Access
The Service is available to those eligible to seek research grant support from the EPSRC.
The standard procedure is to award running allocations valid for a period of six months. At the end of this period it is possible to make a brief continuation application which will be judged on prior usage.
A new user wanting to apply for an application please email info@ncs.ac.uk.
For potential users who find an urgent need for access to the Service in mid session, a stream-line (Rapid Access) procedure is available whereby a small allocation may be made for a specified project. Users with such an allocation will remain on our database for the rest of the allocation period and will receive user circulars, including a reminder for renewal of allocations near the end of the allocation period.
How To Apply
Calls for submission of requests for allocations on the Service are normally issued twice a year at the beginning of September and March to Heads of Chemistry and Subject-related Departments with a closing date usually at the end of the respective month. Applications are vetted by the Strategic Allocation Panel and approved allocations announced normally by the end of October or April.
For potential users who find an urgent need for access to the Service in mid session, a stream-line (rapid access) procedure is available whereby a small allocation (maximum 5 samples) may be made for a specified project. Users with such an allocation will remain our database for the rest of the allocation period and will receive user circulars, including a reminder for renewal of allocations near the end of the allocation period. (please see attached form)
Download the application form and can send it either as an e-mail attachment to info@ncs.ac.uk or by post to:
National Crystallography Service
School of Chemistry
University of Southampton
Highfield
Southampton. SO17 1BJ.
Once we have received your application we will send you a confirmation by e-mail. The application will then be sent to the Strategy and Allocations Panel for approval. Once an application has been approved you will be sent the appropriate sample submission forms.
Eligible persons who are not already a User and would like to apply for an allocation during an open Call can send a request email to info@ncs.ac.uk and will be set up on the database then may apply online: https://portal2.ncs.ac.uk/
For further information please contact info@ncs.ac.uk or 02380 596 722 and speak to one of our staff.
Sample Submission
Guidance for filling in the Sample Submission Form
Once your rapid access application has been accepted you will be sent a link to the https://portal2.ncs.ac.uk/
Then you will need to reset your password
Once you are in the portal2 you can then Submit a Submission Form
Click on New Sample
- Your ref
- Sample type: Data Collection/Full Structure
- Priority: Low/Medium/High/Reserved
- Expected Formula:
- Upload Expected Structure or Draw Expected Structure
- Choose File
- NB: Uploaded image must be in JPEG or PNG format
- Hazards (select any hazards that apply)
- Solvents (select any solvents that apply)
- New Solvent (you can add any new solvents into the databease, if required)
- Sensitivity
- Radioactive
- Bioactive
- Experiment Text (input details on sample notes)
- Click Next
- Review your submission form and Edit if required or Generate PDF to print
- Click the back button on the top left hand menu bar and scroll down to the bottom of the submission form and click: Submit Sample
- Send your printed copy with your sample in the post.
Please indicate if you require a different type of experiment than our standard experiment on the sheet. If possible please email the team prior to sending in your sample so we can clarify what you need in advance, meaning your sample will be dealt with quicker.
If you give any additional information, for example unit cells, please state clearly what this information is and how it relates to the data you want collected.
Special storage instructions: please indicate if you need your sample to be stored in the fridge (4°C) or freezer (-15°C), or other requirements. Please try to let the team know prior to your sample arriving if you have any unusual requests, outside of refrigeration.
For particularly sensitive samples, please provide specific handling information/details. If the sample is so sensitive that the container can only be opened once please indicate this. (more info)
If your samples contain radioactive elements please consult the special arrangements that MUST be made prior to sending them to us. (more info)
Unless we contact you ALL samples submitted will be returned.
Please inform us of change of address, although this no longer appears on the form we need this information for our database.
Email addresses: You can provide additional ones, but confirmation of receipt etc will only go to the principal investigator.
Find out more about how we handle samples.
Please send samples, appropriately packaged, to
UK National Crystallography Service
School of Chemistry
University of Southampton
Southampton
SO17 1BJ