All proposals requesting PARADIM resources should be submitted through the web portal at http://www.paradim.org/user_program/submissions
Based on input from past users, four different proposal types have evolved to cover common use cases. We encourage potential users to reach out to our staff scientists and facility directors to discuss project ideas and intended equipment use prior to submission. General inquires can be send to contact@paradim.org. Example proposals for lab access and materials requests are found on the PARADIM website.
Lab Access Proposal
This category is the main portal to gain access to PARADIM’s facilities and covers in-person and remote interactions. Proposed work can involve any number of available facilities and sites of PARADIM. Extensive training of new users, staff support, and materials and supplies will be provided. All proposals will be externally reviewed by experienced materials discoverers.
Based on the proposed work PARADIM will grant time allocation that can range from a few days to several weeks, depending on the particular project. It is encouraged to include an estimate for the requested usage at any instrument.
The Lab access proposal package needs to consist of three files to be uploaded during submission.
- PARADIM Project Proposal Cover Sheet (Fillable PDF)
- Research Proposal (2-3 Pages) MS Word or PDF format accepted
- CV for Principal Investigator (Standard NSF format, up to 2 pages)
The research proposal requesting Lab Access should be written in light of the external review process and the associated PARADIM proposal review criteria (additional suggestions see here). It should specifically address:
- The scientific opportunity, approach, and significance
- Implementation of the MGI approach and PARADIM's role in closing the materials-by-design loop
- Alignment with PARADIM's technical focus
- Inorganic materials with superior electronic characteristics
- Expertise of the proposing PI and anticipated co-workers in the scientific domain of proposed research
- Should refer to prior works at PARADIM and results thereof, if any.
- Lack of expertise in equipment and software operation will be supplemented by PARADIM staff as necessary
- Appropriateness of PARADIM facilities (which instrument, estimated time of user, etc.)
- Additional characterization methods and metrics for assessing material quality and utilization of materials in devices, etc.
Duration between proposal submission and approval can range from 6 to 10 weeks, depending on availability of reviewers.
Feasibility Proposal
This proposal type covers rapid access to a single facility for a very short usage time to test the equipment or materials for which a larger project is anticipated. A common use case is a melt test for raw materials under laser heating. Please reach out to PARADIM staff to discuss your ideas.
The Feasibility proposal package requires two items for submission:
- PARADIM Project Proposal Cover Sheet (Fillable PDF)
- Short paragraph describing the project idea and required access, to be entered on the submission page
The feasibility proposals will be internally reviewed.
Materials (Sample-only) Proposal
Here, researchers can request samples of materials that have previously been synthesized at PARADIM and that can be re-grown by PARADIM staff based on established recipes. Please have a look at PARADIM’s Periodic Table and discuss material availability with our scientific staff.
The Materials proposal package needs to consist of two items for submission:
- PARADIM Project Proposal Cover Sheet (Fillable PDF)
- Short paragraph describing the project idea and required access, to be entered on the submission page
The Materials Proposal will be internally reviewed. In case the material of interest requires extensive equipment time or staff efforts we will request an external review, and sufficient detail for this step is usually provided via a Lab Access Proposal.
We will get back to you with additional details and questions, e.g., available sample size(s), time frame if re-growth is needed, or known limitations like moisture sensitivity.
Kavli-PARADIM Summer Fellowship
The Kavli-PARADIM program invites researchers and their students from teaching-oriented or minority-focused institutions, e.g., HBCU, non-PWI, and non-R1, to interact with platform scientists and members of the in-house research team to develop a full research project that will be executed in a longer visit during a whole summer or sabbatical. Reasonable travel and accommodation at PARADIM sites will be supported.
Expressions of interest require two items for submission:
- PARADIM Project Proposal Cover Sheet (Fillable PDF)
- Short paragraph describing the project idea and required access, to be entered on the submission page
Proposals for the fellowship will be internally reviewed.
