Sample Preparation:

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) sample preparation requires making samples thin enough (typically under 100 nm) for electrons to pass through, a process that varies by material type but often involves fixation, dehydration, embedding in resin, ultrathin sectioning with an ultramicrotome, and staining to enhance contrast for biological samples, while materials samples may use mechanical polishing or ion-beam milling. The goal of sample preparation is to produce an electron-transparent, stable specimen that accurately represents the original material without introducing artifacts. 

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) general sample preparation requires making samples conductive. Some specific analytical techniques also require making samples flat or deoxidizing, or removing the upper amorphous layer.

 The applicability of these methods depends on the sample`s nature, and the desirable analytical output requires various instrumentation and tools according to the preparation trajectory.

Ultramicrotome Leica EM UC7 / FC7:

The Leica EM UC7/FC7 is an ultramicrotome system designed to produce ultrathin sections (50-250nm) from various biological and industrial samples for transmission electron microscopy (TEM), including resin-embedded or cryo-immobilized samples. The system comprises the Leica EM UC7 ultramicrotome, which handles sectioning at room temperature. Key features include precision optics, motorized knife stages, an ergonomic design with a touchscreen, advanced illumination, and a motorized AutoTrim function for efficient and high-quality specimen preparation.

Life science sample preparation lab:

A TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) Life Science Sample Preparation Lab is a specialized facility with instruments and techniques to produce ultra-thin, electron-transparent samples for detailed biological imaging. Key processes include chemical fixation to preserve structure, dehydration to remove water, embedding in resin for stability, and ultrathin sectioning to create slices thin enough (typically under 100 nm) for the TEM to transmit electrons. Additionally, contrast is enhanced using heavy metal stains, and the overall process aims to minimize artifacts to reveal true cellular and subcellular structures. 

Hard Bulk Materials TEM/SEM sample preparation lab:

Preparing hard bulk materials for SEM/TEM analysis involves several key steps, including cutting and polishing the sample to achieve a suitable surface, mounting it onto a stub or grid, and finally applying a thin layer of a conductive coating (for SEM) or preparing it to be electron-transparent (for TEM). For SEM, the primary goal is to create a conductive and stable surface for imaging; for TEM, the material must be extremely thin, often less than 150 nm, to allow electrons to pass through.