Sample Preparation Equipment
Some of the ISN's advanced instrumentation requires that samples be specially prepared for testing in analysis equipment or imaging in microscopy equipment.
See the list below for details on each available piece of sample preparation equipment.
Please stay tuned for further updates to this page, including additional pieces of equipment on which the ISN offers training.
SEM preparation tools (e.g., the Au-Pd Sputter Coater) are trained and reserved individually. Refer to specific instruments below for more information.
To gain access to these instruments, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
3D Systems ProJet 6000 Stereolithography 3-D Printer
The ProJet 6000 SLA 3D printer uses stereolithography to generate prototypes and finished parts from 3-D data.
The ISN's ProJet 6000 features a 10 x 10 x 10 inch (250 x 250 x 250 mm) maximum build volume, and prints with an accuracy of 0.001–0.002 inch (0.025–0.05 mm) per inch of part.
To gain access to this instrument, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
Denton Desk V Au-Pd Sputter Coater
Sputter coaters are designed to deposit an extremely thin layer of highly conductive metal upon a nonconductive sample prior to inspection in a scanning electron microscope. The goal is to reduce charging and increase contrast in the resulting SEM image.
The Desk V features an adjustable rotating and tilting stage to ensure a uniform coating on samples, including those with irregular surfaces.
To gain access to this instrument, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
Denton Vacuum Desk II Deposition Sputter Coater
The Denton Vacuum Desk II is used to deposit coatings onto samples for inspection in other instrumetns (e.g., SEM). The ISN's Desk II is equipped with a carbon evaporation accessory and it is used exclusively in this capacity as a carbon evaporation coater.
To gain access to this instrument, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
JEOL SM-09010 Cross-Section Polisher
The cross-section polisher makes a cross-section perpendicular to the surface of a specimen suitable for the measurement of multi-layered structures.
The instrument can prepare a cross-sections from soft materials, including copper, aluminum, gold, solder, and polymers; hard materials such as ceramic and glass; and composites of these materials. Equipped with an argon ion beam, the ISN's SM-09010 is generally used to prepare cross-sections of materials such as fibers or multi-layer films. The primary benefit of this instrument for ISN users is its ability to cut through dissimilar materials cleanly to provide a high quality flat surface for SEM imaging.
Cross-sections prepared are suitable for EDS, WDS, Auger, and EBSD (Electron Back Scatter Diffraction) analysis, and for observation and measurement of multi-layered structures.
The instrument preserves structures that a conventional mechanical polish would destroy, such as voids in a bonded interface between gold wire and bonding pad. Adhesion between plated layers, or between solder and metal, can be observed and analyzed accurately. Cross-sections are also suitable for analysis of precipitates.
Damage to a specimen during polishing is much less compared to FIB preparation due to the use of an argon ion beam. The SM-09010 can make a large cross-section surface up to 1mm in width.
To gain access to this instrument, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
Leica EM UC6 Ultramicrotome
Used for ultra-thin sectioning and creating flat surfaces, the ISN's Leica microtome is used to prepare samples for examination with the AFM, SEM, or TEM. The microtome can either be operated at room temperature or in cryo mode.
To gain access to this instrument, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
Carver Model 4120 Bench Top Laboratory Manual Press with Electrically Heated Platens
The Hot Press allows the researchers to make a variety of samples, including ones that are optimized for mechanical testing. Two hot plates (platens) are squeezed together and the material is formed in a mold that is referred to as a "dog bone" structure, which is then used for tensile testing on the Zwick Mechanical Tester. The Carver 4120 hot press features a manual 12-ton, two-column hydraulic press with electrically heated 10" x 7" platens capable of temperatures up to 650°F, digitally controlled in each platen. The dual-scale gauge is calibrated in pounds and metric tons.
To gain access to this instrument, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
MTI Corporation YLJ-HP300 500°C Max 30 T Precision Laminating Hot Press with Dual Temperature Controller (Includes MTI Corporation EQ-KJ5300 Recirculating Water Chiller)
YLJ-HP300 is a 500°C (maximum) lamination hot press, which consists of a 30T hydraulic press with two heated platens. The temperatures of the heated platens are controlled by two digital temperature controllers separately up to 500°C. The platens ( 300 x 300 mm area) are made of harden Cr12MoV alloy with a flat surface. Water cooling jackets are installed with the heating platen that allows heated plate to get faster cooling. One pressure gauge (300 kN) is also mounted to monitor the pressure applied on the plate. It is an excellent tool to prepare polymer and ceramic samples.
