Electron microscopy demands high-quality sample preparation. The microscopy suite includes two sample preparation laboratories that contain the latest Ion polishing system, metal/carbon coating and plasma cleaning tools. Specialist TEM sample preparation equipment includes a Gatan ultrasonic disc cutter, Gatan dimple grinding stations, Gatan precision ion polishing system (PIPS) ion milling PECS-II units and a Gatan SOLARIS plasma cleaner.

There are specialist tools for TEM wafer cross-section samples developed within the facility.

We have the FEI Helios, FIB/SEM focussed ion beam for site-specific, macro-porous or fragile samples.

For light and electron microscopy biological sample preparation and preparation of polymers, we have a 1 PT-XL ultramicrotome - contact Professor Alexandra Porter for enquiries about using this ultramicrotome. A full list of equipment is available upon request.