Something unexpected happened and I cannot use my session on the microscope. Can I cancel my booking?
If your session is schedule in more than 24 hr you will be able to cancel your reservation through FEMR Scheduler system. However, FEMR has a strict 24 hr cancelation policy. The reason for this policy is to allow FEMR staff to reallocate your session to other researchers and avoid valuable instrument time being wasted. We understand emergencies happen sometimes but only under very special circumstances a short cancelation notice will be allowed. Keep in mind, however, it is not a common practice.
The microscope is not working when I came to my session. What should I do?
If the microscope is not working at the beginning of your session, please contact staff who help you to troubleshoot the problem and find a solution. If a substantial amount of time is required by staff to get the microscope working again you will not be charged for this
time. If staff determines service has to be called, they will help you to rebook your session. We always encourage users to seek advice of staff when there are glitches or a microscope is malfunctioning during their sessions rather to try to resolve the problem by themselves.
How do I get access to FEMR and the microscopes rooms?
Please contact the facility manager to request activation of your McGill ID for the rooms housing the instruments you are using in your project. You need to have completed the training on the instrument and an independent user (Group 1 user) of the instrument before you can be given unsupervised access to the microscope room.
I am the last user of the day on a transmission electron microscope. Should I leave the microscope on?
No. If you are the last user of the day on the TEM, you must start the cryo-cycle. Please follow the described protocol to start the cryo-cycle on the instrument you are using.
I went to the microscope room and nobody is using the microscope. Can I use it?
We do not allow users on the microscope if they do not have an account for the online scheduler. Access the scheduler and book it for the time you are planning to use it. If the time slot is already occupied, please contact the facility manager to request using the microscope at that time.
I am trying to book the FEI Tecnai G2 F20 cryo-STEM, but there is a user(s) monopolizing most of the available time. What should I do?
Users are not allowed to book more than two sessions in advance on any microscope. We only enforce this rule if we have to or find users not observing this rule on a regular basis. If you find yourself in this situation, please contact the facility manager to ensure you are able to reserve your session in a reasonable time frame.
I am finally getting my project published in Nature (or Science). Should I acknowledge FEMR in my publication?
It is important for FEMR funding and sustainability that users acknowledge the use of the facility. Please, look under our Publication link to learn more about our publication policy and how you should acknowledge FEMR in your publication.