Alerts

Dear SEA Users:

In cooperation with the Office of Research and the Crisis Management Team, SEA has implemented the following protocols:

All Users must continue to follow Rice protocols. These protocols change as Rice responds to changes in the local conditions, but currently include COVID testing for anyone routinely on Rice campus.

Current Rice policy does not require vaccinated individuals to wear a mask while indoors, except in groups larger than 10. However, for the safety of our Staff, as well as other users, SEA respectfully requests that while working in close proximity to others, such as while training, please consider wearing a mask. Some of our labs, especially smaller rooms such as our optical microscopy facilities, do not provide for adequate distancing. We appreciate your cooperation in this regard.

Users should observe physical distancing where possible.

SEA instruments hosted in PI labs may have limited or no access, as determined by the PI host.

See chart below:

Instrument PI Lab Access allowed If yes, requirement, if any
Fluorometer Xiao BRC 330C Yes No change
Nanosight, zetasizer Segatori BRC 350 Yes Trained users only. Cleaning protocols as instructed in the summer.
LSM800 Bao BRC 440D Yes No change
Axioimager Z2 Tao BRC 640B Yes No change and very little usage
RNA/DNA analyzer Hilton BRC 660D Yes Trained users only
Freeze Dryer Bennett, G BRC 810C Yes Trained users only maintain soc dist
IVIS, vibr microtome Miller BRC420D Yes
Centrifuges, shaker McNew BRC710 Yes Trained users only
Centrifuge, LAS4000, Scint counter McNew BRC730B Yes Trained users only
Cell sorter Tabor BRC840 Yes Pis must contact Dr Tabor about access to students using SEA space
Qsense Biswal GBRE 255 Yes No new trainings
CD Silberg Keck 201 No
POM, ARES Rheometer Pasqualli Keck 232 Yes No change, lab limit set up in FOM
Potentiostat Ajo-Franklin Keck 309 Yes any User will need to contact the super-user 5 business days in advance to arrange training etc.
Tecan plate reader Chappell Keck 327 Yes Ask users to use new PRs in Keck 328, if want to use, notify Chappell lab
Various Silberg Keck 328 Yes Lab limits. Sign on lab door. Flow instruments restricted on FOM

.

EXTERNAL USER POLICY

Effective immediately, in cooperation with the Rice Office of Research and the Crisis Management Team, SEA is implementing the following new policy with regard to External Users coming to Rice.

As always, all users must follow Rice guidelines on PPE use and distancing. Current Rice policy does not require vaccinated individuals to wear a mask while indoors, except in groups larger than 10. However, for the safety of our Staff, as well as other users, SEA respectfully requests that while working in close proximity to others, such as while training, please consider wearing a mask. Some of our labs, especially smaller rooms such as our optical microscopy facilities, do not provide for adequate distancing. We appreciate your cooperation in this regard.You should also try to keep at least 6' of physical distancing when possible. Finally, if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, please do not come to Rice campus.

Effective immediately, new External User applications can be approved and new External User trainings can be scheduled.

REGARDLESS OF COVID VACCINATION STATUS, all External Users will be required to submit a negative COVID test result to Meri Dix (meri.c.dix@rice.edu) to be able to access our facilities.

If you have completed a full course of vaccinations, one negative result will allow access for two weeks from the date of the test. If you have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, one negative test result will allow access for one week from the date of the test. Unlike our previous policy, PCR tests are no longer the only tests accepted, though they are likely the most accurate.

Questions about these policies can be directed to Angelo Benedetto - angelo@rice.edu.

These guidelines are a minimum – any work must be approved by the instrument manager first, who might require further restrictions.

SEA Facilities and their general availability to External Users are as follows:

Instrument Suite

Open for External Users?

Open for Fee-for-Service?

NMR

200 MHz - No

500 MHz - Yes

Yes

Mass Spec

Yes, for currently trained users

Yes

Cleanroom and SST 020

Yes

Yes, but limited capacity

XRD

DMax, SmartLab, SQUID - Yes

SCX - No

Yes

SEM, AFM, Raman, TGA, Denton Sputterer, FTIR

Yes

Yes

TEM

Yes

Yes

TOF-SIMS

Yes

Yes

Bio NMR

Yes

Yes

Optical Microscopes

Nikon A1 - Yes

Others - No

Yes

Nanodrop, qPCR, Thermal Cyclers

Yes

Yes

Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorters

Yes

Yes

XPS, BET, L80XP Centrifuge, Plasma Cleaner

Yes

Yes

Auto CPD, Ultramicrotome

Yes

Yes

EMC (Electron Microscopy)

Yes

Yes

Biomaterials Lab

Yes

Yes

Fee-for-service work will continue to be an option for many instruments.

In general, Super-User managed instruments may not be available. Exceptions might be made by arrangement with the PI instrument host on a case-by-case basis.

Please remember that while we try to accommodate external users, our primary mission is to support Rice research and keep our community safe. During these extraordinary times, we must take all reasonable steps to protect the health and safety of our Rice community.

We anticipate that there may be a higher than usual volume of users needing SEA resources once they are available. As such, users may experience delays in accessing SEA tools. SEA appreciates your cooperation and understanding.

Questions or concerns about these policies should be directed to Angelo Benedetto (angelo@rice.edu).

Thank you,

Angelo Benedetto, Ph.D.
Rice University - Shared Equipment Authority
Director of Operations
(713) 348-8207 (w)
(281) 686-4924 (c)