MIT.nano has transitioned to the open-source laboratory management system NEMO to handle its extensive research activity, which encompasses more than 160,000 hours annually and over 200 specialized tools used by 1,500 researchers across MIT disciplines.
Enhancing Lab Operations with NEMO
The new platform replaces the older CORAL system, which MIT.nano had adopted in 2018 but had begun to show limitations, particularly in usability and modernization. Originally developed by MIT and Stanford in 2003, CORAL lacked features such as mobile-friendly interfaces and struggled to keep pace with the facility’s growth.
NEMO, initially created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), consolidates scheduling, communication, and operational logistics into a single customizable platform. It supports MIT.nano’s complex environment by accommodating multiple workflows, diverse safety protocols, and administrative requirements within a unified, user-friendly interface accessible via mobile devices.
Integration and Collaboration Within MIT
MIT.nano worked with the MIT Information Systems and Technology team to integrate NEMO with MIT’s broader digital infrastructure. This integration includes onboarding, authentication, safety training, and billing systems, which helps streamline researcher access while ensuring compliance and operational efficiency.
The system enables researchers to track tool usage, manage consumables, register for training, join real-time waitlists, report equipment issues, and communicate with facility staff through a centralized dashboard.
Open Source Community and Scalability
By adopting the community edition of NEMO, enriched through contributions from an expanding global user base, MIT.nano benefits from continuous feature enhancements driven by user and administrator feedback. This collaborative approach accelerates improvements and allows MIT.nano to influence the platform’s evolution while sharing innovations with other research facilities worldwide.
MIT.nano’s implementation has become a model for large, shared-access research centers, and enhancements developed to meet its specific needs are now leveraged by other institutions adopting NEMO.
Why it matters
The adoption of NEMO at MIT.nano addresses the increasing complexity and demand in shared research environments by providing an integrated, scalable, and user-centered management system. This modernization ensures that researchers can efficiently access and utilize cutting-edge equipment, thereby supporting sustained scientific discovery.
Sources
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