CAES TEM Construction Updates

Email 17 - March 18, 2021

The Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) project is expected to resume the week of March 22. The work is not expected to restrict access or parking, or to generate noise or dust. Here's a look at what is in store:

Early in the week, the vendor is expected to conduct a site survey.
At the conclusion of the survey, crews will begin transporting and unloading crates containing the unassembled TEM.

The work constitutes the start of the second phase of the project to install the new TEM at CAES. The first phase consisted of modifications to the Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory (AIL), where the TEM will be housed, and ended in late 2020. The second phase calls for the installation of the TEM and is expected to take several weeks.

An overview of the TEM project is available here. If you have questions about the project, check the CAES website, reply to this email, or email Project Manager Carson Stronks.

Email 16 — November 12, 2020

Here is a roundup of upcoming construction activity related to the first phase of the project to install a new Transmission Electron Microscope in the CAES facility.

The project's first phase began in July and has consisted of modifications to the Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory (AIL), where the TEM will be housed. The second phase calls for installation of the TEM and is expected to begin in mid-December.

Work for the remainder of this week is expected to generate minimal disruption as crews install the ceiling grid and finish painting in AIL. They also plan to conduct HVAC work in AIL, but no disruptions to the CAES facility's HVAC system are expected.

The week of November 16, crews plan to begin installation of an anti-vibration table in AIL. Plans call for the table to be unloaded on the 16^th, with installation expected to continue through the end of next week.

The week of November 23, crews plan to install acoustical panels, doors, and the passthrough to the Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory (AML), which will enable the transfer of rad samples to the new TEM.

An overview of the TEM project is available here. If you have questions about the project, check the CAES web site, reply to this email, or email Project Manager Carson Stronks.

Email 15 — October 29, 2020

Construction activity related to the first phase of the project to install a new Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) in the CAES facility is expected to continue through the end of November. The project's first phase has consisted of modifications to the Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory (AIL), where the TEM will be housed. Those modifications have taken longer than expected, particularly the installation of aluminum shielding. This has delayed completion of the first phase of the project by a few weeks.

Work for the remainder of this week is expected to generate minimal disruption.

The week of November 2, crews plan to install acoustical panels, ceiling grid, and doors in AIL, along with HVAC work. No disruption to the CAES facility's HVAC system is expected.

The week of November 9, crews will continue working on the interior of AIL and plan to begin installing the passthrough to the Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory (AML), which will enable the transfer of rad samples to the new TEM.

Plans call for the project's second phase, installation of the TEM, to begin in mid-December. The project remains on track for completion, and for the TEM to be operational, in early 2021.

An overview of the project is available here. If you have questions about the project, check the CAES web site, reply to this email, or email Project Manager Carson Stronks.

Email 14 — October 21, 2020

Construction activity related to the installation of the new Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) is expected to continue to generate minimal disruption in the coming weeks as crews install aluminum shielding, sheetrock, insulation, and acoustical panels in the Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory (AIL), where the TEM will be housed.

Crews will be working inside the Catalysis & Transient Kinetics Laboratory (CTK) for the remainder of this week, obstructing access in and around the lab as material is transported from the parking lot into CTK and AIL.

The week of October 26^th crews will be installing the sheetrock and painting the walls in AIL.

The week of November 2^nd crews will be installing acoustical panels and doors.

The first phase of the TEM project is set to be completed in early November. Plans call for the project's second phase, installation of the TEM, to begin later that month. The TEM is expected to be operational in early 2021.

An overview of the TEM project is available here. If you have questions about the project, check the CAES web site, reply to this email, or email Project Manager Carson Stronks.

Email 13 — October 7, 2020

Construction activity related to the installation of the new Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) is expected to continue to generate minimal disruption in the coming weeks as crews install aluminum shielding, insulation, and acoustical panels in the Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory (AIL), where the new TEM will be housed.

The week of October 12th new windows will be installed in AIL, on the exterior of the CAES facility. There should be no impact on anyone in the facility.