The included EQ-KJ5300 recirculating chiller provides a clean, reliable source of temperature-controlled fluid for both open tanks and closed loop systems up to 16L/min. It has a temperature stability of ± 0.3°C and the temperature range can be adjusted from 5–35°C.
To gain access to this instrument, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
Epilog Laser Fusion Edge 24 Laser Cutter System
The ISN's Epilog Laser Fusion Edge 24 is used primarily for the creation of the custom molds and forms needed for the analysis of material samples.
The Epilog Laser Fusion Edge 24 laser machine features a 24" x 24" work area with a maximum material thickness of 10".
It has an air-cooled metal/ceramic CO2 Waveguide tube measuring 10.6 µm, operating at 50 or 60 watts. It has a has a user-controlled resolution of 75–1200 dpi.
The Fusion Edge 24 includes dual overhead cameras.
To gain access to this instrument, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
Labconco FreeZone Benchtop Freeze Dryer Model 7934000
Note: Users must supply their own flasks.
Used for the preservation of samples, freeze drying is the process of removing water from frozen materials by converting the frozen water directly into its vapor without the intermediate formation of liquid water.
The basis for this sublimation process involves the absorption of heat by the frozen sample in order to vaporize the ice; the use of a vacuum pump to enhance the removal of water vapor from the surface of the sample; the transfer of water vapor to a collector; and the removal of heat by the collector in order to condense the water vapor. In essence, the freeze dry process is a balance between the heat absorbed by the sample to vaporize the ice and the heat removed from the collector to convert the water vapor into ice.
The Labconco FreeZone Plus 6 Liter Cascade Console Freeze Dry System is designed for light to moderate loads of low eutectic point samples. It removes a maximum of 4.1 liters of water in 24 hours with a collector temperature of -84° C (-119° F) and has an ice holding capacity of 6 L.
To gain access to this instrument, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
Thinky ARE-310 Planetary Centrifugal Bubble-Free Mixer
The Thinky ARE-310 mixer has a centrifugal force of over 400G, enabling the simultaneous mixing, dispersion, and deaeration of various materials from low to high viscosities for general purposes.
Furnished with a deaeration mode that enables high-precision deaeration, the ARE-310 model shows excellent performance in deaeration of high-viscosity adhesives and materials whose viscosities are increased by added fillers
A wide variety of materials and uses are supported by using adapters for various containers. It is employed for production or research and development where small amounts of materials are prepared.
The ARE-310 has a maximum capacity of 310 g and uses a standard 300 ml resin container.
To gain access to this instrument, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
FlackTek SpeedMixer DAC 330-100 Pro
The FlackTek SpeedMixer DAC 330-100 Pro is a bladeless mixer that allows users to mix materials inside of a closed container. It provides mixing without bubbles of powders, creams, semi-solids, and other thick or thin materials.
The SpeedMixer uses a Dual Asymmetric Centrifuge (DAC) to rotate an angled cup clockwise, around a main central axis, while counter-rotating the cup upon its own axis. This DAC motion forces materials to flow against itself inside the cup while also removing bubbles.
The DAC 330-100 Pro has a maximum container volume of 330 mL with a maximum material amount per container of 100 g. It features a rotation speed of up to 3500 rpm.
To gain access to this instrument, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
Harrick Plasma PDC-32G Basic Plasma Cleaner
The PDC-32G Basic Plasma Cleaner is a compact tabletop plasma instrument with a hinged door, viewing window, and fine control metering valve to qualitatively control gas flow and chamber pressure. The instrument is suitable for nanoscale surface cleaning and activation of small samples.
It has adjustable RF power settings (Low, Medium, High) and a maximum RF power of 18W.
To gain access to this instrument, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
Randcastle RCP-0500 Microtruder
The Randcastle RCP-0500 Microtruder is a single-screw, lab-scale extruder.
