General FAQ
- Can anyone use the SIF?
-
The Sensitive Instrument Facility is not a user facility and cannot be accessed by anyone. Those with an Ames National Laboratory or Iowa State University association are able to become SIF users. If you are an external collaborator, we can work with you through a Strategic Partnership Program (SPP); please see more information here.
- How do I become a new user?
-
To become a new user, you will need to complete our ______(MESA) form. Please see this link for more information.
Location and Transportation
- Where is the Sensitive Instrument Facility located?
-
The SIF is located northwest of the main Iowa State University campus, off Ontario Street.
1901 Scholl Road
Ames, Iowa
50011 - Where can I park?
-
Parking tags are available to accommodate all those wishing to use the SIF. Tags can be checked out from the SIF Front Desk. These must be returned after the visit to SIF is complete.
Both Ames National Laboratory and Iowa State Faculty & Staff permits are accepted in Lot 101, located directly in front of the SIF. Extra parking is available in Lot 104, north of the SIF.
Students with commuter tags can park in Lot 104 north of the SIF.
- Which CyRide route will bring me to the SIF?
-
CyRide #2 Green stops Ontario and Scholl road. Riders can walk down Scholl to arrive at our building. Fares, maps, and schedules are available at the CyRide Website.
- How should I transport my sample to the SIF?
-
As the Sensitive Instrument Facility (SIF) is located off the main campus, it is accessible only by travel on public roads. Thus, all samples must be cleared for packaging and transportation by the Ames Laboratory Shipping Office in accordance with Department of Transportation (DOT) policy.
It is critical that every SIF user transports their sample appropriately to and from the SIF. Our Ames National Laboratory Shipping Department reviews each sample and categorizes them according to regulatory safety protocols. Some samples may be transported to the SIF without being packaged, and some samples must be transported in tested and approved packaging. Each user is responsible for taking the appropriate precautions to ensure proper sample packaging and transportation. For more information or instructions, please see the SIF Transport Rules link under Useful Links.
All materials submitted on MESA or Materials Processing Requests forms will be reviewed by the Shipping Office. You do not need to submit them separately.
All shipments are to be approved by the shipping department to ensure proper packaging and transportation is identified. Failure to follow outlined requirements for proper transportation and packaging of hazardous materials can result in DOT civil penalties of up to $55,000 ($100,000 in the case of death) and criminal penalties including fines and imprisonment up to 5 years (10 years if there was release of a hazardous material or death).
FAQ for users
- What are the current rates at the SIF?
-
Effective October 1, 2024:
SEM equipment use (Teneo and Helios) $126.00/hr plus applicable overhead.
TEM equipment use (Tecnai and Titan) $122.00/hr plus applicable overhead.
Labor (includes training) $185.00/hr plus applicable overhead.
Iowa State University Users
Please reach out to Danielle Tiarks (dtiarks@ameslab.gov) for questions regarding rates for Iowa State University work tags. - What are the training requirements before I can use the SIF?
-
Every new user must complete the SIF Orientation Training. This module will orient you to the building, instruments, and safe laboratory practices and procedures.
A SIF User Approval will not be issued until SIF Orientation is complete.
This course must be completed every three years to stay current on safety trainings.
- I have published a paper that uses research completed at the SIF. How do I acknowledge the SIF?
-
Any work completed at the SIF and used within a publication must include an acknowledgement statement by the user within the publication. The acknowledgement should be as follows:
"All/Part of the electron microscopy work was performed in the Sensitive Instrument Facility at Ames National Laboratory, which is operated for the U.S. DOE by Iowa State University under Contract No. DE-AC02-07CH11358."
If the staff member(s) who assisted you is/are not an author, please use the following instead:
"All/Part of the electron microscopy work was performed with the assistance of Dr. [First Initial] [Last Name] in the Sensitive Instrument Facility at Ames National Laboratory, which is operated for the U.S. DOE by Iowa State University under Contract No. DE-AC02-07CH11358." - After characterizing my sample, how do I get my data from the SIF?
-
Users are responsible for their own data. Data is not backed up on-site.
Because the SIF does not provide any long-term data storage or have a facility-wide data archiving service, the user must copy data to their own storage systems or move the data to their own folders via the Kiosk computers.
All data must be retrieved from the Kiosk computers located in room 124.
Use your Ames National Laboratory issued network id to login. From these machines you are able to e-mail or download your data to a place of your choosing. USB sticks and slim drives can only be used on these computers.
USB storage devices are not allowed on the support or control machines. USB storage devices are allowed on the kiosk machines located in room 124. Those found in violation of this policy may have their user privileges removed.
- What are the policies for using the SIF?
-
The policies for the SIF can be found here: _________________.