Beamtime at BCSB: Proprietary and Non-proprietary Access
Whether you plan to publish your findings or develop them commercially, you can use BCSB beamlines at the ALS. The right option depends on what you intend to do with your results.
Proprietary: No beamtime charge for published research.
Non-proprietary: Full confidentiality for proprietary work.
Which option is right for you?
| Non-proprietary | Proprietary | |
| Best for | Research you plan to publish in scientific journals | Research you want to keep confidential or commercialize |
| Beamtime cost | No charge | Fee based on cost recovery for ALS usage |
| Your data | Intended for the open literature | Yours to retain and treat as confidential |
| Before beamtime | Claim your shifts as non-proprietary | Set up a Proprietary User Agreement, pay in advance, and claim your shifts (details below) |
Please note: All users, proprietary and non-proprietary, are responsible for the day-to-day costs of their research, such as supplies, phone calls, and technical support.
Non-proprietary Research: No Beamtime Charge
If you intend to publish your results in scientific journals, the ALS does not charge for your beamtime. Before your beamtime, claim your shifts as non-proprietary by emailing BCSBbeamtime@lbl.gov.
Proprietary Research: Your Data Stays Yours
If your work is not intended for publication, proprietary access gives you full control over your results.
What you get:
- Exclusive rights to your data: the Government and the University have no rights to data generated during your proprietary research.
- The ability to take title to any inventions made during your beamtime.
- The right to retain your results and treat all technical data from your beamtime as proprietary.
What counts as proprietary data? Technical data that embodies trade secrets, was developed at private expense, and is not generally known or available from other sources without obligations regarding confidentiality. Proprietary research is not intended for open literature.
What it costs: You’ll be charged a fee based on cost recovery for ALS usage. Charges are assessed in four- or eight-hour increments.
How to get started with proprietary beamtime
- Set up an ALS Proprietary User Agreement. A fully executed agreement must be in place with LBNL before your beamtime. To request one, or to ask whether you already have one on file, contact Veronica Rivas-Yoos at vryoos@lbl.gov. We recommend reaching out early, since the agreement must be finalized before you can be scheduled.
- Submit payment in advance. The Department of Energy requires LBNL to collect payment before any proprietary usage. Funds must be received at least five business days before your beamtime. Questions about payment or your proprietary account balance? Contact Veronica Rivas-Yoos at vryoos@lbl.gov.
- Claim your shifts as proprietary. Email BCSBbeamtime@lbl.gov before your beamtime begins.
Questions?
Proprietary User Agreements and account balances (proprietary research only): Veronica Rivas-Yoos, vryoos@lbl.gov
Claiming shifts and scheduling: BCSBbeamtime@lbl.gov
FAQ
How do I know whether my research is proprietary or non-proprietary?
If you intend to publish your results in scientific journals, your research is non-proprietary. If your results are not intended for the open literature, for example because they involve trade secrets or work developed at private expense, your research is proprietary.
Is non-proprietary beamtime really free?
The ALS does not charge for non-proprietary beamtime. All users, however, are responsible for the day-to-day costs of their research, such as supplies, phone calls, and technical support.
How much does proprietary beamtime cost?
Proprietary users pay a fee based on cost recovery for ALS usage. Charges are assessed in four- or eight-hour increments. For questions about your proprietary account balance, contact Veronica Rivas-Yoos at vryoos@lbl.gov.
What do I need to do before my proprietary beamtime?
There are three steps:
- Have a fully executed ALS Proprietary User Agreement in place with LBNL. Contact Veronica Rivas-Yoos at vryoos@lbl.gov to request one or to check whether you already have one on file.
- Make sure your payment is received by LBNL at least five business days before your beamtime. Contact Veronica Rivas-Yoos with any payment questions.
- Claim your shifts as proprietary by emailing BCSBbeamtime@lbl.gov.
Who do I contact to set up a Proprietary User Agreement or ask about my account balance?
Contact Veronica Rivas-Yoos at vryoos@lbl.gov. She can help you request a new agreement, check whether you already have one on file, and answer questions about your proprietary account balance. She handles proprietary research only.
Why do I have to pay in advance?
The Department of Energy requires LBNL to obtain payment in advance for all proprietary usage.
Who owns my data and inventions in proprietary research?
The Government and the University have no rights to the data you generate during proprietary research. You may take title to any inventions made during your beamtime, retain your results, and treat all technical data from the beamtime as proprietary.
How do I claim shifts or ask about scheduling?
Before your beamtime, email BCSBbeamtime@lbl.gov and state whether your shifts are proprietary or non-proprietary. Use the same address for any scheduling questions.