Smart sample container for complex sample evaluation workflows

A smart sample container configured to transport a plurality of sample grids and configured to manage an electron microscopy evaluation workflow across multiple devices including an electron microscope, the smart sample container comprising:

• a region of the smart sample container for holding the plurality of sample grids, each sample grid containing one or more samples;
• an outer support structure that defines the region of the smart sample container for holding the sample grids;
• a communication interface;
• one or more processors;
• and
• a memory storing a workflow management module, an interaction module, and computer readable instructions that, when executed on the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
• obtain or determine an electron microscopy evaluation workflow for a sample on a sample grid of the plurality of sample grids using the workflow management module;
• receive an interaction from a first external device with the interaction module, the interaction including results of a step or action performed by the first external device;
• altering, using the workflow management module, a future step or action in the electron microscopy evaluation workflow based upon the results;
• and
• based on the electron microscopy evaluation workflow,
• provide a location of the sample grid on the smart sample container to a second external device, and
• transmit an executable script from the workflow management module to the second external device to cause the second external device to perform an action to advance the electron microscopy evaluation workflow, wherein the action includes automatically executing a step of the electron microscopy evaluation workflow.