The week of October 19th crews expect to be working inside the Catalysis & Transient Kinetics Laboratory (CTK), on the lab's east side. Access in and around CTK will remain obstructed for the next few weeks as material is transported from the parking lot into AIL, and the construction activity could create periodic, brief disruptions — noise, dust, and vibrations.

The first phase of the TEM project remains on track for completion at the end of this month. Plans call for the project's second phase, installation of the TEM, to begin in late November. The TEM is expected to be operational in early 2021.

An overview of the TEM project is available here. If you have questions about the project, check the CAES web site, reply to this email, or email Project Manager Carson Stronks.

Email 12 — October 1, 2020

Construction activity related to the installation of the new Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) is expected to continue to generate minimal disruption in the coming weeks as crews install aluminum shielding, insulation, and acoustical panels in the Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory (AIL), where the new TEM will be housed.

The first phase of the TEM project remains on track for completion at the end of this month. Plans call for the project's second phase, installation of the TEM itself, to begin in late November. The TEM is expected to be operational in early 2021.

Access in and around the Catalysis & Transient Kinetics Laboratory will remain obstructed for the next few weeks as material is transported from the parking lot into AIL, and the construction activity could create periodic, brief disruptions — noise, dust, and vibrations.
A couple of photos are attached.

An overview of the TEM project is available here. If you have questions about the project, check the CAES web site, reply to this email, or email Project Manager Carson Stronks.

Email 11 — September 24, 2020

Construction activity related to the installation of the new Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) is expected to generate minimal disruption over the next three weeks as crews continue to focus their efforts on building new walls and installing aluminum shielding, insulation, and acoustical panels in the Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory (AIL), where the new TEM will be housed.

The first phase of the TEM project calls for modifying AIL and is on track for completion at the end of October. Plans call for the project's second phase, the actual installation of the TEM, to begin in November. The TEM is expected to be operational in early 2021.

Access in and around the Catalysis & Transient Kinetics Laboratory could remain obstructed for the next three weeks as material is transported from the parking lot into AIL, and the work in AIL could create periodic, brief disruptions — noise, dust, and vibrations.

An overview of the TEM project is available here. If you have questions about the project, check the CAES web site, reply to this email, or email Project Manager Carson Stronks.

Email 10 — September 15, 2020

Crews continue to make progress modifying the Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory (AIL) to accommodate the new Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM).

These modifications constitute the first phase of the TEM project, which began in July and is on track for completion in approximately one month. The project's second phase, installation of the TEM, is expected to begin in November and the TEM is expected to be operational in early 2021.

This week, on Friday and Saturday, unplanned work on the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system will result in a loss of air conditioning and exhaust in all of the facility's laboratories.

Otherwise, construction activity is expected to be relatively non-disruptive through the end of September as crews focus on building new walls and installing aluminum shielding, insulation, and acoustical panels in the Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory (AIL), where the new TEM will be housed. They will continue to obstruct access in and around the Catalysis & Transient Kinetics Laboratory as material is transported from the parking lot into AIL and could create periodic, brief disruptions — noise, dust, and vibrations.

An overview of the TEM project is available here. If you have questions about the project, check the CAES web site, reply to this email, or email Project Manager Carson Stronks.

Email 9 — September 9, 2020

Construction activity related to the installation of the new Transmission Electron Microscope at the CAES facility is expected to be relatively quiet over the next three weeks as crews focus on building new walls and adding insulation and acoustical panels in the Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory (AIL), where the new TEM will be housed. They will continue to obstruct access in and around the Catalysis & Transient Kinetics Laboratory as material is transported from the parking lot into AIL and could create periodic, brief disruptions — noise, dust, and vibrations.

An overview of the TEM project is available here. If you have questions about the project, check the CAES web site, reply to this email, or email Project Manager Carson Stronks.