The RCP-0500 features a 0.5" screw size, a 1.0 hp motor, and has an output of 80–983 grams/hr. It has a screw volume of ~15 cm3, and a hopper volume of 1925 cm3.
It includes a 24:1 working L/D ratio 4140 hardened screw, removable water cooled feed sections made from hardened stainless steel, a 1750 RPM DC motor, 15:1 gear reducer with integral thrust bearings and keyed drive quill, nitrided stainless steel barrel with mica band heaters, stainless steel barrel cover, rupture disc, and a stainless steel breaker plate.
To gain access to this instrument, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
Buehler IsoMet 1000 Precision Cutter
Designed for consistency and versatility, the Buehler IsoMet 1000 Precision Saw is a fully enclosed, precision sectioning saw designed for cutting various types of material with minimal deformation. It accommodates a wide variety of sample shapes and works well on delicate objects by using only gravity fed force. It can section many materials, including brittle or ductile metals, composites, cements, laminates, plastics, electronic devices, and biomaterials.
The IsoMet 1000 is equipped with an automatic cut-off switch, counterbalanced sliding load weight system (0–500 gm, or 0–800 gm with accessory weight kit), a built-in digital micrometer (imperial or metric measures) cross-feed for sample location, a removable coolant tray with built-in dressing device, a 1/8 hp (90W) DC motor with wheel speed variable from 100–975 rpm.
To gain access to this instrument, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
Microm DS-50 Slide Stainer (x4)
Microm DS-50 Slide Stainers provide a computer-controlled system for the automated cyclical dipping of substrates. They are typically used for layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition applications. The LbL technique is used to build multi-layer films, such as those used in drug delivery mechanisms (time-controlled delivery) and for sensing elements (biochemical sensing structures) that change their properties when they come into contact with the analyte material of interest. A robotic arm dips the substrate into a positive polymer solution that adheres to the substrate, which is then dipped into a clean water or solvent bath, then into to a negative polymer solution which will adhere to the previously deposited positive layer. This is repeated over a fixed amount of time to produces multiple layers.
The ISN currently has 4 Microm DS-50 Slide Stainers.
To gain access to this instrument, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
Cookson Electronic Equipment SCS G3P-8 (x2)
Spin coaters are used in production of thin films.
A typical process involves depositing a small amount of fluid resin onto the center of a substrate and then spinning the substrate at a high speed, usually around 3000rpm. Centripetal acceleration causes the resin to spread to and beyond the edge of the substrate, leaving a thin film of resin on the surface.
To gain access to this instrument, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
Laurell WS-650-23 B
Spin coaters are used in production of thin films.
A typical process involves depositing a small amount of fluid resin onto the center of a substrate and then spinning the substrate at a high speed, usually around 3000rpm. Centripetal acceleration causes the resin to spread to and beyond the edge of the substrate, leaving a thin film of resin on the surface.
To gain access to this instrument, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
Leica EM TXP Target Surfacing System
The Leica EM TXP is a target preparation device for milling, sawing, grinding, and polishing samples prior to examination by SEM, TEM, and LM techniques.
An integrated stereomicroscope allows pinpointing and easy preparation of barely visible targets as well as for surface and finish evaluation.
With the specimen pivot arm the sample can be observed directly at an angle between 0° and 60°, or 90° to the front face for distance determination with an eyepiece graticule.
Integrated process control with automatic E-W guiding mechanism, force-regulated feed control and countdown function saves the user from time-consuming routine sample preparation.
To gain access to this instrument, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
Branson Model 450 Sonifier
The Branson 450 Digital Sonifier includes converter, disruptor, and probe. The 450 takes advantage of digital technology, useful where precise process control and parameter measurement is required. This sonifier features 20 pre-sets for easy processing of up to 700mL with automatic tuning and frequency storage. The Branson 450 utilizes multiple modes of operation, including continuous, pulsed, timed, and temperature end-point.
Useful for cell disruption, nano particles, chip assay, emulsification, homogenization, cell lysing, processing DNA and proteins, acceleration of reactions, leaching and extraction, and fine mixing degassing.
To gain access to this instrument, click here to learn more the ISN access application process.
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