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EA Submissions

EA Submissions

The beamline team are regularly asked for clarification on some of the EA questions. As a result, we have created this page to highlight how to answer some of the questions that we are most often asked about.

If the answer to your question is not here, it might be covered by the User Office’s EA guide, otherwise feel free to email the beamline team.

Details Tab

Q5. Describe how you will handle and/or prepare samples whilst on-site?

  • If you are not preparing any samples on site, simply state this.

  • If you need to prepare samples on site, state exactly the steps you will take in as much detail as possible.

Example - Powder samples

All powder samples will be prepared as follows:
In the chemistry lab we will accurately weigh 5 mg of the sample powder using an analytical balance and dilute to 1000 mg with cellulose. The diluted sample will then be transferred, using a weigh boat, to a mortar. The sample will then be ground to a fine homogenous mixture. Using a hand pellet press, the mixture will be pressed into a pellet and sealed in Kapton tape.

Example - Thin films

Samples will be electrodeposited on site using the following method:
In the chemistry lab, carbon fibre paper substrates will be immersed in an electrochemical cell containing 0.01 M Mn(NO3)2 solution in 0.10 M phosphate buffer (Solutions will be prepared off-site). Using a 3 electrode set-up with Pt wire and a saturated calomel electrode, the manganese will be electrodeposited onto the carbon fibre paper at a constant current density of 10mA/cm2 for 5 minutes using a potentiostat. Films will then be rinsed with Milli-Q Ultra-pure water and dried under a stream of N2. Dried catalysts will be sandwiched between Kapton tape.

Q7. If a sample is spilled or released, how will you clean it up?

  • Please state what you will do in practice, if a spill were to occur.

    • This can be a simple statement clarifying use of a wetted Kimwipe or spill kit using vermiculite written directly into the EA form.

    • Optionally, if your spill containment measures are complex and do not fit in the EA form, you may attach a document to the EA and simply state “Refer to attached document, named <Insert document name>” in the EA form.

If you state your sample must be cleaned up with a spill kit, you must follow this in the event a spill happens. Please only list what you will actually do in the event of a spill.

Q12. If you require gas, describe which gas and any pressure requirements.

Please specify:

  • Which gases are needed

  • What pressure they are needed at

  • Whether gas flow is required (e.g. in a cell)

  • Require flow rate

  • How you will manage exhaust

Note that prior approval from staff is required to use O2 and CO2 at the beamline.

Samples Tab

Q3. Will the experiment as proposed require the use of bottled gases other than Nitrogen, Argon, Helium, CO2, Oxygen or Air, or the use of any Ultra High Purity Gases?

  • this question is specifically asking about non-standard gases that you may need. Please tick yes or no depending on your requirements.

Q4. List the gases required, including grade, cylinder size.

  • This question possibly causes the most confusion, while the previous question asked specifically about non-standard gases, this question asks about all gases.

  • Please include all gases (including N2, Ar, He, CO2, O2, Air)