X-ray Scattering Facility
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X-ray Scattering Facility
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X-ray Scattering Facility
Core Resources
Please review the following resources for the X-ray Scattering Facility to learn about our core operations:
Quick Links
Hours of Operation
- Regular hours of operation for the X-ray Scattering Facility are:
After Hours / Off-Days
- Only trained users within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Windsor are permitted to operate the diffractometers in the X-ray Scattering Facility beyond the regular hours of operation. The facility is closed during all Ontario statutory holidays.
Mandatory Safety Training
The X-ray Scattering Facility operates with instruments producing ionizing radiation. Before working in the facility, all users must complete the following safety training and ensure that their training records up to date:
User Equipment Training
- All users must be trained prior to using any of the equipment in the X-ray Scattering Facility.
- Training for all facility instruments is in-person under the guidance of the Core Manager or a full-time faculty member (i.e., professor) holding expertise in x-ray diffraction and crystallography. Students cannot train other students. Training by post-doctoral fellows is not considered formal training and does not grant access to the infrastructure of X-ray Scattering Facility.
- Violation of the training policy may result in temporary suspension or full loss of user privileges.
- User training fees will apply; more than one person may be trained at one time for the same fee (see Services & Fees > User Training for more details on the costs of our training options for powder x-ray diffraction and single crystal diffraction).
- Training session durations may vary depending on the instrument and amount of prior experience.
- Additional training sessions (if required or requested) will be charged at the rate of the crystallographer’s consult ($75) per hour.
- Please contact the Core Manager for any inquiries about user equipment training in the X-ray Scattering Facility.
Basic Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) Training
Equipment: Proto AXRD Benchtop or Bruker D8 DISCOVERY PXRD
Description: Basic PXRD training briefly revisits the main principles of powder X-ray diffraction techniques and crystallography required for operation of PXRD diffractometers. Users will learn the common functions of the selected instrument and how to configure the hardware and software for efficient data acquisition.
Advanced crystallography for PXRD is not covered within the training. The training does not include operation of variable temperature chambers or use of cryo-equipment; an additional training session must be booked.
Training session duration: 40 minutes
Max. # of persons per training session: 2 trainees
Basic Single-Crystal X-ray Diffraction (SC-XRD) Training
Equipment: Bruker D8 VENTURE SC-XRD
Description: Basic SC-XRD training is only available for students and postdoctoral fellows with prior background in crystallography/upon completion of crystallography course (no exceptions). Potential trainees may be subject to a preliminary session during which the Core Manager will assess their skills and knowledge.
This training involves familiarization with the common functions and operations of the Bruker D8 VENTURE SC-XRD and its software workflow. The following topics and practices required for data acquisition will be briefly covered: 1) crystal centering; 2) indexing and crystal orientation; 3) data collection strategies. Data processing including integration, scaling, preparation of instructions, and structure solution are not included in the training.
This training grants access to crystal screening only. Trainees will be permitted full access to the instrument after 3 assisted data collections if they show confidence and understanding of the principles for the collection of complete datasets. This will be at the discretion of the Core Manager.
Training session duration: 1 hour
Max. # of persons per training session: 1 trainee
Comprehensive Crystallographic Training (structure determination):
Equipment: Bruker D8 VENTURE SC-XRD
Description: Comprehensive crystallographic training is tailored for the experienced students, post-doctoral fellows or faculty members who are interested in honing their crystallographic skills and practices.
The training offers three 2-hour long sessions covering the following topics: 1) insights into the data collection strategies and in-depth data analysis during integration and scaling; 2) structure solution using Olex2 and SHELX software; 3) principles of disorder modelling and treatment of twinning. The training also includes tutorials and datasets for home practice.
Training session duration: 2 hours (x 3 sessions = 6 hours total)
Max. # of persons per training session: 3 trainees
Booking Policies
If you are new user interested in the services offered by the X-ray Scattering Facility, please contact the Core Manager to schedule an initial assessment meeting to learn more about how the facility can help with your research.
Scheduling Equipment Usage
- All equipment use in the X-ray Scattering Facility should be scheduled through the Badger LMS system.
