The German Research Foundation (DFG) is funding universities of applied sciences (HAW) in three funding rounds within the framework of the call for proposals "Major Equipment Campaign for Universities of Applied Sciences" in order to expand and use the existing good equipment infrastructure specifically for knowledge-oriented research projects and thus also to lay a foundation for further DFG funding.

The following points, which are to be regarded as equivalent, were considered during the review process:

• The potential of the measure to unlock the existing equipment infrastructure for knowledge-based research;
• the expertise of the scientists involved;
• the embedding of the measure in the structural priorities of the university;
• institutional support for the research-oriented expansion of the equipment infrastructure.

In the 2022 call for proposals, the Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences' proposal entitled "Characterization of materials and structures using scanning electron microscopy and EDX, EBSD and STEM analytics" was able to convince the review panel.

With the approval, the DFG will provide funds for the procurement of the scanning electron microscope with EDX, EBSD and STEM analytics, an ion miller and a sputtering device as well as personnel funds for a research assistant and auxiliary scientific staff for a period of 5 years.

The installation of the system will take place in November/December 2023 and will be available to the working groups of the university for use in the field of research from this time onwards in accordance with the following usage regulations (provisional).

Provisional Regulations for the Use of the Scanning Electron Microscope with EDX, WDX, EBSD Microanalytical System (TESCAN CLARA GMU UniVac UHR FE-REM System)

§1            Scope of application

These usage regulations are valid for the SEM including the microanalytics and the PCs including software. The device is located in the laboratory building H at the Campus Kammgarn, Schoenstraße, 67659 Kaiserslautern. The usage regulations are binding for all users.

§2            Authorized users

All members of the WWHK as well as members of the In-Institute QM3, co-applicants and members of the Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences as well as research partners are authorized to use the system after prior instruction.

§3             Technically and scientifically responsible personnel

The applicant of the DFG project mentioned in the preamble above (INST 252/27-1 (A950)) is responsible for the management of the technical and scientific staff:
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Peter Starke
University of Kaiserslautern, Department of Applied Engineering Sciences
Department of Materials Science and Materials Testing, Institute QM³
Building F, Room 2.027 
Schoenstraße 11, 67659 Kaiserslautern
Tel.: +49 (0) 631-3724-2389

Device Responsible:
M. Sc. Janina Koziol
Building A, Room 120a
Morlauterer Straße 31, 67657 Kaiserslautern
Tel.: +49 (0) 631-3724-2015

Laboratory Responsible:  
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Mario Dieter Elicker        
Building A, Room 312       
Morlauterer Straße 31, 67657 Kaiserslautern   
Tel.: +49 (0) 631-3724-2265

$4             Available resources and services

The SEM is only used by trained employees of the WWHK or the instrument cluster. Within the framework of scientific cooperation, however, it is possible to train employees who can carry out measurements independently with little support from the WWHK.

$5             Time of use allocation

The times of use are to be requested from the person responsible for the equipment.      

All users have the same priorities, provided that enough capacity is available. If the capacity is fully utilized, the measurement times are allocated using a corresponding priority key.

§6             Duties of the users

The SEM may only be operated by trained personnel in compliance with all applicable safety regulations and used for scientific purposes and according to guidelines of good scientific practice.

All actions that could lead to damage to persons or machines are to be avoided.

Modifications to the hardware, configuration of the equipment and installation of software are only permitted with the consent of the person responsible for the equipment.

$7             Tasks, rights and obligations of those responsible for operations

1. Usage times and anomalies during use must be recorded in an operating log.
2. Use may be restricted or suspended by the person responsible for the device due to maintenance work or defects.

§8             Liability of the device operator / disclaimer

1. Users are expected to handle the REM properly and carefully and to report any anomalies, defects, etc. to the person responsible for the equipment immediately.
2. The users are liable for all damages resulting from gross negligence when using the testing system. Gross negligence also exists, for example, in the case of use by untrained personnel.
3. The WWHK, HS Kaiserslautern and the person responsible for the device cannot guarantee that use will be error-free and uninterrupted at all times. Likewise, no guarantee can be given that all user requirements can be achieved accordingly.
4. The WWHK, the HS Kaiserslautern and the person responsible for the device do not guarantee that the software used is free of errors, nor do they guarantee the quality and completeness of the measurement and analysis data.
5. The WWHK, the HS Kaiserslautern and the person in charge of the equipment are not liable for damages of any kind incurred by the users from the use of the aforementioned service.
6. Any official liability claims shall remain unaffected by the above provisions.

§9         Charges/usage fees

Setting after installation

§10       Archiving of measurement data

Each user is responsible for backing up their own data. A central server is available at the WWHK for data storage.

§11       Storage of samples

Each user is responsible for the storage of his/her own samples and preparations.

§12        Exploitation of scientific data

In the case of pure service contracts, the data will be made available to the client in a suitable form and will be the exclusive property of the client.

In case of cooperations, a joint publication of the results is aimed at. In doing so, the promotion of the REM according to scientific practice is to be taken into account. In the case of pure service contracts or if co-authorship is not scientifically justified, consideration should be given at least in the acknowledgement. Users have to inform the responsible persons about possible publications or patents resulting from the measured data.