User Fees

Characterization Instruments 

All rates in the table below on a "per hour" basis

Make sure to read note 3 at the bottom of the page to learn about automated sessions! Charges are capped for automated overnight and weekend sessions! Ask EMC staff members for more details.

Sample Preparation Equipment (Physical Sciences)

Staff Assistance

Life Sciences TEM Sample Preparation Services

Researchers wishing to become independent users on the sectioning equipment must reach out to Dr. Jian Pu to schedule training. Access to the microtomes will be granted only after the users have demonstrated proper operation of the equipment. Microtome knives must be provided by researchers for independent use.

The EMC will not be training users on TEM sample preparation at this time, but users are encouraged to reach out to Dr. Jian Pu for advice and preparation protocols if they wish to prepare the samples on their own before sectioning.

The process of preparing high-quality TEM lamellae is not always straightforward and often requires several iterations to create a solid preparation protocol. Researchers aiming to image new types of samples should expect additional preparation time and costs associated with the development of this protocol. Please reach out to the EMC staff to discuss your project before beginning your experiment.

Sample Preparation Equipment (Life Sciences)

Cancellation Policy
48 hours notice must be given to avoid any charges.
Less than 48 hours notice and someone fills your time, there is a two hour charge.
Less than 48 hours notice and no one fills your time, you are charged for your reserved time.

Training
To facilitate training, a fixed number of user hours will be billed at the unassisted rate for each instrument (TBD by EMC), except for Life Sciences sample preparation. Re-training after a long period of user inactivity will be charged at the assisted rate.

After hours and weekends
For after-hours & weekend use by approved, experienced University of Kentucky operators only, the (unassisted) hourly rates for UK internal use will be lowered by 1/3 (33.3%) for electron microscopes, XPS and SAXS. After-hours and weekend access is also possible for non UK users; please contact the EMC staff for details.

External Users
The EMC staff will provide training for external users, and/or provide services by performing the characterization work and, if necessary, specimen preparation. See the pricing chart for external users. In some cases a valid PO number is required before analysis can be scheduled. In such cases it is best to send the PO to the EMC staff directly by email. Typically, external users are not allowed to access the instruments unattended after normal working hours. Normally the information required will be:

• Purchase order
• Address where invoice is to be sent
• Contact person in your business office who will handle this invoice
• Your own contact information

For industrial users who require confidentiality and intellectual property agreements, please contact the EMC staff directly.

External Users Payment
Payment by check or wire transfer only (no credit card). Payment is due within 30 days of invoicing (Net 30).

¹HeliScan microCT operation modes
Two operation modes are available on the HeliScan microCT. The highest resolutions (voxel size) for the tungsten source (W) and the Lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) sources are ~800 nm and ~400 nm, respectively. The HeliScan microCT is typically configured with the tungsten filament. Switching between sources requires significant equipment re-calibration: access to LaB6 capabilities may be accessible only after a sufficient number of scans are planned by multiple users (TBD by staff).

²Automated sessions
Automated session hours for the electron microscopes, XPS and SAXS (i.e. long unattended runs) are eligible to be billed at a reduced rate: academic/government rate will equal the after-hours rate for that instrument. For-profit business rate is set separately for each instrument, but also includes a reduced rate for automated microCT scans.

³Capped charges for unattended long runs/scans
Available on select instruments (primarily overnight; subject to EMC staff approval and calendar availability). Charges for EM's, XPS, SAXS are capped at 5 hrs (overnight) or 10 hrs (weekend). Charges for microCT are capped at 8 hrs (overnight) or 20 hrs (weekend). Charges for JEOL CCP (cross-section polisher) are capped at 6 hrs, for each individual session.

⁴Sample preparation equipment
There are separate categories of specimen preparation equipment:

• Type A: n/a
• Type B: Leica EM ACE600 carbon & sputter coater will be charged at the rates indicated in the table on a "per run" basis; metallography (low speed precision saw, grinder/polishers, compound microscope, etc.) will be charged on a "per hour" basis. The metallography fee will be waived for the preparation of samples that will be characterized in EMC equipment.