Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Facility (AMMRF) is a national grid of equipment, instrumentation and expertise in microscopy and microanalysis that provides nanostructural characterisation capability and services, from widely used optical, electron, X-ray and ion-beam techniques to world-leading flagship platforms. One of the benefits of the network of core facilities is the ability to collaborate to develop online tools that are then accessible by all the laboratories in the network. These tools assist researchers to identify the techniques they need to use, facilitate training and enable data analysis & management.
The Technique Finder (TF) is a web application that enables prospective facility users to identify the techniques most suited to their research, based on a researcher-centric approach and terminology as opposed to instrument-oriented jargon.
MyScope: Training for Advanced Research, is an online suite of education tools for teaching and learning in the area of microscopy and microanalysis. The modules in MyScope contain a number of components including: an interactive questionnaire to allow the user to assess their knowledge, guide choices and tailor the learning environment for flexible learning; self guided tutorials with videos, animations and glossary to prepare students with knowledge and specialist language; virtual instrument platforms to practice use of instrumentation; and online competency testing to demonstrate readiness for hands-on experience.
A Data Management System (DMS) addresses the needs of an increasing number of AMMRF users who are using high-end instruments to produce large datasets. Those users are facing the demands of a new wave of data-intensive instruments and software that enable: higher spatial resolution; higher chemical resolution; 3D and 4D+ approaches; more rapid dynamic processes; and multi-dimensional analyses.
A specific analysis platform being developed is the Atom Probe Workbench. This tool is a component of a larger national eResearch project in Australia, that is aiming to integrate existing tools and techniques with a network of specialised cloud-based computing systems and data-storage facilities. This integration will enable the atom probe research community to access and create valuable tools, accelerating the research process.
The authors acknowledge support from the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy; National eResearch Architecture Taskforce; Office of Learning and Teaching; and National eResearch Collaboration Tools and Resources (NeCTAR) project.