[Notice: This English guide has been prepared with AI assistance based on the official Japanese announcement. For authoritative operational inquiries, please contact the laboratory administration.]
[Important] Basic Principles for Saving and Retrieving Experimental Data
Experimental data obtained from electron microscopes and processing instruments in the Division of Analytical Electron Microscopy must be promptly transferred and retrieved via the network storage (Instrument NAS / AEM-FS) or via the dedicated data retrieval PC.
* Data stored on instrument control PCs and data retrieval PCs may be deleted without prior notice due to administrative necessity. Please save required data to the Instrument NAS or retrieve it promptly yourself. Users are strictly responsible for backing up their own data.
1. Data Retrieval Channels and Access Conditions (Overview)
Our facility provides the following methods for retrieving experimental data. Please select the appropriate method depending on your network environment and requirements.
| System / Service | Inside Institute (IMR) | Outside IMR / Campus LAN | Off-Campus (Internet) | Access Conditions / Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instrument NAS (File Station) | Available | Not Available | Not Available | Common Login + Institute LAN |
| AEM-FS (Web UI) | Available | Available | No Direct Access | Common Login + Campus LAN (TAINS) |
| Nextcloud (Off-Campus Retrieval) | Available | Available | Available (Application Req.) | Common Login + Prior Application & Approval |
| FileSender (Large File Transfer) | Available | Available | Available | Common Login Only (No storage app needed) |
| Data Retrieval PC | On-site Only | – | – | No account required (Save to USB flash drive) |
* “Inside Institute” refers to the Institute for Materials Research (IMR). “Outside IMR / Campus LAN” includes other departments and campuses across Tohoku University connected to TAINS (130.34.0.0/16). “Off-Campus” refers to the general public internet.
2. Data Management Policy on Instrument Control PCs and Retrieval PCs
To ensure system security and operational integrity, the following rules are strictly enforced:
- Data Deletion Without Notice: Data remaining on instrument control PCs and data retrieval PCs may be deleted without prior notice for administrative purposes (e.g. storage space maintenance). Using these computers for long-term storage is strictly prohibited.
- USB Flash Drive Prohibition on Control PCs: Connecting USB flash drives directly to instrument control PCs is strictly prohibited to prevent malware infection and operational malfunction.
- Data Transfer Procedure: Transfer required experimental data to the Instrument NAS upon finishing experiments, or take it with you via the data retrieval PC.
- Backup Responsibility: Users bear full responsibility for backing up their own data.
3. Data Retrieval from Campus Network (AEM-FS)
AEM-FS is the central file sharing server accessible from Tohoku University’s campus network. Data saved on the Instrument NAS is automatically synchronized to AEM-FS.
- Access URL: https://aem-fs.imr.tohoku.ac.jp/
- Eligible Locations: Tohoku University Campus Network (TAINS) (including departments outside IMR).
- Login: Enter your Common Login username and password.
- Off-Campus Direct Access Restriction: Direct access from outside the university network is not provided in accordance with our security policy.
4. Data Retrieval from Institute Network (Instrument NAS)
From the local network inside IMR, users can directly access the web interface (File Station) of the Instrument NAS attached to each microscope:
- JEM-ARM200F W Collector: http://aem-nas-arm.imr.tohoku.ac.jp:8080
- JEM-ARM200F STEM Collector: http://aem-nas-arm2.imr.tohoku.ac.jp:8080/cgi-bin/
- JEM-2100plus: http://aem-nas-2100.imr.tohoku.ac.jp:8080
- FIB (VERSA / QUANTA): http://aem-nas-fib.imr.tohoku.ac.jp:8080
- XRD / DSC: http://aem-nas-xrd.imr.tohoku.ac.jp:8080
* Instrument NAS devices are accessible strictly within the IMR local network. They cannot be reached from outside IMR or from the general internet.
5. Off-Campus Data Retrieval (Nextcloud *Application Required)
If you need to retrieve experimental data stored on AEM-FS while working off-campus (e.g. from home or business trips), access via Nextcloud is available upon request.
[Notice] Individual Application and Approval Required
Nextcloud access is not enabled by simply obtaining a Common Login account. If you wish to retrieve experimental data from outside campus, please contact the Division of Analytical Electron Microscopy staff. After verifying eligibility and granting approval, connection instructions will be provided. (The direct URL is not publicly listed on general web pages.)
Best-Effort Provision: Nextcloud is operated on a best-effort basis without guarantees of uptime or transfer speed. Service interruptions or reduced performance may occur. It must not be used as a permanent storage location; please download required files promptly to your own device.
6. Temporary Large File Transfer (FileSender)
For transferring large files to external collaborators or your external email address, FileSender is available from off-campus.
- Access URL: https://aem-www.imr.tohoku.ac.jp/filesender/
- Access Condition: Available immediately with your Common Login account (no separate storage application required).
- Functionality: Upload large files that cannot be attached to emails and generate secure, temporary download links.
Best-Effort Provision: FileSender is provided on a best-effort basis for temporary file transfer. Files are retained for a limited duration and are not stored permanently. Users must maintain their own local backups.
* This page has been translated and updated with AI assistance in accordance with official operational policies.