Becoming a New MNC User

All steps must be completed before orientation.

1. Complete the prerequisite Department of Environmental Health and Safety (DEHS) courses through the University of Minnesota Training Hub:

Non-UMN users:

DEHS course for all users:

DEHS courses for Bio-Nano users:

Note: Even if you’ve completed these elsewhere, you must retake them through the UMN Training Hub.

2. Complete the appropriate online MNC training course:

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

3. Sign up for a Badger account:

4. Set up your billing account:

  UMN users: Download the EFS Account Change Form, fill it out with the correct account number for billing, and have it signed by your advisor and department accounting staff. Email the signed, completed form to [email protected].

   Non-UMN users: we will first need to execute a Lab Use Agreement with your organization. Once that is done, we'll need a) a purchase order to cover expected costs, and b) a certificate of liability coverage from your insurance provider.

Please contact Nano Center Staff at 612 624-8005 or at [email protected] for a copy of the Lab Use Agreement and further instructions.

5. Fill out the NNCI facility user profile:

6. New User Orientation 

Sessions meet in the lobby of the Physics & Nanotechnology Building. You will receive relevant safety training and get a tour of that respective laboratory or the cleanrooms, depending on the orientation you signed up for. Wear appropriate clothing: long pants, a shirt with sleeves, closed toe shoes, and hair tied back.

  • Pre-requisites: 
    • Complete all relevant safety courses (steps 1 and 2)
    • Create a Badger LMS account (step 3)
    • Fill out all forms two business days before the date of the New User Orientation session you plan to attend (steps 4 and 5)
  • Orientation schedule:
    • Cleanroom (both Keller and PAN) orientation is offered on the first Wednesday and third Thursday of each month at 9am.
    • Bio-Nano Laboratory (PAN 181) orientation is offered even weeks on Tuesday at 2:00 pm, and odd weeks on Wednesday at 9:00 am.
    • Nanomaterials Characterization Laboratory (PAN 185) orientation is offered odd weeks on Tuesday at 2:30 pm, and odd weeks on Wednesday at 9:30 am.
  • Register for orientation using this link.
  • Notes
    • There is a limit of 5 users per orientation session. 
    • Cleanrooms: Re-orientation is required if you have not been in the cleanroom for over a year.
    • Cleanrooms: Your assigned cleanroom cubby/bin will be re-assigned to another user if you have not used the cleanroom in six months and you will be assigned a new one upon your return.

To Request Equipment Training

Special training is required to use most of our tools. The Minnesota Nano Center has a large set of tools and training can be requested.