Can I buy a paper without membership?
Yes. Individual paper purchases provide the selected PDF for internal use. Membership instead provides reading access to included resources during the purchased period. See the paper store and usage terms.
FAQ
Common questions about SEM Lab
These answers clarify what SEM Lab does, what the review format includes, and when the member library is the better fit.
SEM Lab orientation
Focused remote review, a structured written review process, and a reusable technical library.
May members download papers?
No. Membership is browser reading access only. Downloading, saving, copying, or redistributing member material is not permitted. A separate individual store purchase permits saving that purchased PDF for internal use.
Does membership renew automatically?
The current checkout takes a one-time payment for 30 days of monthly access or 365 days of annual access. It does not establish automatic recurring billing.
Are refunds available?
NO REFUNDS. Check the scope, input requirements, and access terms before purchasing. Contact SEM Lab about a payment or access problem. This policy does not limit rights that cannot legally be excluded.
What do the tools provide?
Paid tool runs provide the screening output described on each tool page. They do not include a consulting review or certify compliance. Check the input requirements and analytical limitations before purchasing.
How long does a technical review take?
Ed confirms availability and expected timing when accepting the scope. An urgency selection on the intake form is a request, not a guaranteed turnaround.
How should I handle confidential material or an NDA?
Contact SEM Lab before submitting material that requires an NDA or special handling agreement. Submitting a file does not establish acceptance of a proposed NDA. See the Privacy policy for collection and retention.
What does HELPER do, and is it an AI case review?
HELPER matches questions to indexed SEM Lab resources for review and possible email of relevant links. It is not an instant generative answer service or a case-specific engineering review. If your case has restrictions on AI tools or external services, discuss them before submitting evidence.
What does SEM Lab do?
SEM Lab provides focused remote technical review and a subscription library of failure-analysis knowledge. The emphasis is expert interpretation of technical evidence rather than open-ended lab-service execution.
What is a Focused Technical Review?
It is a fixed-scope review of submitted evidence such as SEM images, EDS data, and case description. The output is a written interpretation of likely mechanism, uncertainty, and next steps.
Is this a full-service lab offering?
No. If the case requires sample prep, destructive analysis, or physical testing, outside labs may be the better fit. SEM Lab’s role is expert interpretation.
What kinds of cases are a good fit?
Cases are a good fit when relevant evidence already exists and the main need is expert interpretation of what that evidence most likely means.
Are follow-up questions included?
Not by default. Additional questions or expanded scope are handled as separate paid work so the engagement stays clear and manageable.
Is phone support available?
The standard format is a structured written review. That structure improves clarity, scope control, and technical accuracy.
What is in the Member Library?
The library includes premium reports, technical notes, failure-mode database entries, and SEM reference material designed for engineers and investigators.
How do I know whether my case fits 1 hour or 2 hours?
Simpler, tightly scoped interpretation requests usually fit a 1-hour review ($250). Broader or more ambiguous evidence sets usually fit a 2-hour review ($500). The intake process helps confirm fit.
Still deciding?
Choose the path that matches the problem.
Use consulting when you need case-specific interpretation. Use the member library when you want reusable technical reference material for recurring questions.