Working in the Cleanrooms
To become a new user of the cleanrooms, you must first attend an orientation session.

New user orientation sessions are offered on the first Wednesday and third Thursday of each month at 9am. Sessions meet just outside the east doors of the Physics & Nanotechnology Building (adjacent to Keller and Akerman Halls). Contact mnc@umn.edu with any questions or concerns.

Becoming a New Cleanroom User

All steps must be completed before orientation.

1. Register for New User Orientation.

  • Must register for orientation, complete all courses, and fill out all forms by two business days before the New User Orientation session you plan to attend.

2. Complete the prerequisite Department of Environmental Health and Safety (DEHS) courses through the Training Hub.

Non-UMN users

Create a Training Hub guest account before accessing UMN online training.

DEHS courses

*These courses need to be taken through the Training Hub. If you have taken them in the past through a different training portal you will need to retake them through the Training Hub before you can get access to New User Training.

3. Complete the online New User Training course.

*If you have not completed the prerequisite courses, you will not be able to enroll in this course.

4. Sign up for a Badger account.

5. UMN users.

Email a signed copy of the Account Change form to mnc@umn.edu prior to New User Orientation.

  • The budget string on this form will be used for your lab charges. Have this signed by your advisor or supervisor.

6. Non-UMN users.

A purchase order, UMN Lab Use Agreement, and Certificate of Liability Insurance are required.

  • Please contact Nano Center Staff at 612 624-8005 or at mnc@umn.edu for a copy of the Lab Use Agreement and further instructions.

7. Fill out the NNCI facility user profile.

8. Complete the New User Orientation session.

  • You will receive chemical safety training, and get a tour of the MNC cleanrooms.
  • Wear appropriate clothing:
    Long pants and a shirt with sleeves.
    Closed toe shoes and hair tied back.

To Request Equipment Training

The Nano Center has a large set of equipment and tools for micro- and nanofabrication in its two cleanrooms. Special training is required to use most of our tools.

Once you have completed new user orientation, you can request tool training by going to our Equipment training page.