Name Signs for Graduate Seating Rooms
New name signs have been installed on all the storage units in the graduate seating rooms. This signage allows for students to display their names on the locker that is assigned to them.
Name Template Instructions
Name Template
Composting Paper Towels in LKSKI Bathrooms
We are happy to announce that the LKSKI bathrooms now have a separate container for composting paper towels. Please ensure that only paper towels are put into this container to avoid contamination.
For any feedback or concerns, please contact emma.oneil@unityhealth.to.
What really goes in the sharps bin?
Throughout the facility, new sharps posters have been posted to help users identify what is considered a sharp or not.
If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to neha.chauhan@unityhealth.to.
New Equipment in the Microfabrication Core
We are pleased to announce a new piece of equipment that has been added to our Microfabrication Core – the Zetasizer Advance Series – Ultra (Red Label) particle analysis instrument. The Zetasizer has been successfully installed in the 7th-floor Analytical Room and is ready for users. 
Zetasizer Ultra is a top-of-the-line instrument based on Dynamic Light Scattering technology.
Some of the key features of Zetasizer are:
- High-resolution measurements for particle size range between 0.3 nm and 10 μm
- Particle concentration measurements of absolute particle concentration, calibration-free
- Reliable zeta measurements in high conductivity samples
- Repeatable and accurate measurements of protein electrophoretic mobility by minimizing aggregation risk at the electrodes during the measurement
- Minimum sample volume 3 μL.
We are pleased to also announce that the Direct Write "Maskless" Lithography system MicroWriter ML®3 has been added to the Microfabrication Core. The MicroWriter has been successfully installed in the 7th floor cleanroom and is ready for users. The instrument was funded by Dr. Scott Tsai's CFI IF grant.
This system will allow users to make a photolithography mask for their projects or use it as a stand-alone "maskless" instrument for direct writing onto the photoresist substrates. It will be helpful for researchers making microfluidics devices, microarrays, microlenses, microelectronics, and patterning photosensitive biomaterials for scaffolds used in tissue engineering and cell studies. With this instrument, the entire process flow can be completed in our cleanroom with significantly reduced manufacturing lead times.
For additional information about the instrument, training and use, please contact Microfabrication Core Specialist, Dario Bogojevic at Dario.Bogojevic@unityhealth.to.
Research Facilities Email Changes
We have switched over the following emails ending in @smh.ca to end in @unityhealth.to:
ResearchFacilities@smh.ca is now ResearchFacilities@unityhealth.to
vivarium@smh.ca is now vivarium@unityhealth.to
acc@smh.ca is now acc@unityhealth.to
Emails sent to the @smh.ca email addresses will be redirected to the new @unityhealth.to email addresses.
Need to centrifuge your samples at high speed?
New high-speed and ultra-speed centrifuges are available for booking in room 654. To use these centrifuges, all new users will need to complete our online training module found here, and contact core specialist Colleen Ding to receive hands-on training. A PIN will then be provided to obtain access. Existing users who have already received hands on training or have experience using the centrifuges can contact Colleen Ding to receive a PIN without completing the online training module.
Please remember to book all centrifuges in advance.
If you have any questions, please contact Colleen Ding at Colleen.Ding@unityhealth.to.
Ultracentrifuge Training Module
Please label all compressed gas tanks in LKSKI receiving area
A section of the loading dock/receiving area of the LKSKI is devoted to storing the compressed gases that many groups use in their work. An audit of the area was undertaken recently that highlighted a large number of stored tanks that have been stored, unused, for long periods of time. We are asking all group's to: 
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Clearly label all cylinders with the group’s name
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Only store the minimum amount that you require for your work
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If the cylinder is not used and is not going to be used in the near future, please arrange for the company that rented you the cylinder to collect it
Moving forward, there will be monthly checks on the storage area and any cylinder found without a label identifying the group will be returned to the supplier.
Change in Chemical Waste Disposal Guidelines
We have updated our chemical waste disposal guidelines. To view the updated document, please click here. Hazardous waste stickers are available in Room 545. Please remember to stick them on the waste bottle as soon as you start collecting the waste. If you have any questions/concerns, please email the Biosafety Officer, Neha Chauhan at Neha.Chauhan@unityhealth.to
Security Enhancements
We are excited to announce that, based on your feedback, we have made some security enhancements to the Research Facility Business Management System
(RFBMS).
These new changes will make your experience with us easier, faster and more secure!
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Honey, I shrunk the lab: Technology for making small devices has a big impact for St. Michael’s and Ryerson researchers
In medical imaging research, bubbles that are too small to be seen by the naked eye can help scientists see things they’ve never seen before – and St. Michael’s 
Hospital now has the tools on-site to create, control and validate them through research.
Read More ›