.
Note that prerequisite training for MIT.nano services will only appear in your My Training Needs list if you have joined a training group, as described above.
5. Confirm that your cost object has been approved.
Your cost object must be approved before your MIT.nano services can be activated. Check on its status in your MUMMS account on the View Your User Information page. To resend an approval request to the cost object owner, click "view/modify" next to Charge Allocations. Step-by-step guide for sending a cost object reminder.
6. Familiarize yourself with CORAL.
Once you have completed all required trainings and been qualified on the tool, you can begin reserving time on MIT.nano-managed facilities and equipment.
Common Object Representation for Advanced Laboratories, or CORAL, is your platform to reserve machine time and engage the machines. You can also use CORAL to check tool status, report problems, and communicate results. Access CORAL via the web or download & install the remote version.
7. Follow instructions for specific functional areas.
Visit the pages below to learn of any additional training or requirements specific to different functional areas of MIT.nano:
Accessing Fab.nano (cleanroom processing, 5th floor prototyping)
Accessing Characterization.nano (CryoEM, imaging and analyses, cleanroom metrology)
Now you're ready to start using MIT.nano facilities!
Use this site to find basic information about specific spaces and equipment, including specs and applications. Individual tool pages also specify location, training schedules, and other information. Visit the Fab.nano, Characterization.nano, and Immersion Lab sections to review capabilities and learn more about policies and procedures for access.
Questions? Email us.