SciTEM - sample preparation for electron microscopy

The sciTEM is an ultra-low volume liquid handling system specifically configured for dispensing multiple liquid samples onto TEM grids. Its high precision drive system allows for the placement of distinct samples as close as 100 um to each other. The non-contact piezo dispensing technology enables liquid volumes of about 100 pL to be deposited onto fragile surfaces without damage to the sensitive grids. Sophisticated image analysis technology is used to identify TEM grid placement in the holder, and to detect deposition location in either structured or non-structured grids.

This system is particularly well suited to enable high-throughput characterization of nanoparticles. Indeed, traditional analytical methods place a single sample per grid, resulting in a distinct grid loading / unloading cycle for each analysis. With sciTEM, one can place several distinct samples onto a single grid. This results in a number of analysis possible for each instrument grid loading / unloading cycle. Such an increase in analysis throughput capabilities will certainly enable experimentation that was previously impossible, or too costly to implement.

For over 10 years, SCIENION's picoliter liquid dispensing technology has been used to deposit arrays of different sample solutions onto a very wide variety of target substrates. This application consisting of using TEM grids as a target substrate is a natural extension of our proven high-precision deposition technology.