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Usage policies and reservation rules

NMR Instrument Usage Policies  

12/16/2021

Click this link for a brief outline of NMR usage rules 

 

  • Billing
    The user's lab is billed for the usage time recorded by a Kiosk.
     
  • No-show
    User must log into Kiosk within first 8 min of their reservation start time otherwise the reservation is considered 'no-show' and canceled. A no-show is a serious infraction as user's negligence deprives other users of the instrument access. This behavior will be communicated to user's advisor and (for repeated incidents) access to MRRC instruments may be suspended. No-shows are automatically billed for a full time of a reservation.
     
  • Mandatory one-hour interval between reservations
    One hour must pass between consecutive reservations by the same user made on the same instrument on the same schedule. Placing consecutive reservations on two different schedules for the same instrument is allowed.
     
  • Early start
    If the schedule is empty immediately prior to user's time slot, the user is allowed to start Kiosk session earlier up to 9 minutes.
     
  • Extending the current reservation
    Within the last 15 minutes of the reservation end and if there is no other user's reservation immediately after the user's time slot, the user is allowed to click "Extend" button in Kiosk to extend their reservation. Repeated extensions are allowed subject to the same rule: any new extension must be made no earlier than 15 minutes before the current extension ends.
     
  • End time etiquette
    The user must leave the instrument at the end of their reservation if the instrument time immediately after their reservation is booked. Violations (incidents of significantly intruding into another user's time) will be reported to user's PI with a possible suspension of MRRC instrument access.
     
  • Using without booking prohibited
    The MRRC instruments must be used strictly with booking time on a schedule and always logging into Kiosk. Use without booking will be monitored through workstation login/logout records and reported to user's PI with a possible suspension of MRRC instrument access for repeated violations.
     
  • Instrument failure reporting protocol
    • If a user observes some abnormality in the way the instrument functions but still can collect their data, the user should  leave a detailed note upon logout in a screen "Problems with the instrument". MRRC staff will examine the instrument and rectify the problem as soon as practical.
       
    • If the instrument develops a problem that prevents a user from acquiring data, the user should
      1. leave a note about the problem in the Kiosk bottom section "Notes"—to allow MRRC staff to cancel billing for this reservation at the end of the month,

        and
      2. leave a detailed note in a logout screen "Problems with the instrument"—to trigger immediate emails to MRRC staff about the problem.
         
    • If a user could not successfully acquire data yet the instrument is found functional upon inspection, the MRRC staff will provide additional necessary training to improve user's skills.
       
  • What to do with unneeded reservations
    • A reservation may be changed or canceled at any time prior to its start . Please, try to cancel as soon as you learn that you will not need the instrument time—help your peers use the time for their work!
       
    • To remove your reservation:
      • If your time did not start yet - click on your reservation in a Schedule, click icon to edit, and click Delete Reservation button.
      • If your time already started, you should log into Kiosk , start your session and then click Finish. The unused part of a reservation will be deleted automatically.
         

Instrument Time Reservation Rules

NOTE 1: The one-hour interval is required for consecutive reservations for certain schedules. This rule does not apply to extensions of the current time slot through a Kiosk.

NOTE 2: Research requiring specifically timed access to instruments is accommodated on case-by-case basis. Please, contact MRRC staff to schedule.

NOTE 3: All reservations may be made up to two weeks in advance.

 

Stepan 400 (basic NMR training required)

  • Monday-Friday,  8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 10 min minimum, 30 min maximum, 1 hour between consecutive reservations
  • Monday-Friday,  5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, 10 min minimum, 3 hour maximum, 1 hour between consecutive reservations
  • Overnight (any day) , 9:00 pm - 8:00 am, 10 min minimum, no time limit,  no restriction on consecutive reservations
  • Saturday-Sunday, 8:00 am to 9:00 pm, 10 min minimum, 3 hour maximum, 1 hour between consecutive reservations
     

McCourtney 500 (basic NMR training required)

  • Monday-Friday,  8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 10 min minimum, 30 min maximum, 1 hour between consecutive reservations
  • Monday-Friday,  5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, 10 min minimum, 3 hour maximum, 1 hour between consecutive reservations
  • Overnight (any day) , 9:00 pm - 8:00 am, 10 min minimum, no time limit,  no restriction on consecutive reservations
  • Saturday-Sunday, 8:00 am to 9:00 pm, 10 min minimum, 3 hour maximum, 1 hour between consecutive reservations

     

Varian 600 (Varian NMR training required)

  • Monday-Friday,  8:00 am to 9:00 pm, 10 min minimum, 3 hour maximum, 1 hour between consecutive reservations
  • Saturday-Sunday,  8:00 am to 9:00 pm, 10 min minimum, 6 hour maximum, 1 hour between consecutive reservations
  • Overnight use (any day),  9:00 pm to 8:00 am of the next morning, 10 min minimum, no time limit,  no restriction on consecutive reservations
     

Bruker 800 with a Cryoprobe  (ultra-high field NMR training required)

  • The instrument can be reserved for up to a 144 hours (6 days) period during all days of the week, 30 min minimum, no restriction on consecutive reservations. Advance reservations are allowed up to 30 days. The schedule is subject to a periodic review and adjustment by NMR staff to better accommodate multiple user requests.
     

Solid-state JEOL 300 (solid-state NMR training required)

  • The instrument can be reserved for up to a 144 hours  (6 days) period during all days of the week, 30 min minimum, no restriction on consecutive reservations. The schedule is subject to a periodic review and adjustment by NMR staff to better accommodate multiple user requests.
     

Bruker EPR EMX spectrometer (EPR training required)

  • Room temperature measurements: The instrument can be reserved for up to a 6 hours, 15 min minimum, 1 hour between consecutive reservations
  • Cryogenic accessory use: schedule through MRRC staff.