Method and system for automating sample preparation for microfluidic cryo TEM

A system for preparing a cryogenic transmission electron microscopy sample grid, comprising:

• an automatic controller;
• a first capillary for depositing fluid samples onto a sample carrier grid having nanoscale sample openings;
• a second capillary for withdrawing a portion of said fluid samples;
• and
• an automated XYZ positioning controller in communication with said automatic controller, said XYZ positioning controller controlling the position of said first and second capillaries,
• wherein said automatic controller controls said first and second capillaries by,
• forming a fluid droplet at the end of said first capillary;
• bringing said droplet into contact with a top surface of a carrier grid thereby depositing said droplet onto said top surface;
• and
• bringing said second capillary onto contact with said droplet to withdraw a portion of the fluid from said droplet to form a microfluidic sample on said top surface.