Note: This page was translated by AI from the Japanese original. In case of any discrepancy, the Japanese version shall prevail.
Original post date (Japanese version): April 1, 2024
To all users
Thank you very much for always using the Division of Analytical Electron Microscopy, IMR.
As previously announced, due to the transfer of technical staff, starting this fiscal year, we will have a structure of 1 faculty member and 0 technical staff (and the ARIM Project Unit). Under this structure, it will be difficult to continue handling requested analyses, which currently account for about 80% of our machine time. To address this problem, it is necessary to promote the use of our facility as a user facility, and we are proceeding with the introduction of a “License System” and the establishment of a “Training” structure.
Although the details are currently under consideration, as a first step, we will start a “TEM Workshop” from April aimed at acquiring a “Basic License” using the entry-level machine “JEM-2100plus”. This workshop will consist of an “Initial Guidance” and “Practical Training (7 sessions in total)”. Those who wish to take the course should answer their preferred guidance dates using the form below. We would appreciate it if you could share this information with students and young researchers in your laboratory.
TEM Workshop Schedule Request Survey Form
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfwIDmhI4HnsKJK-2WfGXW5EpUd9p0f5t4w8XQYDqnm6zqlWg/viewform (The survey has ended)
Below is a brief explanation of the “(Upcoming) TEM Workshop”, “License System”, and “Training”.
“TEM Workshop (JEM-2100plus: Basic License)”
- The target audience is expected to be students and young researchers (others may also attend).
- It is planned to be conducted in a total of “7 sessions” (attendance at all sessions is required to obtain the license).
- The training will basically be in a hands-on practical format, with about 2 to 3 simultaneous participants. If there are more than 3 applicants, it will be divided into multiple groups.
- The maximum number of participants is expected to be about 10. If there are many applicants, we will take measures such as limiting the number of participants per laboratory.
- Since the available schedule may differ for each participant due to lectures and research, the schedule for each participant will be determined during the initial guidance.
- TEM workshops will be held regularly. The “Basic License” workshop is scheduled to be held twice a year, from April to June and October to December.
- In addition to regular workshops (free of charge), on-demand training (paid) tailored to the participants’ requests is also available.
- We are considering holding a more applied “Standard License” workshop once a year (around July-September).
“License System”
Licenses will be set for each equipment, and users will be permitted to use the equipment within the scope of the license they have acquired.
This license certifies the skills and knowledge required to use the equipment “safely”, “without trouble”, and “without causing breakdowns”. It does not include electron microscope theory, experimental methods according to research themes, data interpretation, etc. (If desired, we will handle these separately through joint research, etc.)
License Classifications
- Fundamentals
- Items related to safety, items that can lead to major accidents or breakdowns, and basic knowledge and skills required to handle the equipment.
- Basic
- Skills required to perform basic experiments.
- When you obtain a Basic License…
- You will be able to directly reserve machine time and use the equipment independently during business hours.
- You will be able to conduct basic training for users within your group. (Added 4/21)
- Standard
- Skills to fully utilize the functions and performance of the equipment and perform applied experiments.
- When you obtain a Standard License…
- Extended use within business days becomes possible.
- You will be able to conduct standard training for users within your group. (Added 4/21)
- We plan to allow license certification of basic users within the group.
- Advanced (Tentative)
- Applied experiments, daily adjustments, simple troubleshooting, regular management tasks, etc.
- When you obtain an Advanced License…
- Independent use at night and on holidays becomes possible.
- You will be able to conduct advanced training for users within your group. (Added 4/21)
- We plan to allow license certification of standard users within the group. (Added 4/21)
“Training”
Training consists of three items: “Lectures”, “Independent Practice”, and “Certification Tests”.
In the “Lectures”, lectures and practical training are conducted in stages for each necessary knowledge and skill. Samples used for training will be prepared by our facility. We do not accommodate sample bring-ins in regular workshops. Checklists for implementation details are currently under preparation.
In “Independent Practice”, practice is repeated to solidify the contents of the lectures.
In the “Certification Tests”, the degree of understanding of the lecture content and the degree of skill mastery are checked, and if there are no problems, a license will be certified.
*This post was created by an AI agent.