Electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) are becoming increasingly important for research data management in Materials Science and Engineering. They can help document experiments more consistently, connect data with relevant context, and support collaboration across research groups. At the same time, many laboratories still face practical questions when introducing or using ELNs in daily routines.
To address these questions, NFDI-MatWerk invites researchers to the first Open MSE Research Data Community Desk. The 120-minute online event offers a practical exchange on how ELNs can support everyday work in MSE laboratories and where challenges remain. Participation is free of charge.
The session begins with two short impulses from NFDI-MatWerk development contexts. These demonstrator inputs will show how concrete bottlenecks in laboratory data routines can be addressed using ELNs and additional advanced tools. The focus is on practical situations that are familiar to many researchers, such as missing contextual information, time-consuming data sharing, or difficulties in connecting experimental data with sample IDs, process steps, and instrument parameters.
After the initial inputs, participants are invited to contribute their own perspectives. Researchers may briefly describe or present their challenge, question, or use case related to ELNs and managing experimental data in an informal five-minute pitch. Based on these contributions, NFDI-MatWerk will connect participants with relevant expertise, tools, workflows, and guidance from within the NFDI-MatWerk ecosystem.
Typical topics may include the integration of experimental data, the setup of an ELN, the connection of instruments and laboratory routines, or questions about structure, consistency, and sustainable day-to-day use. The format is also open to participants who do not wish to pitch their own challenge but would like to learn from the experiences of others.
The Open MSE Research Data Community Desk marks the beginning of a broader support format by NFDI-MatWerk. This first session focuses on research data management in laboratories with electronic lab notebooks. Further sessions on related topics will follow.
Learn more and register here: https://nfdi-matwerk.de/outreach/events/open-mse-research-data-community-desk