The mission of the SoMF is to provide the infrastructure and centralized resources for students and faculty across campus in support of their research and educational goals. The facility also welcomes collaboration efforts with other universities as well as industry.
1) User Training Policy
- To schedule instrument training, it is recommended that users reach out directly to SoMF staff via email or use the Contact Us feature. Scheduling training on iLab is not encouraged due to communication delays.
- After reaching out to the SoMF staff, please allow 1-2 business days for responses, as the staff will need to schedule a time for an in-person training that fits their schedule, as well as the equipment schedule. Most of the equipment is in high demand, so patience from the users is highly appreciated. We are doing our best to accommodate everyone’s needs.
- The amount of training required varies depending on the instrument.
- Faculty will be invoiced at the end of every month for instrument use, supplies, training, and consulting.
2. Assisted Use Policy
- SoMF staff will perform the experiments for the users who requested the assisted use.
- Please contact SoMF staff directly via email or use the Contact Us feature to schedule the assisted use.
- Time-sensitive assisted use requests must be communicated to the SoMF staff at least one week in advance so that the staff can coordinate based on their availability and the equipment schedule. An expedited fee will be applied if the test result is requested within 48 hours. The duration of the measurements will depend on the requested tests and will be communicated to the users.
- Most of the equipment is in high demand, so patience from the users is highly appreciated. We are doing our best to accommodate everyone’s needs.
3. Data Responsibility
- Users are responsible for collecting and storing the data from their measurements.
- Softer Matter Facility will not be responsible for data loss/damage once the user leaves the SoMF building.
4. Drop-off Policy
- Samples requested through assisted-use (SAXS, TGA, GPC, etc) may be dropped off anytime during business hours.
- Users is recommended to take a picture of the samples and send it to staff via email (including placement on the shelf, etc) or directly hand them to staff.
5. Equipment Usage Policy (DSC/TGA/DMA/GPC)
- To make changes regarding equipment scheduling, users should reach out directly to SOMF staff via email, and not through iLab system.
- These systems are in high demand and also very time-consuming. Therefore, please bear with us as we are doing our best to accommodate everyone’s needs.
- For time-sensitive samples, users will have priority if they already reserve the time. However, this also needs to be communicated with SOMF staff ahead of time, and users must put a note on the computer saying this is due to a time-sensitive experiment and move their samples forward in the queue (but do NOT remove or delete the queued samples).
Additional rules for TGA and DMA (Google Docs Policy):
- Users must update the designated Google Docs with the picture of TGA pans and DMA stages upon using.
- If the Google Docs is not updated and damages occur, the responsible user will be fully charged for repair costs.
- TGA pans: Users must upload a photo of the sample holder to the designated Google Docs. Extra care should be taken to avoid bending the handle of the holder during use.
- DMA stages: Users must upload photos to the Google Docs before use, after changing clamps, and after finishing measurements. Clamps have frequently been damaged by the users. Such damage cuases significant delays in instrument availability.
6. Damage to an Instrument & Consumables Policy
In the event of damage to an instrument or expensive consumables (e.g., TGA pans) that clearly resulted from a user’s failure to adhere to established operating protocols and training instructions, the PI of the user group will be expected to pay for repairs not covered by service contracts. The staff will notify the PI of the incident and charges.
7. Acknowledgement Policy
SoMF users who have incorporated data obtained from SoMF resources into publications and presentations will acknowledge the SoMF facility and personnel who contributed.
Research using the SoMF facility falls into two categories:
- Routine staff assistance / General facility use
When PIs and their associates carry out the research and SoMF staff only provide routine procedures or methods, the resulting publications must acknowledge both the facility and the individual staff member. The acknowledgement should read:
“Use of the Texas A&M University Soft Matter Facility (RRID:SCR_022482) is acknowledged.” - Significant intellectual contribution from staff
When SoMF staff contribute to develop and implement original techniques, experimental design, interpretation, or other significant intellectual input, co-authorship of the staff member is required along with acknowledgement of the facility. The acknowledgement should read:
“Use of the Texas A&M University Soft Matter Facility (RRID:SCR_022482) and contribution of Dr. ____________ are acknowledged.”
It is important that you properly acknowledge us using the above RRID moving forward. This will help us find publications that have used our facility easily. Additionally, we cannot continue to exist and be valuable to the Texas A&M University research mission without acknowledgements that prove our worth.