Professional AFM certification
The LCN and Veeco Instruments UK have formed a partnership offering the first and only certified training for AFM users. This training aims to develop competences and expertise amongst the AFM user community and provides a guarantee of the level of expertise of certified users.
In addition to hosting the training course, the LCN delivers a certificate to applicants who successfully pass the end-of-training exam. This certification will serve as proof that the the bearer possesses all the skill & expertise required to work on AFMs as per the high standards required at the LCN.
The training will take place at the LCN facility in London :
17-19 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AH, UK
The training course is available in English, French, German, Italian and Dutch, although training materials will be provided in English only.
This training is aimed at ANYONE who may require the use of AFM equipment during their career or studies:
- Students: MSc – PhD
- Industrial technicians
- Clinicians
So far, the LCN have trained technicians from a range of backgrounds, from BSc student(s) running the PicoForce application to dentist practitioners conducting imaging scans on patient tissue samples.
The LCN's experienced training team utilises tailored teaching techniques depending on the trainees’ background and professional requirements.
This programme will include:
- Training delivered by AFM specialist from LCN and Veeco Instruments
- Expertise and knowledge required to run successfully and independently AFM by their own
- On-going contact with professionals – the trainees will have a privileged relation with the LCN experts.
- Professional certification backed by the LCN valid for 3 years from examination
- An up-to-date list of certified users, published on the LCN website
The training will take 2-3 days1, and will feature:
- Formal seminars with invited speaker(s)
- Demonstration/training on the instrument(s) of choice
- Supervised self-training sessions
- Maximum of 2 trainees per instruments
- Open discussion with Q&A
- End-of-course assessments both practical & viva-voice
- Training given by a team of LCN and Veeco's AFM specialists
Trainees are encouraged to bring some of their own samples.
1Depending on number of participants
Training schedule
Time
|
Training content
|
| Day 1 |
| 09:00-10:15 |
Welcome and introductory lecture to AFM, “AFM: Introduction and applications” |
| 10:15-10:45 |
Tea/coffee break |
| 10:45-12:00 |
Intermediate AFM training, “From concept to imaging” |
| 12:00-13:00 |
Lunch break |
| 13:00-17:00 |
Hands-on session on the instruments in group of 2 trainees maximum
“Getting started” |
Topics covered:
- starting up the instrument
- mounting cantilevers and laser alignment
- contact mode AFM – approach and calibration
- tapping mode AFM – tuning of cantilever
|
| Day 2 |
| 09:00-09:45 |
Veeco Instruments presentation – contents at Veeco discretion |
| 10:00-12:00 |
Hands-on session on the instruments in groups of 2 trainees.
"Imaging in contact mode”:
- contact mode AFM – the role of setpoint and gains
- contact mode AFM – acquire images
- contact mode AFM – force spectroscopy
|
| 12:00-13:00 |
Lunch break |
| 13:00-15:00 |
Hands-on session on the instruments in groups of 2 trainees.
“Imaging in tapping mode”:
- tapping mode AFM – differences with respect to contact mode
- tapping mode AFM – acquiring images
|
| 15:00-16:00 |
Examination of the trainees’ skills on the AFM |
| 16:00-17:00 |
Q&A session followed by “Tips and Tricks” |
|
Related Information
Next training session:
16-18 March 2010
Contact LCN:
Rosie Baverstock-West
London Centre for Nanotechnology
17-19 Gordon street
London WC1H 0AH
UK
tel: +44 (0)20 7679 0055
r.baverstock-west@ucl.ac.uk
Fees:
£3000 ex VAT per booking pair or individual.
Validity of the certification:
3 years
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