Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
09:03
Rapid Freezing using Sandwich Freezing Device for Good Ultrastructural Preservation of Biological Specimens in Electron Microscopy
Published on: July 19, 2021
A carbon sandwich environmental cell for wet specimens
Yuhri Inayoshi1, Hiroki Minoda
1Department of Applied Physics, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan.
Microscopy (Oxford, England)
|April 27, 2013
Summary
A new carbon sandwich environmental cell was developed for environmental transmission electron microscopy (E-TEM) to image wet specimens. This method improves image quality and allows for controlled water layer thickness, achieving 2 nm resolution with DNA samples.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Microscopy
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Environmental transmission electron microscopy (E-TEM) requires specialized cells for imaging hydrated or wet specimens.
- Previous E-TEM techniques with gas circulation had limitations in maintaining sample hydration and image quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an improved environmental cell for E-TEM capable of imaging wet specimens with enhanced resolution.
- To enable precise control over the hydration layer thickness within the environmental cell.
Main Methods:
- Development of a carbon sandwich environmental cell using a perforated plastic film to create carbon capsules.
- The cell design incorporates a spacer and two carbon films to enclose samples and experimental solutions.
- Water layer thickness is controlled by adjusting the preparation of plastic spacers.
Main Results:
- The developed carbon sandwich environmental cell significantly improved image quality compared to previous E-TEM systems.
- A resolution of 2 nanometers was achieved when imaging loosely condensed DNA samples.
- The cell design allows for controlled manipulation of the water layer thickness.
Conclusions:
- The carbon sandwich environmental cell is a viable and effective tool for high-resolution E-TEM of wet specimens.
- This technology advances the study of biological and other hydrated materials under electron microscopy.
- The ability to control hydration layers opens new possibilities for in-situ experiments.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy
To be visualized by an electron microscope, either transmission or scanning, biological samples need to be fixed (stabilized) so the electron beam does not destroy them and dried thoroughly (desiccated/dehydrated) so the vacuum does not affect them. Fixation needs to be done as quickly as possible because the sample properties will start changing as soon as it is removed from its natural environment. For example, in a tissue sample, the oxygen levels begin decreasing, causing an altered...
01:03Fixation and Sectioning
Two basic types of preparation are used to visualize specimens with a light microscope: wet mounts and fixed specimens.
The simplest type of preparation is the wet mount, in which the specimen is placed in a drop of liquid on the slide. A liquid specimen can be directly deposited on the slide using a dropper. Solid specimens, such as skin scraping, can be placed on the slide before adding a drop of liquid to prepare the wet mount. Sometimes the liquid is simply water, but stains are often added...
The simplest type of preparation is the wet mount, in which the specimen is placed in a drop of liquid on the slide. A liquid specimen can be directly deposited on the slide using a dropper. Solid specimens, such as skin scraping, can be placed on the slide before adding a drop of liquid to prepare the wet mount. Sometimes the liquid is simply water, but stains are often added...