Email 8 — September 1, 2020

Here is a rundown of construction activity related to the installation of the new Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) at the CAES facility:

Crews have completed the concrete work in the Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory (AIL), which will house the new TEM.
Work on the facility's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system will begin Thursday (September 3) and continue Friday (September 4). This will result in a lack of air conditioning and exhaust in all of the CAES labs. The office side of the building will not be affected.
The week of September 8, crews will start building new walls in AIL, and adding insulation and acoustical panels. Access will be obstructed in and around the Catalysis & Transient Kinetics Laboratory as workers transport material from the parking lot to AIL. This work is expected to continue through the week of September 14.

An overview of the TEM project is available here. If you have questions about the project, check the CAES web site, reply to this email, or email Project Manager Carson Stronks.

Email 7 — August 25, 2020

Here is a rundown of upcoming construction activity related to the installation of the new Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) at CAES:

Thursday, crews plan to haul in gravel and begin pouring concrete in the Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory (AIL), where the new TEM will be housed. This is expected to have minimal impact in terms of noise and dust, but access will be obstructed in and around the Catalysis and Transient Kinetics (CTK) Laboratory, which the crews are accessing to haul material in and out of the facility in order to avoid disruption and contact with researchers in the facility. There also will be concrete trucks and a pump truck in the parking lot during this work. Please avoid the parking spaces closest to the facility through the end of the week (see map below).
The week of August 31, crews plan to continue pouring concrete and forming the pit that will house the TEM.
Work on the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system will begin on Thursday, Sept. 3^rd and continue Sept. 4, requiring air conditioning and exhaust to be shut down in all CAES labs. The office side of the building will not be affected.
The week of September 8, crews will start building new walls in AIL, and also adding insulation and acoustical panels. Access will be obstructed in and around CTK Lab as workers transport material.

An overview of the TEM project is available here. If you have questions about the project, check the CAES web site, reply to this email, or email Project Manager Carson Stronks.

Email 6 — August 18, 2020

Here is a rundown of construction activity related to the installation of the new Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) at CAES through the end of the month:

On Thursday, crews plan to reroute the main drain line for the CAES facility. This work likely will affect all laboratory sinks and drains for 3-4 hours. Researchers should avoid use of the drains while the work is underway.
On Thursday and Friday, crews plan to haul in gravel and begin pouring concrete in the Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory, where the new TEM will be housed. This is expected to have minimal impact in terms of noise and dust, but access will be obstructed in and around the Catalysis and Transient Kinetics Laboratory (CAES 113) as workers transport material. There also will be concrete trucks and a pump truck in the parking lot during this work.
The week of August 24, crews plan to continue pouring concrete and forming the pit that will house the TEM.
The week of August 31, work on the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) will begin, requiring the air conditioning unit to be shut down at some point. Details on the timing and duration of the outage to come. Wall construction is expected to commence this week too.

An overview of the TEM project is available here. If you have questions about the project, check the CAES web site, reply to this email, or email Project Manager Carson Stronks.

Email 5 — August 11, 2020

This week for the TEM project — the Crews will be moving out the concrete and dirt from the pit that will house the new TEM. On Friday (14^th) possibly saw cutting.

Monday 17th- possibly saw cutting if it didn't happen on Friday. Crews will be reroute the main drain line, which could affect all laboratory sinks on both floors at CAES. There will be disruptions in water in the labs for 3-4 hours. Researchers should avoid use of the drains in the labs while the work is under way. Tuesday-Friday- Start concrete work in the pit this will have minimal impact on CAES other than using the CTK to get materials in and out.

The week of the 24^th-Start framing walls and sheeting the walls.

An overview of the project is available here, along with previous updates.

If you have questions about the project, check the CAES web site or email Project Manager Carson Stronks.

Email 4 — August 5, 2020

The remainder of this week — week 3 of the TEM project — is expected to be quiet as there is no need for saw cutting on Thursday and Friday. Instead, the construction crew will continue to excavate dirt from the pit that will house the new equipment. Saw cutting is expected to resume Monday and Tuesday (August 10-11), however. The plan for next week also calls for crews to reroute the main drain line, which could affect all laboratory sinks on both floors at CAES.

An overview of the project is available here, along with previous updates.

If you have questions about the project, check the CAES web site, reply to this email, or email Project Manager Carson Stronks.

