Cryo-Scanning Electron Microscopy
Cyro-SEM can be used to analyse frozen samples, such as liquids and food products.
Cryo-SEM
- This enables the analysis of liquids, biological material and "wet" food products to be analysed in the SEM.
- This is done by first plunging the sample into nitrogen slush and the transferring the sample into the cryo-chamber.
- Subequently the sample is allowed to warm, thus allowing the ice to shrink and reveal the sample surface. Fracturing can also be performed at this point if needed.
- The sample will then be sputter coated in platinum to become conductive and transferred into the SEM chamber, where it remains frozen on another cold-stage.
- The minimum operating temperature for this technique is -140°.
Exploring a Hydrated World
Analysing samples using Cryo-SEM allows you to see hydrated structures that may otherwise not be seen if the sample is dried. The team at PEMC have put this into practice previously by analysing hydrated banana skin using Cryo-SEM and comparing the structures seen to those observed in dried banana skin. You can see how we did this and what we found here.
Not only is Cryo-SEM for research purposes, but our Cryo-SEM system has been used to answer a range of scientific questions across Devon and is commercially available to companies nationally. If this is something you are interested, please contact Glenn harper or email us at emc@plymouth.ac.uk.
