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Access to MDERFH’s Instrumentation

The MDERFH facilities and instrumentation are available to all users – Vanderbilt, VUMC, external academics, non-profits, and for-profit partners alike.

Access and pricing for the instrumentation and facilities offered by MDERFH varies depending on the user type and instrument type. Instruments that are charged on an hourly basis or per-sample basis are managed through MDERFH’s iLab Core. Instruments that are charged on a per-project basis are managed by the respective department in which they are located. All LEAF method sample submissions are also handled through MDERFH’s iLab Core. Please visit the Facilities & Instrumentation page to learn more about each instrument/method and its respective scheduling process.

Vanderbilt users are eligible for training to become independent users of the hourly-based instrumentation. MDERFH also offers staff-assisted sessions for an additional fee on all of the hourly-based instrumentation. External users are only eligible for staff-assisted sessions. All instrumentation charged on a per-sample basis is run by Core staff with staff time already included in the rates.

All MDERFH users who will be on-site to use the facilities must first complete two safety training modules. Upon completion of the modules, please submit your training certificates via email to MDERFH.

For Vanderbilt users:

  1. Log in to Oracle.
  2. Select the ‘Learning’ tile on your home page.
  3. Search for “Chemical and Physical Safety in the Lab” in the search tab at the top of the page.
  4. Click on the class and use the ‘Actions’ drop-down menu at the top right to enroll in the course.
  5. Complete the class, take the assessment, and save your resulting certificate of completion or take a screenshot showing that you have completed the course and passed the assessment.
  6. Repeat Steps 3-5 for the “Chemical Waste Training for Labs” Class.
  7. Email both certificates/screenshots of completion to MDERFH. If you have completed these classes within the last academic year, there is no need to repeat them again – simply download your certificates/take screenshots showing completion from Oracle and email them to MDERFH.
  • Need access to MDERFH’s iLab Core and already have an iLab account?
    1. Login to iLab.
    2. Navigate to the Core Facilities list (use the drop-down menu in the upper left and click on ‘Core Facilities’)
    3. Find the Vanderbilt Materials Durability and Environmental Research Facilities Hub and click on the Core’s link.
    4. Request access.
  • New to iLab?
    1. Navigate to the Vanderbilt iLab homepage: https://vanderbilt.corefacilities.org
    2. In the upper-right-hand corner of the screen click ‘sign-up,’ and select the click here link for a Vanderbilt University user (with VUNetID). You will be directed to an authentication page where you will need to enter your Vanderbilt credentials.
    3. Once you have entered your credentials, click the ‘Sign On’ button
    4. You will be directed to an iLab Registration page where you will need to select your PI/Lab and verify your contact information.
    5. Once your registration has been submitted, your PI will receive a notification that you have requested membership to their lab in iLab. They will need to approve your membership and assign any billing numbers for your use.
    6. After receiving approval from your PI, login to iLab.
    7. Navigate to the core facilities list in iLab (use the drop-down menu in the upper left and click on ‘Core Facilities’)
    8. Find the Vanderbilt Materials Durability and Environmental Research Facilities Hub and click on the Core’s link.
    9. Request access.

For External Users:

Please contact MDERFH to set-up an external user agreement, which will then allow access to MDERFH’s iLab Core and any necessary safety training.

Additional user requirements due to COVID:

The MDERFH iLab Core operates in compliance with all COVID protocols from Vanderbilt University as well as lab/department protocols for the facility locations included in the Core. Until further notice, all MDERFH users who require on-site services must first meet with the Core Director via a virtual Zoom meeting to review lab protocols as related to safety and COVID (PPE use, disinfection procedures, etc.). When a user initiates a training request in iLab for the first time, they will also be scheduled for the virtual Zoom meeting to discuss these COVID-related protocols.