Using the Centre
The Centre for NSQI is a University-wide resource for anybody who is working in either the Nanoscience or Quantum Information fields and whose research would benefit from working in the Centre’s inter-disciplinary environment or from the exceptional physical features of the building. This page has information on:
Accessing the Centre:
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The building foyer is open to all members of staff.
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Nanoscience and quantum information researchers have free access to lab and office space, where available (application-dependent).
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All lab space is supported by free technical support and stocked with consumables.
Working in the Centre: Scientific projects
- To start a new project, even if you already have a project running in the building, requires that the new project be submitted to the Management Committee. Please fill out the New project application form (Word, 134 kB) and return it to Fred.Hale@bristol.ac.uk. However, we would always recommend you talk to us first.
- New research applications are passed to the Management committee (see our application process document, Word, 599.5 kB) for review. If the application is approved you and all involved in the project will need to undertake a centre induction, read the Code of Practice and Health & Safety pages. You will then need to submit a relevant risk assessment for your work.
- Space in the Centre is obviously limited, but we will make every effort to accommodate those who can achieve most in the building.
- Once a project has started, the personnel may well evolve with time. So that we can keep up-to-date with these changes, we ask you to fill out a New User form (Word, 91.5 kB) and return it to Fred.Hale@bristol.ac.uk. Adding new experiments within a project requires new risk assessments to be written.
- Request forms for mitigation due to the Life Sciences build can be downloaded (Word, 100 kB) and returned to Fred Hale (Fred.Hale@bristol.ac.uk)
Meetings and seminars
- The Centre has several seminar and meeting rooms. These are available to those in the NSQI community to book and use. Availability can be checked online or contact Julie Shackleford (Julie.Shackleford@bristol.ac.uk) or Alex Martin (a.martin@bristol.ac.uk) for more information. Please remember to pick up a seminar room booking form from NSQI reception, to be completed and returned to Julie or Alex before the start of your meeting.
- To attend meetings organised at the Centre, please contact Fred Hale (Fred.Hale@bristol.ac.uk) to discuss access requirements.
Your obligations
While access to the Centre is free, we do ask for a few things in return:
- You must read and abide by the Centre's Code of Practice
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You will need to acknowledge the centre in your work either by including us as an address location or by including the following statement in your work:
“This work (or a named part) was carried out with the support of the Bristol Centre for Nanoscience and Quantum Information”
Posters should also include this phrase and/or the NSQI Centre logo, which can be download Centre for NSQI logo - short version (.jpg, 17.1 kB) or Centre for NSQI logo - long version (.jpg, 32.8 kB)
- As the building has filled with researchers it has become impossible to run tours as we used to. Please read the Touring the building policy (Word, 26Kb) for a full brief on current arrangements
- Add a bag of coffee beans every so often if you are using our excellent coffee machine
Leaving
The NSQI requests that when researchers leave, they must complete the Exit Review (Word, 398 kB), including all the appropriate signatures.
Lab clearance
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All chemicals or other potentially hazardous material and equipment not accompanying you must be disposed of properly. Later users of a laboratory should never be left with a legacy of abandoned and potentially hazardous material or faulty/unusable equipment.
- All work areas should be left clean and tidy.
- If chemicals/samples are to be saved, then responsibility for them can be transferred to another person currently working in the NSQI who is willing to accept the responsibility and who has indicated such willingness in writing. If no such person can be found, dispose of the material in the proper way.
- Waste disposal routes are outlined in the Chemical, Biological, Nanomaterials and Waste Disposal pages.
- Ensure that all containers of chemicals/particles/bio samples/cultures are properly labelled with their name (not just a sample code) and are securely closed.
- Empty, clean and, if necessary, return to the Prep areas all beakers, flasks and other glassware.
- Check and, if necessary, clean refrigerators, freezers, fume hoods and bench tops as well as cupboards for chemicals/particles/samples. Give particular attention to shared storage areas.
- Remove from the laboratory and dispose of safely all unwanted or obsolete equipment. For larger pieces, obtain the advice and help of the DSA. Do not transfer refrigerators and freezers directly to waste without the removal of refrigerants and for other equipment contaminating material e.g. oil.
- Clean and decontaminate any equipment that is to be left (glassware, vacuum lines, exhaust lines, pump oil, filters, centrifuges, IR, UV etc). Supply custom built equipment with precise operating instructions and an operating risk assessment.
- Return gas cylinders to the Gas Store.
- You must inform your Research Supervisor and the NSQI DSA when the laboratory has been cleared and record his/her approval.
Office Clearance
- Ensure that any office space that has been used by you whilst working in the NSQI is cleared of all personal belongings, books, papers etc. Desks should be left clean & tidy.