Annually, over 1,500 researchers at MIT.nano depend on more than 200 tools and instruments for experiments, generating 160,000 hours of work in 88,000 tool uses. This requires a robust operational system to ensure fair access and smooth research processes. The facility uses an automated reservation system to coordinate demands and maintain an efficient shared lab environment.
MIT.nano has integrated this system with MIT’s digital infrastructure to streamline onboarding, safety training, and billing, allowing researchers to focus on their work. In response to rapid growth, MIT.nano transitioned to a new platform over the past three years to maintain operational continuity and support complex research needs.
Previously, MIT.nano and other MIT labs used the CORAL platform, developed jointly with Stanford in 2003. However, as CORAL’s development slowed, MIT.nano adopted NEMO, an open-source lab management system from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. NEMO manages tool reservations and user access, adapting to the evolving needs of the research environment.
According to Thomas Lohman, senior software and systems manager at MTL, NEMO offered essential features that CORAL lacked. Anna Osherov, associate director for Characterization.nano, emphasized the need for a modern, user-friendly system to enhance both user and staff experiences.
MIT.nano collaborated with Mathieu Rampant, NEMO project lead, to implement the community edition of NEMO. This open-source approach allows MIT.nano’s improvements to benefit the wider research community. NEMO’s new features provide mobile access, improved transparency, and streamlined workflows for facility users.
The implementation of NEMO required collaboration and integration with MIT’s existing infrastructure. Jorg Scholvin, associate director of Fab.nano, highlighted the challenges of adapting the system for diverse lab environments. The integration efforts were supported by MIT Information Systems and Technology teams.
The NEMO platform now handles thousands of daily reservations and communications, enhancing lab operations. Marco Gomes, Senior Director for Infrastructure Operations, praised the collaboration with MIT.nano. MIT.nano’s deployment of NEMO serves as a scalable model for other facilities and research centers globally.
Original Source: news.mit.edu
