Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Where can I find information about the rates/costs associated with using your cleanroom?
Visit the Cleanroom Rates section of our cleanroom website by clicking here.
Question: My Buzzcard doesn't seem to work! I can't access the building, the lab to which I need access, or the cleanroom level. What should I do?
Katie Hutchison and Susan Miller in Room 105 can help give you access to the areas of the building that you need. Please bring your Buzzcard with you.
Question: I got a new Buzzcard, and I can't seem to access the same areas of the building that my old Buzzcard let me in to. What should I do?
Katie Hutchison and Susan Miller in Room 105 can help give you access to the areas of the building that you need. Please bring your Buzzcard with you.
Question: How and when will I be billed?
Billing is done on a quarterly basis (every 3 months). For more information on how your project will be billed please contact your Georgia Tech P.I.
Some users are already very experienced in fabrication and/or characterization and only need access to the tools. However, many users have no prior experience in cleanroom work. To make a project plan with the help of MiRC staff, you should be able to discuss your ultimate objectives. If you have an idea for the process flow, that is helpful too, but many times we will have different/better ideas based on the known capabilities of our tools and processes. Once all have agreed on a plan and a goal, you should be able to write a brief proposal to document the plan.
Question: Is there a review process? Can my proposed project be rejected?
Within NNIN, projects are reviewed for technical feasibility only. We do not provide funding, so we do not wish to be an additional review process in your research. In all but very rare cases, proposed work has already been reviewed extensively by the funding source. Projects are only rejected if they are not technically feasible or are not a reasonable use of resources.
Question: How does one estimate the cost and time for the work?
The MiRC PI/Host will work with you to ESTIMATE the required time frame and cost. However, it must be remembered that this is research and our promise is to deliver access to equipment on a best effort basis only. We can not guarantee that the agreed upon process will work, or that each individual step will work. We do not contract for fixed price deliverables.
Question: How do I schedule my visit to MiRC?
Once your project has been submitted, the major technical questions have been resolved, and your Service Agreement signed, your MiRC PI/Host will assist you in scheduling for orientation and tool training. A small amount of paperwork will be required to provide the necessary access to the cleanroom, labs, and computer system. MiRC hosts more than 300 users every year, so access times are scheduled on a first come –first served basis.
Question: How do I get trained on the equipment?
Training plays an important role for everyone that uses our equipment. In order to become eligible to use a piece of equipment, the user must go through the necessary training procedures. First a user must attend a training session, where the equipment's trainer demonstrates proper usage of the tool. Although it depends on the machine, there is typically a training session scheduled once a month and sessions usually last around an hour. At a later date, each user must perform a 'check-off' where they meet one-on-one with the trainer. Here the trainer will go through a list of eligibilty requirements to make sure the user is able to operate the machine on their own. At any time, a user may view text instructions and video instructions available for the tools.To view which training sessions are currently scheduled and sign up, go to the Training page.
Question: What are the hours for the MiRC cleanroom and labs?
The MiRC cleanroom and lab facilities are open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Occasional closures of the cleanroom occur due to maintenance needs, and the cleanroom is closed for 2 weeks during the Christmas/New Years holidays. Certain tools have restricted hours for new users that allow MiRC support staff to be available during use. These will be communicated to users during the tool training period.
Question: Will the MiRC use its staff to carry out work under my instructions?
MiRC staff can execute remote access projects for users. These are for the most part limited to straightforward process sequences with a few steps, e.g. simple film deposition. We should not be considered subcontracted staff to execute a complex sequence or to develop a complex process without your direct participation. Nor can we carry out your research project for you or manufacture your parts for you. In this way, we are able to leverage our limited staff to a much higher degree, helping more users.
Question: Does the NNIN or MiRC make any research grants?
The NNIN does not make research grants, either to local or to outside users. All users are expected to have their own research funding to pay for salaries, expenses, and access fees. Our NSF funds and our user fees go entirely to support of the facility operation, to make it economical for all.
Question: What is the policy of MiRC and Georgia Tech toward intellectual property?
It is the general policy of MiRC that Georgia Tech and its employees will not make claims of intellectual property ownership for work of external users (either onsite or remote) merely performed in our facility and supported by our staff. External use of the MiRC is equivalent to renting equipment time in our facility. Under normal conditions, work is performed by external researchers based on their own research concepts and processes. It is the role of MiRC to maintain the equipment, provide equipment training, and general support for common processes. It is not necessary for external users to disclose details of their device design or fabrication process. However, if an external user chooses to disclose confidential information to MiRC staff or other users there is no expectation of confidentiality, unless a non-disclosure agreement is in place with the proper parties as signatories. This, however, rarely happens and does not happen by accident.
Question: Does the MiRC or NNIN have any control over publications based on work carried out at the MiRC?
NNIN does not control the publication of your results. We are here to act as a research resource, not as collaborators. We do ask that you properly acknowledge the use of NNIN facilities and provide us with citation information annually.