The University of Hong Kong
University Central Facilities
Science and Engineering Core Service (Metaphase)

The facilities are available to personnel from both inside and outside the University of Hong Kong. All scientists, researchers and students with research problems for which the laboratory equipment is appropriate are encouraged to make use of the facilities.

The EMU staff can advise and help a user in all aspects of specimen preparation, instrument use, and data interpretation. Since most new users will not be familiar with the operation of the instruments, the EMU staff will train users on a one-to-one basis or in small groups for the basic operation. It should be noted that EMU will offer introductory electron microscopy training each winter term and any graduate student planning on making use of the EMU facilities is encouraged to take this course. The object of the training is for the user to be able to independently operate the EMU equipment required for their research. Generally, the staff members are not always available to perform characterizations on a service basis, rather their function is to help the user obtain results. Under some limited conditions, however, it is possible to make consulting arrangements with individual laboratory staff members, and the laboratory manager should be contacted in these cases. The initiation of collaborative research efforts between laboratory staff and users, whether they are from the University of Hong Kong or another academic or industrial institution, is also encouraged.

Points for Attention before Registration

HKU users should provide a valid 'charge account', its valid periods and supervisor details.
HKU users should provide 'HKU Portal Login ID' to activate the EMU online booking account.
Users from other universities and companies, please reserve service by phone 28173451.
Cancellation of booking can only be made two days in advance through EMU online booking system.
Debit Notes will send to users in January, April, July and October.

Registration Procedure

Please follow the procedure below to become an EMU user.

Read 'Regulation'
Download and fill the registration form
Fax, email, internal mail or hand in your form to EMU
Wait for the email approval (7 Working Days)

Regulation

The service hours of the unit are from 9:30 to 17:30 from Monday to Friday.
Those who want to be EM unit users must submit their proposed studies to the unit committee of management for approval.
The cancellation of the booking should be made two working days in advance. Otherwise, the charge will be incurred for the booked session(s) even that session(s) is/are not being used.
All users must follow the emergency instructions which are posted in the unit.
No equipment, chemicals, and other users' research data will be removed from the laboratory without any permission.
Users are responsible for the proper running of the laboratories. Equipment and materials must be in tidy conditions after used. Breakage, damage, and faults of the equipment must be reported to EM unit staff.
Users are not permitted to alter any alignment on the electron microscopes without any permission.
EMU does not respond to keep or store users' specimens. Users can store their SEM samples in EMU for a reasonable period but no longer than 3 months. TEM resin embedding block will be stored no longer than 3 years. Samples stored over the period will be disposed of without any notice.
When users are doubt in any operation, ask for help, EM unit staff are free to serve.

Data Privacy Policy Statement

HKU Electron Microscope Unit respects personal data and is committed to full implementation and compliance with the data protection principles and all relevant provisions of the Hong Kong Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. We will ensure that staff, students, researchers involved in handling personal data comply with the strictest standards of security and confidentially. HKU Electron Microscope Unit, being part of the HKU, complies with all relevant and applicable HKU policies.