Methods and apparatus for preparing aqueous specimens for electron microscopy using volatile surfactants
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsRobert M. Glaeser, Bong-Gyoon Han
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Abstract
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to the preparation of electron microscopy specimens. In one aspect, a method includes providing an electron microscopy grid. An aqueous suspension including an electron microscopy sample is deposited on the electron microscopy grid. A portion of the aqueous suspension is removed from the electron microscopy grid. A volatile surfactant is contacted to the aqueous suspension. A thickness of aqueous suspension is allowed to decrease over a period of time. The aqueous suspension is then frozen.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- (a) providing an electron microscopy grid;
- (b) depositing an aqueous suspension including an electron microscopy sample on the electron microscopy grid;
- (c) removing a portion of the aqueous suspension from the electron microscopy grid;
- (d) after operation (c), contacting a volatile surfactant to the aqueous suspension remaining on the electron microscopy grid;
- (e) after operation (d), allowing a thickness of the aqueous suspension to decrease over a period of time;
- and
- (f) freezing the aqueous suspension to generate a film of the aqueous suspension having a uniform thickness disposed on the electron microscopy grid.
An apparatus for preparing an electron microscopy grid, comprising:
- a chamber, the chamber defining a plurality of ports;
- a rod disposed in the chamber;
- and
- a sample holder attached to the rod;
- the apparatus operable to perform a method comprising:
- (a) receiving an electron microscopy grid in the sample holder;
- (b) receiving a deposition of an aqueous suspension including an electron microscopy sample on the electron microscopy grid;
- (c) receiving an absorbent material to remove removing a portion of the aqueous suspension from the electron microscopy grid;
- (d) after operation (c), receiving a volatile surfactant to contact contacting a volatile surfactant to the aqueous suspension remaining on the electron microscopy grid;
- (e) after operation (d), allowing a thickness of the aqueous suspension to decrease over a period of time;
- and
- (f) freezing the aqueous suspension to generate a film of the aqueous suspension having a uniform thickness disposed on the electron microscopy grid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.