Read the criteria for external non-academic projects.
Read the criteria for external academic or government projects.
Whether from industry, government, or other academic institutions, external researchers must follow these initial steps in the order listed to become users of MIT.nano.
1A. Inquire about using MIT.nano.
OPTIONAL: If you have questions, submit an inquiry form. Let us know basic information about who you are, what you hope to work on at MIT.nano, and what equipment/capabilities you need so that our technical staff can guide you.
If you have the information you need to proceed, move on to the next step.
1B. Inquire about a user agreement.
Determine whether or not your institution has a user agreement in place with MIT.nano. If not, send the user services agreement (download) to an individual within your institution who has signing authority. Have that person contact MIT.nano's Administrative Officer, Kathy Boisvert, to complete the process. Please note only one user agreement is needed per institution. You will be notified when your agreement is executed. Please do not proceed beyond step 1B until you received a notification.
1C. Submit access request form and upload your PO.
External users must provide a valid purchase order (PO) from their company/institution, approved by their supervisor or other entity authorized to provide approval. Have this document ready before filling out the Access Request form.
An MIT ID number and Kerberos account are required to register as an MIT.nano user. If you do not already have an MIT Kerberos identity, submitting this form will start the process for obtaining one from central MIT systems. What's the difference between an MIT ID, Kerberos, and MUMMS account?
>>>Use the access request form to upload your purchase order and begin the access process.
After obtaining an MIT ID/Kerberos login and receiving confirmation that your purchase order has been processed, continue with the following steps.
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 and 4 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. 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.
6. 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.