Expertise
Imaging Platforms
Keywords - Light Microscopy: Atomic Force Microscopy | Contact angle | Micro-infra red spectroscopy
Keywords - Electron Microscopy: Transmission EM | Scanning Transmission EM | Electron tomography | Scanning EM (Tungsten) | Scanning EM (FEG) | Focused Ion Beam SEM | Integrated Light and TEM | Integrated Light and SEM | Cathodo-luminescence | EELS | GIF | EDX | EDS | EBSD | electron diffraction | SAED | CBED
Jeol 2100F FEG 200kV HR-TEM (0.2nm resolution), with STEM; 120kV, 100kV and 80kV; selected area and convergent beam diffraction; and tomography. Attached are: a Gatan Vulcan Cathode-luminescence detector; Gatan GIF Quantum GIF/EELS energy filter; Gatan Orius Camera; with Gatan Microscopy Suite V.3; and a Thermo-Scientific Ultra-Dry SDD EDX system with NSS software.
Zeiss Supra 35VP FEG SEM, with variable kV (0.2-30kV); variable pressure; cathodo-luminescence imaging; secondary and back-scatter electron and high-resolution (~20nm) imaging. Attached are: an EDAX Octane Super SDD EDX and Pegasus EBSD systems with TEAM and OIM software packages.
Jeol IT200 tungsten SEM, with variable kV (0.5-30kV); secondary and back-scattered electron imaging; low vacuum mode. Attached in an Oxford XPlore EDX with AZtec software.
Zeiss Leo 1455VP tungsten SEM, with variable kV (1-30kV); secondary and back-scattered electron imaging. Attached in an Oxford X-Act EDX with AZtec software.
Veeco Dimension 3100AFM (4.8um-~10nm Z-height resolution)
Zeiss Crossbeam 340 FIB-SEM with 3-dimensional imaging EDX and EBSD capabilities and TEM lift-out preparation.
Applications
Keywords - Biological: Cell Biology | Plant Biology | Bio-materials
Keywords - Physical Sciences: Bioengineering & biomaterials | Metallurgy/Alloy Development | Electron Optics | Corrosion/Oxidation | Semiconductors and optoelectronics | Nanomaterials | Composites | Geology/Mineralogy | Catalysts | Polymers and organic electronics | Asbestos analysis | Spectroscopy | X-ray diffraction | Failure analysis
ETC is a multidisciplinary research institute specialising in high level characterisation and analysis of a wide spectrum of materials. By fostering an interdisciplinary philosophy, it serves as a hub to the broader university community, encompassing bioengineering and biosciences, the environment, and an extensive range of engineering. Furthermore, ETC provides an accredited evaluation service to both local and international industries and a wealth of collaborative research opportunities for external research and development enterprises.
Sample Preparation
Keywords - Biological: Resin embedding | Ultrathin sectioning | Serial sectioning | Tokuyasu embedding | Immunolabelling | Critical Point Drying | Metal coating | Negative stain | Biological fixation | Biological cryo-embedding | Biological staining for electron microscopy
Keywords - Materials: Argon ion thinning | Electropolishing | Focussed ion beam (Gallium) | Focussed ion beam (Other) | Carbon coating | Metal sputter coating | Metal evaporation coating | Electro-polishing | Mechanical grinding | Polishing
TEM prep:
Gatan Plasma Ion Poilishing System, with cryo-preparation capabilities
Gatan ultra-sonic disc cutter and dimple grinder
Gatan Plasma Cleaner (O2 and H2)
RMC PT-PC ultramicrotome with cryo-sectioning capabilities
SEM prep
Quorum Sputter Coater
Agar Carbon Coater with metal evaporation capabilities including film thickness monitor and nitrogen plasma glow discharge capabilities
Mechanical polishing wheels
Agar Critical Point Drier
Tenu-pol Electropolishing system with cryo capabilities
Other
Resin embedding expertise for TEM or SEM preparation
Fixation and staining expertise of biological tissues for TEM and SEM
Laarman super fine mill
Data Analysis
Keywords - Software: ImageJ | Digital Micrograph/ GMS | SmartSEM | TEAM | Spirit | NSS
TEM
Gatan GMS 3
Thermi-scientific NSS EDX analysis
Supra-SEM
Smart-SEM
EDAX TEAM
EDAX OIM
Jeol IT200 SEM
Smart-SEM
Oxford AZtec
Shared Access
The ETC welcomes external commercial and university collaborations and access can be arranged upon request. Please use the contact details to the right to get in touch.
Funding
The equipment within the ETC has been funded from various sources, including Brunel University, Research Council Grants and Commercial Partnerships.