The MIT DMSE Breakerspace is a materials exploration lab open to all undergraduates.


Reserve Instrument Time

Book instrument time in LibCal

Screen-reader and keyboard-friendly booking.

How To Book In LibCal

  1. Choose your instrument in LibCal. Reservations open three calendar days ahead; the next date becomes available at midnight.
  2. Select a start and end time. Availability is shown in 15-minute blocks.
  3. Select Submit Times and sign in through MIT Touchstone with your own Kerberos account.
  4. Check the instrument, date, and full time range, then complete the booking. Save the confirmation to manage your reservation.

Reservation Rules

  • Aim for one hour or less, including setup and cleanup. Ask staff before booking a longer uninterrupted session if your method requires it.
  • Stay in the lab throughout your reserved session.
  • Arrive on time. If the instrument is unoccupied 10 minutes after your reservation starts, you lose priority and it becomes first come, first served. You may use it only if it remains available.
  • Finish on time. Complete data export, cleanup, and shutdown or handoff before the next reservation begins.
  • Cancel unused time as soon as possible using the management link in your LibCal confirmation. If you cannot find it, email dmse-breakerspace@mit.edu.

Reserve The Lab Or Lounge

For a class or organized activity needing coordinated or exclusive use of the lab, lounge, or both, email dmse-breakerspace@mit.edu. Request whole-lab reservations at least one week in advance.

Include:

  • the course or activity and expected attendance;
  • the requested date and time, including setup and cleanup, and possible alternatives;
  • the spaces and instruments needed;
  • the responsible instructor or organizer and participating teaching staff; and
  • any training, access, staffing, sample, or safety needs.

Contact staff earlier for recurring sessions, large groups, multiple instruments, or help with staffing, samples, or training. Your reservation is confirmed only when you receive written approval from the Breakerspace.

A lab reservation blocks all instruments, even if the activity uses only part of the room. A lounge-only reservation does not block instruments. Confirmed activities affecting lab availability appear on the Breakerspace calendar.