CIF Operational

The Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF) is overseen by a Faculty In-charge and two Co-Coordinators who are appointed by the Director of the institution. Together, they manage the operations of the facility with the support of a team consisting of faculty members and dedicated technical staff. This team works collaboratively to ensure the smooth functioning and efficient operation of the CIF, providing necessary assistance and expertise to users of the facility. The facility is comprised of two distinct wings: Sophisticated Instrumentation Facility (SIF) and Central Analytical Laboratory (CAL). These wings are equipped with specialized instrumentation and equipment to support various research activities and analytical needs.

Centre hosts following two types of facility:

SIF Facility:

The Sophisticated Instrumentation Facility (SIF) primarily serves as a research resource for use by research scholars, faculty members, and external users. Access to the facility is typically on a payment basis, allowing individuals to utilize advanced instrumentation and equipment for their research projects. This arrangement enables researchers to leverage sophisticated tools and technologies to conduct experiments and analyze data, contributing to scientific advancement and innovation.

Equipment operations:

1. Each equipment will have a designated equipment faculty in-charge (Convener) and a Staff in-charge (Technical Assistant), who serves as the operational owner of the equipment. Operational decisions will primarily be made by the Staff in-charge (SIC). Users must adhere to the instructions provided by the SIC, whose decisions within the lab are final and binding.
2. Equipment operation will be restricted to designated staff members only.
3. The SIF staff will enforce a strict "No Exception" policy, ensuring that rules and regulations are uniformly applied to all users and equipment within the facility.

Equipment slot booking:

Slot may be booked by the users through online portal of the facility: https://web.bits-pilani.ac.in/pilani/sif/home.

Usage charge rate: Link with attachment of rate chart

CAL Facility:

The Central Analytical Laboratory (CAL) is primarily utilized by undergraduate and higher degree students in their laboratory courses. This facility serves as a practical learning environment where students gain hands-on experience with analytical techniques and instruments relevant to their field of study. The CAL is instrumental in supporting the academic curriculum of undergraduate programs, providing students with the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting.

CAL equipment operations:

Few equipment are available for research purpose. Contact details for accessing the equipment at CAL facility is: ic.cal@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in

Training and outreach of the Facility:

The Centre organizes hands-on training programs and workshops aimed at researchers, higher degree students, and faculty members interested in diverse scientific aspects related to the equipment available. These training sessions and workshops provide participants with practical experience and in-depth knowledge about utilizing the sophisticated instrumentation and tools offered by the Centre. The details of the same can be available at: Training program link

Grievances redressal mechanism:

Grievances, suggestions, and feedback from users will be collected through an online platform. The team will gather and review these submissions, engaging in collective discussions to address concerns and make informed decisions. It's important to note that the CIF will not process verbal communications regarding grievances, suggestions, or feedback. Instead, users are encouraged to utilize the designated online platform or communication channels established by the facility for submitting their inputs. By centralizing feedback through an online system, the CIF aims to streamline communication, ensure transparency, and facilitate efficient resolution of issues raised by users. This approach allows for structured feedback collection and enables the CIF team to prioritize and address matters effectively.

Acknowledgement to CIF

Acknowledgment of the BITS Pilani, Pilani campus, CIF facility is encouraged by the CIF team with following lines:

“____ acknowledges the Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF), BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus.” We request all users to submit the publication details to the CIF data base

Please find below the important instructions for utilizing the CIF facility:

1. The analytical data provided is intended solely for research and development (R&D) purposes and must not be used for any legal disputes under any circumstances.
2. Users are required to book their slots online through the Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF) portal at https://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/pilani/central-sophisticated-instrumentation-facility/. The detailed instructions for the slot booking process are provided in the attached document. Internal Users | External Users
3. Users are responsible for coordinating with the Staff-in-charge(SIC) before analysis and providing all relevant information related to the sample. Users should arrange to meet and discuss at a time convenient for the technical staff to ensure that ongoing sample analyses are not disrupted.
4. Once the payment process has been initiated, no changes to the sample analysis or procedures will be permitted unless deemed necessary for the analysis, as determined by the operator's discretion.
5. Users are required to submit their samples to the specific lab where they wish to conduct their analysis 15 minute prior of their slot time. However, for XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy) analysis, users must submit their samples one day prior to the scheduled analysis date. This advance submission allows for the necessary preparations required for XPS analysis. Please ensure timely submission of samples according to these guidelines to facilitate smooth and efficient processing of your analysis requests.
6. All preparation of samples as appropriate must be done at the user’s end prior to characterization. This may be discussed with the operator as deemed necessary.
7. Radioactive materials, unstable substances, and explosive compounds must be reported to the facility. However, please note that for safety reasons, such samples may not be accepted for analysis due to potential hazards.
8. The CIF facility or technical staff does not bear responsibility for the integrity of samples. The SIC's decision prior to analysis is final and must be adhered to by users.
9. If user wish to retrieve their sample after the analysis, please inform the SIC before the analysis begins. However, please note that for certain analyses such as FESEM, XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy), Single Crystal XRD (X-ray Diffraction), Chemisorption, the sample may not be recoverable after the analysis is completed.
10. Users are responsible for coordinating with the SIC before analysis and providing all relevant information related to the sample. Users should arrange to meet and discuss at a time convenient for the technical staff to ensure that ongoing sample analyses are not disrupted.
11. Users are expected to provide information on how the results of the analysis have been utilized, such as in paper publications, theses, or other forms of dissemination. This feedback helps in understanding the impact and application of the analytical data
12. Users must ensure they arrive on time for their scheduled slot as provided by the SIC. Please note that if there is a delay, the slot duration will not be extended. If you anticipate being unable to attend your scheduled slot, please inform the same in advance so that an alternative slot can be arranged for you. This will help ensure efficient use of resources and minimize disruptions to the schedule.
13. Please be aware that additional charges may apply for special analysis requests that are not included in the standard list of charges for the respective equipment. If you have specific analysis requirements that go beyond the standard services provided, please discuss these with the operator beforehand to understand any associated extra costs that may be applicable. This will ensure transparency and clarity regarding pricing for the requested services.
14. Users are expected to behave responsibly and refrain from abusing or shouting at the SIC. In case of any discrepancy or dispute with the SIC, users should contact the Faculty in-charge (cifservices@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in) to resolve the issue before proceeding with the analysis.
15. The charge list and policy will be reviewed periodically, and any changes will be communicated to all users by CIF (Central Instrumentation Facility). If you have any suggestions or notice any errors in this document, please bring them to the attention of the Faculty in-charge at ic.cif@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in . Your feedback is valuable in maintaining the accuracy and effectiveness of our services. Thank you for your cooperation.