- All UWindsor users must download Java 8 Runtime Environment to run Badger on their computer and create a new account. Further instructions are available at: http://uwindsor.badgerlms.com/badger/News.html
- Only trained users can schedule the time slots.
- Untrained users and external clients (i.e., non-UWindsor and industry users) must contact the Core Manager by email or phone at least 48 hours in advance to have them set up an appointment time slot through Badger on their behalf.
- Data acquisition on Proto LPD-HTS is performed by the Core Manager only. The turnaround time is up to 14 days (about 2 weeks) from the day the samples arrive at the facility. More time might be required for customized experiments or many samples. Express analysis (within 3 days) can be requested at an additional 35% of the total price of the services requested.
Late Arrival:
- Late arrival does not extend the scheduled time slot automatically. Additional time can be lent at the discretion of the next user. The client will be charged as if they arrived on time and for the additional time used (if any).
Cancellation/No-Show:
- Cancellation of unassisted data collection is permitted 24 hours before the booked appointment time slot. Users must notify the next person in line about vacant time slots that can be used and update the Badger registration. Failure to reassign the time slots on Badger will result in charges applied to the user specified on Badger booking list. No reimbursement is provided. No-shows (or 1 hour late arrivals) will be charged the full amount of booking and will lose their priority in line.
- All appointments with the staff crystallographer (i.e., Core Manager) must be cancelled/rescheduled a minimum of 48 hours in advance. Late cancellations (within 8-48 hours from the appointment) will be charged $40. No-shows (including cancellations 8 hours before the appointment or arrival 20 minutes later from the scheduled appointment) will result in a $150 fee and loss of a place in the queue.
Data Management Policy
X-ray Scattering Facility Data Management:
- All data collected with the infrastructure of X-ray Scattering Facility belongs to the University of Windsor. Collected frames/powder patterns stored on the instrumental computer are considered temporary storage during experimentation and will not be backed up.
- For efficient use of the disk space, the Core Manager may schedule a clean-up session, during which the old frames/powder patterns will be removed. All users of X-ray Scattering Facility will be notified via email about the clean-up day at least 7 days in advance. Users must save a copy of their raw data to a personal drive and delete any remaining files off the instrument computer.
- The X-ray Scattering Facility is not responsible for any lost data. All users should ensure that they have proper plans for data storage, backup, and security prior to using the facility.
Core Protocols
X-ray Scattering Facility Protocols
- Only trained users are allowed to use X-ray diffractometers.
- Please respect the queue.
- The X-ray Scattering Facility is not a place for sample storage. All unattended samples will be removed in 24 hours without notice.
- Manipulations with crystals and powders, including harvesting, cutting, packing, and mounting must be done with the user wearing nitrile gloves.
- Remove the gloves before touching the diffractometer or the computer keyboard/mouse.
- Dispose of glass garbage (vials, slides) in a designated white bin. Use the black bin to get rid of used soiled gloves and kimwipes.
- Turn down the microscope lights before you leave the facility.
- Keep the working area clean. Address oil spills with petroleum ether.
- All sharp objects must be securely stored.
- Users of X-ray Scattering Core are responsible for keeping the working area equipped with one box of nitrile gloves, kimwipes and glass slides. Please, bring the missing items to CORe 110 or CORe 122c where needed. Contact the Core Manager to order parabar oil for crystal mounting and microfiber loops for crystal mounting.
- Notify the Core Manager about any hardware/software problems and report the observation using Badger.
- Users running experiments at low temperatures MUST ensure there is enough liquid nitrogen left for the next user. Be courteous towards your fellow workers.
- If a trained user is performing an experiment for an untrained user, it is the responsibility of the trained user to ensure there is enough nitrogen for the next user.
- Never leave empty dewars in the CORe 110. Instead, send them to the CCC (Chemical Control Centre) for the refill and bring them back when the refill is done.
- Trained users who do not comply with the nitrogen refill policy will face suspension from booking diffractometers with Badger system for 2 weeks.
- Blatant disrespect for the proper procedures, sample queue, safety of others, and/or the instruments can lead to loss of facility access.
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