Email 3 — July 28, 2020

Reminder: We'll be holding a virtual open house tomorrow (Wednesday, July 29) at 11 am MT to go over the project to install a transmission electron microscope (TEM) at the CAES facility.

Project Manager Carson Stronks will discuss the schedule and communication plan for the project, which began July 20 and is expected to continue through October. A question-and-answer session will follow. CAES Chief Operations Officer Anita Gianotto and/or CAES Research Operations Lead Jana Pfeiffer will be available to answer questions.

As mentioned last week, the project is expected to periodically disrupt activity at the CAES facility, with the disruptions ranging from access restrictions at the west entrance (facing the Snake River) to noise and vibrations building-wide. We will provide weekly updates of upcoming construction activities, highlighting those that are expected to impact CAES residents. Here's an update:

The remainder of this week is expected to consist of digging and removing concrete from the Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory (AIL, home of the new TEM) with a mini excavator and forklift.
Crews are using the loading dock and the Catalysis and Transient Kinetics Laboratory (CTK, in CAES 113) to access the CAES facility. Researchers accessing the CTK Lab should use caution when entering and exiting the lab as contractors will be using CTK to transport materials in and out of the CAES facility.
The week of August 3, crews will continue digging in AIL. There could be saw cutting/chipping on August 6-7. This would cause loud noises, vibration, and dust.
The week of August 10, crews will reroute the main drain line, which could affect all laboratory sinks on both floors at CAES.
An overview of the project is available here, along with previous updates on the project.

Email 2 — July 23, 2020

We will be holding a virtual open house/briefing on the project to install the new transmission electron microscope (TEM) at CAES on Wednesday, July 29, at 11 am.

The event will feature an overview of the project by Project Manager Carson Stronks. Carson will discuss the schedule and communication plan for the project, which began Monday and is expected to continue through October. A question-and-answer session will follow. CAES Chief Operations Officer Anita Gianotto and CAES Research Operations Lead Jana Pfeiffer also will be available to answer questions.

The project is expected to periodically disrupt activity at the CAES facility, with the disruptions ranging from access restrictions at the west entrance (facing the Snake River) to noise and vibrations building-wide. We will provide weekly updates of upcoming construction activities, highlighting those that are expected to impact CAES residents. On Monday, July 27, the construction crew plans to cut into the floor of the Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory, which will house the new TEM. This saw cutting is expected to take several hours and will create noise and vibrations throughout the CAES facility. The remainder of the week is expected to consist of excavation of the pit that will house the new TEM. This may create dust but is not expected to lead to noise or vibrations. If that changes, we will alert you as soon as possible.

If you have questions about the project, please reply to this email, email Carson Stronks, or attend the virtual open house. Please check your email for contact information.

Email 1 — July 16, 2020

Construction on the project to install a new Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) in the CAES facility begins Monday. For more information about the TEM and the project in general, go here. Here is a rundown of the construction activity coming up and how it might impact you:

The first week, starting July 20, will primarily consist of demolition in the Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory (AIL), which will be remodeled to house the TEM.
Construction crews plan to use the loading dock and the Catalysis and Transient Kinetics Laboratory (CTK, in CAES 113) to access the CAES facility.
CAES residents are encouraged to avoid CAES' west entrance/exit as much as possible due to periods of significant activity and the fact that the area by the loading dock door will be roped off periodically.
The contractor plans to set up a trailer north of the storage shed that is located between the CAES facility and the Snake River (see map).
An area at the northern tip of the parking lot (see map) will be restricted to make room for construction material and equipment.
Access to AIL will be off-limits to everyone except contractors and members of the project team for the duration of project, which is expected to take three months.
Researchers accessing the CTK Lab should use caution when entering and exiting the lab as contractors will be using CTK to transport materials in and out of the CAES facility.
Construction activity the week of July 27 could be disruptive, with an estimated 4-5 hours of saw cutting that could cause vibration and noise throughout the CAES facility.
- Construction activity the week of the 27^th also will consist of the removal of concrete and dirt from the building.