Training

TEM sample preparation for soft materials (by ultramicrotomy)

Materials for TEM must be specially prepared to thickness, which allow electrons to transmit through the sample, much like light is transmitted through materials in conventional optical microscopy. Ultramicrotomy is the preparation of ultra-thin sections of the sample for electron microscope observations. The section thicknesses are cut with glass or diamond knives to the range of 30-100 nm. Samples are frequently fixed, stained and embedded before they are sectioned. The goal of the sectioning is to provide a visible, detailed structure representative of the material. This sectioning has been used greatly in the microscopy of biological materials and is finding more use for polymeric materials.

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Operation manual for ultramicrotomy vs2