Equipment
Ultramicrotome
Model:
RMC MT6000 Ultramicrotome
Capabilities:
This tool is designed to mechanically cut thin sections from bulk pieces of material for direct TEM observation.
Cost:
Calendar for Reservations:
Specifications:
- cuts sections from ~80nm to 2um in thickness.
- mechanically driven cutting stroke for hard to cut materials.
- accepts both glass (provided) and diamond knives (user supplied).
- LKB knife maker adjacent to tool.
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
A microtome (from the Greek mikros, meaning "small", and temnein, meaning "to cut") is a tool used to cut extremely thin slices of material, known as sections. Important in science, microtomes are used in microscopy, allowing for the preparation of samples for observation under transmitted light or electron radiation. Microtomes use steel, glass, or diamond blades depending upon the specimen being sliced and the desired thickness of the sections being cut. Steel blades are used to prepare sections of animal or plant tissues for light microscopy histology. Glass knives are used to slice sections for light microscopy and to slice very thin sections for electron microscopy. Industrial grade diamond knives are used to slice hard materials such as bone, teeth and plant matter for both light microscopy and for electron microscopy. Gem quality diamond knives are used for slicing thin sections for electron microscopy.