In the sections below, users can find important information about how to schedule service via iLab, training protocols, and the current rates in the Swagelok Center for Surface Analysis of Materials (SCSAM) at Case Western Reserve University.
Request analysis service or instrument training from SCSAM
All scheduling is done through the Agilent iLab portal. Instructions for creating a user account and submitting a request is provided below.
CWRU Users
- Log into the iLab portal.
- In the top right, there's a blue button that says "Sign In”.
- Register with your CWRU ID and password.
- Your PI and department admin will receive an email asking to confirm that you are in their lab and to assign a CWRU Speedtype for payment.
- After completing the iLab registration, please submit a service request (click here) to get on the schedule. After SCSAM receives the iLab request, a staff member will reach out to coordinate the scheduling of the analysis and/or training.
For iLab account questions, please contact CWRU Cores Support (CWRUcores@case.edu).
External Users
- New external academic, non-profit, or industry labs must sign the SCSAM Service Agreement and send the signed copies to SCSAM Executive Director, Jeffrey Pigott (jxp652@case.edu). CWRU will then sign and return the fully executed agreement typically within a few days as well as attaching it to the submitted iLab request. To be on campus participating in the analyses (either observing or training), both the 1-page agreement and Addendum I (Company on Premises) must be signed. To simply send in or drop off samples for analysis, only the 1-page agreement is required.
SCSAM Core One Page Agreement 2022.pdf
SCSAM Addendum I - Company on Premises.pdf
Register with iLab (Click Here).
Here are step by step instructions on how to do that: https://help.ilab.agilent.com/99540-getting-started-with-ilab/325013-registering-with-ilab
- Register with CWRU to make sure the lab gets set up properly from the CWRU end (i.e. billing and such). Click here to access the Google Form.
Go to cwru.corefacilities.org and select "Sign In" and "Using iLab Credentials". Use the password reset tool to gain access to your account. Then, go to SCSAM and "Request Service" (Click Here).
For iLab registration or Service Agreement questions, please contact SCSAM Executive Director, Jeffrey Pigott (jxp652@case.edu).
Training Protocols
The following SCSAM instrument training protocols have been established with significant input from the engineers. The objective is to maximize the efficiency of the one-on-one training sessions. The training for all machines is an individualized, multi-step process. This includes a virtual, independent component where the user does the work to teach themselves the basics of microscopy.
SCSAM instrument training protocols
The training protocols are subject to change, and you should come back to the website regularly to check during your training process.
Instruments Available for Training (engineer contact in parentheses)
Analytical Equipment
- XPS (John Kim, tjk155@case.edu)
- portable XRF (John Kim, tjk155@case.edu)
Microscopy
- Apreo SEM (Tugce Karakulak Uz, txk472@case.edu)
- Helios SEM/FIB (Tugce Karakulak Uz, txk472@case.edu)
- Optical Microscopy - Keyence VHX-5000 (Nichole Hoven, nxh195@case.edu)
- 3D Optical Profilometry - Keyence VR-6200 (Nichole Hoven, nxh195@case.edu)
- Atomic Force Microscopy (Nichole Hoven, nxh195@case.edu)
Structure, Properties, and Sample Prep
- X-ray Diffraction (Nichole Hoven, nxh195@case.edu)
- Nanoindenter (Nichole Hoven, nxh195@case.edu)
- Ion Polisher (Nichole Hoven, nxh195@case.edu)
- Sputter Coater (Tugce Karakulak Uz, txk472@case.edu)
- Struers Polishing Systen (Jay Bensusan, jsb5@case.edu)
Rates
***** New Rates Effective July 1st, 2025 *****
| Academic (CWRU) | External Non-profit | Industrial | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instrument | $/hr | $/hr | $/hr |
| PHI XPS | 85 | 140 | 300 |
| PHI TOF-SIMS | 85 | 140 | 300 |
| FEI Helios FIB/SEM | 85 | 140 | 300 |
| Thermo Apreo SEM | 65 | 105 | 230 |
| TEM Remote Console | 25 | 40 | 90 |
| AFM | 50 | 80 | 175 |
| XRD | 50 | 80 | 175 |
| Nanoindenter | 50 | 80 | 175 |
| Keyence VR-6200 3D Optical Profilometer | 35 | 60 | 125 |
| Keyence VHX-5000 Optical Microscope | 30 | 50 | 105 |
| Bruker Tracer 5g portable XRF | $30/hour | $50/hour | $105/hour |
| $150/day | $250/day | $525/day | |
| $600/week | N/A | N/A | |
| Denton Desk V Sputter Coater | 35 | 60 | 125 |
| Ion Polisher | 30 | 50 | 105 |
| Struers Polishing System | 35 | 60 | 125 |
| Sample Prep* | 70 | 115 | 245 |
| Data Analysis/Report Summary* | 60 | 100 | 210 |
| Engineer Time | 35 | 60 | 125 |
*Includes Engineer Time
Cancellations must be communicated 24 hours in advance of the time booked.
Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance will be assessed a charge of no less than 50% of the time booked.
Rates are subject to change to accommodate changes in operational costs, to include but not limited to inflation.
Both internal and external clients are charged the hourly engineer time during training sessions. This incentivizes new users to come to training sessions prepared, following the pre-work protocols on the “Training Protocol” page. Once a user completes the training protocols and is deemed a trained, independent user, they are no longer charged the hourly engineer time.
Click here to download the July 2025 - present rate table and policies.
Click here to download the November 2023 - June 2025 rate table and policies.