Microwave preparation of biological samples for light and electron microscopy is available using a new (2022) Pelco Biowave Pro+ with EM accessories, including vacuum, stirring and temperature control capabilities. Results in accelerated and in many cases, enhanced, sample preparation.

Deluxe EM vibratome tissue sectioning system with temperature control and various stage assemblies. For 10s-of-microns scale sectioning of fresh, fixed, or agarose embedded materials. Sectioned materials can be directly imaged with optical microscopy, further prepared for SEM imaging, or embedded in resin and sectioned at micron or nanometre thickness.

Used to fully dry biological / organic / polymer / soft samples, typically for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. Uses carbon dioxide and has a wide range of specimen baskets.

A Leica EM UC6 ultramicrotome, Reichert ultramicrotome, and a Sorval microtome are available for cutting sections for light microscopy (500 nm - 5 um) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM; 50 nm - 200 nm). The UC6 microtome also has an FC6 cryo-microtome attachment.

A dedicated vacuum oven is available, which aids resin infiltration and curing under vacuum. Can be used at room temperature and as a curing oven and can provide an O-free environment for curing methacrylate resins.

The Leica EMPact II High Pressure Freezer produces optimal cryopreservation of samples, preserving ultrastructure without chemical distortion, or ice crystal formation & damage.

Samples must be small (< 400 um) and can subsequently be imaged directly using cryoSEM, freeze dried for room temperature SEM, or freeze-substituted for room temperature TEM.

The Leica Freeze Substitution system allows for frozen samples to be bought to room temperature, before being resin embedded for room temperature TEM imaging.

The Leica EM ACE600 system with VCT500 shuttle attachment facilitates the transfer of cryo-prepared samples into the cryoSEM. The unit can be used to freeze fracture, sublimate, and coat samples (metal and/or carbon) prior to cryoSEM imaging and/or element analysis.

Using the shuttle the workflow can extend from either the VCM or the FC7 cryo-microtome, into the ACE600, with final vacuum transfer to the cryoSEM.

A dedicated Leica EM UC7/FC7 cryo-microtome with VCT500 shuttle attachment is available for cryo-microtomy purposes (cryo-sections, cryo-planing, Tokyashu technique) and direct transfer of samples to the ACE600 CryoSEM preparation system. The UC6 microtome also has an FC6 cryo-microtome attachment.

A leica GP2 plunge freezing system is available for the cryo-preparation of samples for cryoSEM and cryoTEM. This system is designed to rapidly cryo-preserve the sample by plunge freezing into liquid ethane, with minimal ice crystal formation & damage to structure. CryoTEM grids can be blotted, and procedures can be automatically saved and recalled. Small cryoSEM samples mounted on pins can also be plunge frozen using the GP2.

Buehler Handimet two-roll grinder for manual grinding applications. Self-contained four stage grinding stations with controlled water flow.

Used for applying a conductive carbon coating to the sample surface.

Utilized for coating samples with platinum or gold to enhance conductivity.