1. General terms of use

The use of the BEEM is primarily open to all institutes of the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), but also to external working groups and companies for contract work. Fees are charged for the use of the equipment based on the fee schedule. The use of the laboratory facilities and equipment is usually carried out independently by users from the institutes and working groups after submitting an application for use and an equipment and safety briefing by BEEM employees. External contract work is carried out by BeEM employees. The TUHH's specifications on occupational safety and data protection must be observed. Further information as well as the corresponding forms and instructions are provided by BEEM employees.

2. Booking and usage conditions for the equipment

The binding operating instructions must be observed. The head of BeEM and those responsible for the equipment are authorized to give instructions to users in matters relating to the electron microscopy area. In addition, the radiation protection officer and his deputies are authorized to issue instructions in matters of radiation protection in accordance with the X-ray Ordinance (RöV). The prerequisites for independent use of BEEM devices are successful participation in the safety briefing and a fee-based briefing by BEEM employees, usually lasting several days, in accordance with the currently valid fee rates. The online booking system BASE is available for booking appointments on the devices (https://base.beem-online.de). The user must have a TUHH email address for this. External users should contact BeEM employees directly.

3. Storage and preparation of samples

The samples are prepared according to the question, the chosen technique and the nature of the sample. BEEM employees are happy to provide advice here. The storage of the samples is the responsibility of each user. Samples that have been stored in BEEM laboratories and desiccators can therefore be disposed of by us. As a rule, the samples are disposed of six months after the last EM examination. Unlabeled samples can be disposed of at any time.

4. Archiving of measurement data

Each user is responsible for archiving the measurement data. Measurement data stored on BEEM servers, hard drives and networks is usually deleted by BEEM employees after six months.

5. Utilization of measurement data

Data generated with the help of BEEM devices may be used by BEEM for teaching purposes, provided the source is cited, unless the user expressly prohibits this. There should be no joint exploitation of the work results, since, for example, the performance of BEEM employees does not justify participation in a scientific publication, but the use of the services in a cooperation with BEEM should at least be adequately cited (e.g. acknowledgments).

6. Usage time allocation

In the case of independent investigations, the usage time is allocated through the users' independent registration in BASE. The minimum booking times must be observed (see fee schedule). If not all usage requests can be fulfilled, the head of BEEM will decide at short notice about the allocation of measurement times. If the problem persists, a meeting of the user assembly must be initiated in order to find a permanent solution.

7. Usage Fees

The usage fees are determined by the user meeting in the fee schedule (https://www.tuhh.de/beem/ueber-uns/statuten/gebuehrenordnung.html). These user regulations are binding for all users. Hamburg, July 6, 2016

---Dr. Martin Ritter, Head of the Electron Microscopy Unit, TUHH, Hamburg ---