University of Minnesota users
Most users seek training for independent use of instruments. The steps to begin that process are detailed in the section below (beginning at STEP 1).
Initial interactions require discussing the general appropriateness of our instrumentation and methods to your research problem, as well as assessing any previous experience with similar instrumentation.
Rate Information
CharFac charges UMN researchers hourly fees to use the instrumentation (partially defraying operations costs, i.e., not the purchase of equipment), plus additional fees to tap staff expertise. UMN researchers utilize CharFac at rates significantly below operational costs because CharFac receives operations funding from multiple UMN colleges. To accomplish this feat we have digital systems in place to track and compile usage and charges. These systems are introduced in training and should not be abused by users (to avoid loss of user privileges). Our UMN rate sheet details various pricing scenarios.
How do UMN users start to work with the Characterization Facility?
STEP 1: Register in Infinity
CharFac uses the Infinity X Core Management System for reservations and account management. Please click on the following link to access the Infinity login page:
https://infinity.ideaelan.com/charfac/auth/login
From there, click on the blue SSO (Single Sign-On) button, which will allow you to log in with your UMN credentials:
Upon logging in for the first time, you will be brought to the User Wizard, which will walk through requesting access to your lab(s) (listed by advisor/PI) and to the facility. Please be sure that you request access to your lab as well as the Characterization facility itself (on the following page). The facility request will initiate a required form that includes reading and accepting our user agreement and safety training requirements.
Once you have submitted your facility access request, CharFac staff will review to ensure the forms are complete and then approve the request. You will receive an automated email once this is complete.
EFS accounts already in the system and associated with your lab will be active. If you need to add a new EFS account, please work with your departmental accounting staff to complete a Billing Information Form and submit to [email protected] so it can be added.
STEP 2: Request instrument training
Once your facility access has been approved, you will be able to view and request access to instruments in the facility. Click on the "Instruments" tab on the left-hand side of the screen. Click on the "Request Access" button for a given instrument/technique, and a form will populate with some preliminary questions. Once you have answered the questions and submitted the form, it will route to the staff scientist in charge of that instrument.
The staff scientist will review your responses and reach out to either schedule your training or request additional information as needed.
Alternatively, if analytical services/collaboration is determined to be the better route, the email thread will proceed in this direction and all further discussion will be with the staff scientist.
If you are unsure of which instrument(s) you require, please contact the staff scientist in the area(s) you are interested in. You can find the contact information on the instrument pages or on our Scientific Staff directory. Please provide detailed information per the guidance document linked on that page.
STEP 3: Independent usage
Once your instrument training has been completed, the staff scientist in charge of that instrument will grant access to reserve it through the system for independent usage.
If you have already registered and are now seeking training on an additional instrument, simply request access to the additional instrument(s) directly through Infinity.