Instrument Name : Micro Computer Tomography (Micro-CT) Scanner (SkyScan1273)
School/Centre : School of Mechanical Engineering, VIT Vellore

• The maximum number of samples accepted for analysis is fixed as 60/month (Internal: 40 and External: 20).
• Registration/payment portal will be opened between 1st to 10th of every month to pay and book for analysis. The slots will be booked and informed to the user as per payment date on first come first serve basis. The payment page will be closed for the rest of the period and no payment will be accepted.
• Maximum of 4 samples per user will be accepted/month and the slots will be allotted in the same month as per the availability.
• The payment for the CT scan analysis will be accepted only through online.
• Payment once done will not be refunded if the analysis is done. Hence, the user is advised to go through the tariff indicated and accordingly make the payment.
• If due to any reason, analysis could not be completed and the user asks for refund, then the amount paid will be refunded after deducting the GST as applicable.
• The external user is mandated to send the online payment receipt along with the filled-in CT scan slot booking form through e-mail to jambeswar.sahu@vit.ac.in to book the and hardcopy to be brought in person or sent through post to be available at the time of analysis.
• On receipt of the above through e-mail, the date and time of the slot will be confirmed to the external user.
• Internal users must submit the filled in Internal Form duly signed by their guide and HoD/Director/Dean along with online payment receipt to book the slot.
• Internal users must sign the logbook in PURSE Lab on submission of the above documents and submit their samples. Slots will be allotted and conveyed to the internal users based on online payment date and time and availability of the instrument.
• The sample size is limited to 100 x 200 mm (A smaller sample is preferable for a good scan).
• The weight of sample should be less than 10 kg.

Users intend to 3D X-ray Microscopy Imaging and Analysis are requested to send the samples along with the online payment receipt and slot booking form by post to the following address:
The in-charge,
PURSE Lab @ GDN G04,
School of Mechanical Engineering,
Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632014.
E-mail:smec.microct@vit.ac.in

Acknowledgement in Publications:
The user must acknowledge PURSE facility of VIT Vellore in Publications/Reports/Thesis in which the data is used with due feedback through email. Please use the following statements during acknowledging.
“The authors are grateful to the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, India for providing financial support to acquire " Micro Computer Tomography (Micro-CT) Scanner " through "Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE)" under Grant No. SR/PURSE/2020/34 (TPN 56960) and carry out the work.”

Instrument Name : Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
School/Centre : SMEC-DST-PURSE Centre

• The maximum number of samples accepted for analysis is fixed as 120/month (Internal: 60 and External: 60).
• Registration/payment portal will be opened between 1st to 10th of every month to pay and book for analysis. The slots will be booked and informed to the user as per payment date on first come first serve basis. The payment page will be closed for the rest of the period and no payment will be accepted.
• Maximum of 6 samples per user will be accepted/month and the slots will be allotted in the same month as per the availability.
• Before booking the analysis, make sure we have the required elemental standards.
• Do not prepare samples using hydrofluoric acid. Use trace metal analysis grade hydrochloric acid, nitric acid (avoid glassware).
• The payment for the ICP-MS analysis will be accepted only through online.
• Payment once done will not be refunded if the analysis is done. Hence, the user is advised to go through the tariff indicated and accordingly make the payment.
• If due to any reason, analysis could not be completed and the user asks for refund, then the amount paid will be refunded after deducting the GST as applicable.
• The external user is mandated to send the online payment receipt along with the filled-in ICP-MS Slot booking form and online payment receipt through e-mail to icpms@vit.ac.in to book the analysis and send hardcopy through post to be available at the time of analysis.
• Internal users must submit the filled in Internal Form duly signed by their guide and HoD/Director/Dean along with online payment receipt to book the slot.
• Internal users must sign the logbook in ICP-MS Lab on submission of the above documents and submit their samples.
• The minimum volume required for liquid samples/ solutions is 10 mL. In case of the biological liquid samples, the volume required is 3 mL. For solid samples, the minimum weight required is 0.5 g, although in some cases we may ask for a greater weight if multiple digestions need to be performed.

