AI agent for materials scientists
Sample Preparation for Electron Microscopy Scheduling Agent
Each sample reaches the microscope prepared, with a booked slot that fits instrument limits
What it does
Preparing samples for electron microscopy takes days, and the session can fail because the preparation does not fit the instrument time or conditions. This agent reads each sample's preparation steps, such as coating, sectioning or drying, and the instrument needs, such as vacuum level and conductivity. It matches them to the facility calendar, flags long lead steps, and books provisional slots. It checks whether a slot's instrument can handle the sample, for example whether a non-conductive sample needs coating. When a step slips, it rebooks. The scientist approves every booking. Edge case: a sample needs 48 hours of drying and the slot is in 36 hours, so the agent moves the slot.
How it works
Follow the arrows from top to bottom. The orange dashed arrow is the loop: when a check fails, the agent goes back and tries again.
Read the steps as a list
- Samples planned
- Read sample details and preparation steps
- Calculate preparation timelines and lead times
- Read the facility calendar and instrument specs
- Select candidate slots
- Does each slot start after preparation and fit instrument limits?If not: choose a later slot or a different instrument. Back to step 4.
- Place provisional bookings
- Scientist approves the bookingsThe agent waits here for your OK.
- Track preparation progress
- Is every sample on schedule for its slot?If not: rebook to the next valid slot and notify the scientist. Back to step 4.
- Confirmed booking schedule
How it decides
A slot is valid only if all preparation finishes at least 4 hours earlier and the instrument supports the sample.
- Require preparation to finish 4 hours before the slot
- Flag any sample that needs coating before a conductive-only instrument
- Prefer slots in the morning for long sessions
- Give priority to the longest lead items
Make it yours
Every agent is a starting point. You choose these settings for your own situation.
- Buffer after preparation (default 4 hours)
- Instruments allowed
- Lead time for bookings
- Booking system
What keeps you in control
It always asks you first
- Every booking
- Any cancellation of a slot
Hard limits
- Never confirms a booking without approval
- Never alters sample records
It stops when
- Done: all samples booked and ready
- Stop: no instrument meets sample needs
Set it up
We guide you through the set-up, step by step
Members get the full set-up guide for this agent. No technical skills needed: you copy, paste and upload.
- One set of instructions to paste into your AI, with the clicks for ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Gemini and Grok
- The agent then walks you through connecting your own data, one source at a time
- A downloadable copy with the flow chart, the rules and the full guide