External users are requested to send the samples along with the online payment receipt by post to the following address:
The in-charge,
ICP-MS Facility @ GDN,
DST-PURSE Cell
Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632014.
E-mail:smec.icpms@vit.ac.in

Acknowledgement in Publications:
The user must acknowledge HRTEM facility of VIT Vellore in Publications/Reports/Thesis in which the data is used with due feedback through email. Please use the following statements during acknowledging.
“The authors are grateful to the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, India for providing financial support to acquire " Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) " through "Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE)" under Grant No. SR/PURSE/2020/34 (TPN 56960) and carry out the work.”

Instrument Name : 3D Metal Printing
School/Centre : Centre of Excellence in Additive Manufacturing (funded by DST under PURSE scheme and VIT)

• The maximum number of parts accepted for 3D metal printing is fixed as 200/month (Internal: 100 and External: 100).
• Print request and Design for the part must be submitted electronically in the “.STL” file format through online portal.
• A limited amount of technical assistance provided to ensure that the proposed part is ready for printable format. There are no guarantees that any part submitted will be successfully printed (While 3D printing there are limits to the size, configuration and materials that can be successfully printed. Many designs are not realizable due to material properties, size and/or complexity even if they can be successfully rendered on design software).
• Once converted to printable format, your payment link will be enabled in online portal.
• Payment portal will be opened between 1st to 10th of every month to pay and book for printing. The slots will be booked and informed to the user as per payment date on first come first serve basis. The payment page will be closed for the rest of the period and no payment will be accepted.
• Maximum of 6 parts per user will be accepted/month and the slots will be allotted in the same month as per the availability.
• The payment for the 3D metal printing will be accepted only through online.
• Payment once done will not be refunded if the printing is done. Hence, the user is advised to go through the tariff indicated and accordingly make the payment.
• If due to any reason, printing could not be completed and the user asks for refund, then the amount paid will be refunded after deducting the material cost and GST as applicable.
• The external user is mandated to send the online payment receipt along with the filled-in 3D metal printing Slot booking form and online payment receipt through e-mail to metalam@vit.ac.in to book the and hardcopy to be brought in person or sent through post to be available at the time of printing.
• On receipt of the above through e-mail, the date and time of the slot will be confirmed to the external user.
• Internal users must submit the filled in Internal Form duly signed by their guide and HoD/Director/Dean along with online payment receipt to book the slot.
• Once you submit the Internal Form along with payment receipt, your parts will be processed for printing and delivered within 7 business days.
• No post processing or testing to verify prototype strength, performance, finish and/or durability of the printed part will be done.
• Recommended powders by machine supplier only allowed (please refer the 3D Metal Printing lab before print request).

Users intend to analyse in absentia are requested to send the STL files along with the online payment receipt and slot booking form by post to the following address:
The in-charge,
3D Metal AM @ GDN G04
Centre of Excellence in Additive Manufacturing
(Funded by DST under PURSE scheme and VIT)
School of Mechanical Engineering
Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore–632014.
E-mail: smec.metalam@vit.ac.in

Acknowledgement in Publications:
The user must acknowledge Centre of Excellence in Additive Manufacturing (Funded by DST under PURSE scheme and VIT) VIT Vellore in Publications/Reports/Thesis in which the data is used with due feedback through email. Please use the following statements during acknowledging.
“The authors are grateful to the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, India for providing financial support to acquire "Direct Metal Laser Sintering Machine" through "Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE)" under Grant No. SR/PURSE/2020/34 (TPN 56960) and carry out the work.”

Instrument Name : Nano Indenter (Bruker TS-77)
School/Centre : Centre of Excellence in Additive Manufacturing

• The maximum number of samples accepted for the analysis is fixed as 80/month (Internal: 60 and External:20).
• Sample dimensions should not be more than 10*10*3 mm and sample should be flat and polished (average roughness of 10-30 nm).
• Maximum of 4 samples per user will be accepted per month and slots will be allotted in the same month as per the availability.
• User presence during entire session of analysis is mandatory.
• Payment for the analysis will be accepted only through online portal www.crf.vit.ac.in and payment will not be refunded if the sample preparation is not suitable for the analysis.
• Due to any reason from the user, analysis could not be completed on the booked slot, analysis will be scheduled on subsequent month.
• Internal users should submit the samples with duly signed form by their guide and HOD/Dean along with online payment receipt to book the slot.

External Users:

• The external user is mandated to send the online payment receipt along with the filled-in nano-indentation slot booking form and online payment receipt through e-mail to nanoindenter@vit.ac.in to book the slot and hardcopy to be brought in person at the time of analysis.
• On receipt of the above through e-mail, the date and time of the slot will be confirmed to the external user.

Acknowledgement in Publications:
The user must acknowledge PURSE facility of VIT Vellore in Publications/Reports/Thesis in which the data is used with due feedback through email. Please use the following statements during acknowledging.
“The authors are grateful to the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, India for providing financial support to acquire " Nano Indenter" through "Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE)" under Grant No. SR/PURSE/2020/34 (TPN 56960) and carry out the work.” For further details and queries,
The Facility in-charge,
Nanoindentation Facility @ GDN G04
Centre of Excellence in Additive Manufacturing
Vellore Institute of Technology
Vellore - 632014.
E-mail:smec.nanoindenter@vit.ac.in

Instrument Name : X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy ULVAC-PHI VersaProbe 4 (XPS, UPS, LEIPS, Mapping, Depth Profiling)

• The payment for the analysis will be accepted only through online.
• Payment once done will not be refunded if the analysis is done. Hence, the user is advised to go through the tariff indicated and accordingly make the payment.
• If due to any reason, analysis could not be completed and the user asks for refund, then the amount paid will be refunded after deducting the GST as applicable.
• The external user is mandated to send the online payment receipt along with the filled-in XPS booking form and online payment receipt through e-mail to xps@vit.ac.in to book the analysis and hardcopy to be sent through post to be available at the time of analysis.
• Internal users must submit the filled in Internal Form duly signed by their guide and HoD/Director/Dean along with online payment receipt to book the analysis.
• Internal users must sign the logbook in XPS Lab on submission of the above documents and submit their samples.
• Samples should be solid, entirely devoid of moisture, high vacuum compatible and should not disintegrate under x-ray beam.
• Sample dimensions: Thin films and pellets (maximum 10 mm x10 mm), Thickness maximum of 2 mm. Powders: Minimum of 10 mg.
• For external users, a maximum of five elements, including one Argon etching, will be analysed for each sample. Additional fees will apply for added elements or Argon etching.
• Samples must not be hygroscopic or outgassing in nature.
• Samples must not contain any explosive component like perchlorate, nitrate etc.
• Powders can be transformed into solid pellets and then placed in a desiccator for drying before being submitted for XPS measurements.
• Samples containing F, Na, P, S, K, Zn, As, Se, Te, I, Hg, Pb and Bi are not suitable for depth profile analysis.
• If samples have volatile substances like Iodine, Sulphur etc., please mention clearly, samples containing Iodine may not be performed. While samples with Sulphur may be processed only if the specific sample is stable in a vacuum.

The in-charge,
XPS Facility @ GDN G08,
School of Mechanical Engineering,
Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore - 632014.
E-mail: smec.xps@vit.ac.in

Acknowledgement in Publications:
The user must acknowledge XPS facility of VIT Vellore in Publications/Reports/Thesis in which the data is used with due feedback through email. Please use the following statements during acknowledging.
“The authors are grateful to the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, India for providing financial support to acquire " X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy " through "Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE)" under Grant No. SR/PURSE/2020/34 (TPN 56960) and carry out the work.”