All Research Facilities

Cryo transmission electron microscope facility

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Bacteriophage T4

This facility enables to explore the native state of low-contrast, beam-sensitive biological specimens, or other soft materials like polymers.

Make and Model

FEI TECNAI, 12 BioTwin

Available mode for use

  • Bright field

  • Dark field

  • Electron diffraction pattern

  • Cryo-imaging

Specifications/Features

  • TEM analysis of biological as well as soft solids can be done

  • High contrast imaging

  • With ultra-clean high vacuum for contamination free observation

  • The compustage for accurate specimen control.

  • Low temperature observation

  • Magnification: -22 to 3,40,000

Facility in-charge

Contact Email

ctem[at] iitb[dot] ac[dot] in

Location

Lab No 306 & 309,
Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility (S.A.I.F),
I.I.T. Bombay,
Powai, Mumbai - 400 076.

Phone Number    +91 22 2576 4688
                            +91 22 2576 4681

Facility Management Member(s)

(w.e.f. )

Prof. J Bellare
Prof. D Panda
Prof. I Samajdar
Prof. S S Major
(Late) Prof. Rinti Banerjee

Registration Link:

Submit New Request

Technical Specifications

Objective Lens — Bio Twin

  1. Line Resolution — 0.34 nm
  2. Focal Length — 6.1 mm
  3. Max. Focus step —9.0 nm
  4. Max. Eucentric tilt —±80°
  5. Magnification —22 To 3,40,000

Electron Source

  1. Tungsten (W) or LaB6 emitte
  2. Auto saturation
  3. High Voltage range 20 to 120 KV
  4. Resolution 1.0 nm

Vacuum

  1. Fully interlocked
  2. Differentially pumped column
  3. Ultra High Vacuum for contamination free observation of the specimen
  4. Specimen chamber and gun area with 10 -6 Pa.

Specimen Stage - Compustage

  1. Fully computer controlled, Eucentric side entry, high stability Compustage
  2. High tilt and large field of view
  3. Choice of variety of Specimen Holders (Cryo, Multiple, Rotation Holders etc.)
  4. X, Y movement 2 mm, specimen size 3 mm
  5. Specimen position store and recall including magnification and illumination settings.
  6. Specimen exchange without switching off High Tension and Emitter
  7. High tilt (±80°) and large field of view.

Imaging

  1. High contrast, long focal length objective lens (BioTwin)
  2. Automated contrast enhancement function.
  3. Focusing aid, adjustable wobbler for all magnification and directions.
  4. Rotation free magnification and diffraction series.
  5. Magnification aberration corrected lens series.
  6. Embedded CCD Camera - mega view III
  7. Low dose software.
  8. Image acquisition software with wide choice for image manipulation and analysis.

 

 

 

  • TEM analysis of biological as well as soft solids can be done on Cryo mode or normal mode. Due to low HT voltage, this instrument is not suitable for hard materials like metals, ceramics etc.
  • High contrast with the BioTwin lens configuration
  • With ultra-clean high vacuum for contamination free observation
  • The Compustage for accurate specimen control.
  • Especially fits the need for Cryo-observation. A key component to the success of low temperature observation is the installation of a specific cold-trap, which is effective for the preventing vapour deposition on Cryo holders and their specimens while in the column.

This FEI Technai 12 BioTwin 120kV Cryo - Transmission Electron Microscope was installed at the IIT Bombay in April 2003. This Cryo TEM facility is equipped with 120 KV HT with the Main unit, chiller, dehumidifiers, pair of 10 KVA UPS and cryo sample preparation equipment like Gatan Cryo Plunger, dry pumping station, and cryo specimen holder. This facility is supported by IRCC as a Central Facility of the Institute. This facility is open for all IIT Bombay internal users to meet their research necessities. Due to the sophisticated nature of the equipment and elaborate set up, this instrument does see periods of downtime

Central facility presentation
Presented Date Presentation File Presentation by (Prof.) Department
04-12-2017 View Presentation1.1 MB Prof. J Bellare Chemical Engineering
08-10-2015 View Presentation1.53 MB Prof. J Bellare Chemical Engineering
28-02-2019 View Presentation773.49 KB Prof. J Bellare Chemical Engineering
Instructions for sample preparation/submission

Cryo TEM

  • Magnetic samples can make serious mechanical damage to the Cryo TEM. So as per manufacturer's instruction magnetic samples are not allowed to run under Cryo TEM.
  • The user has to come for TEM analysis with prepared sample on TEM grid.
  • The user has to arrange TEM grids themselves OR if provided by Cryo TEM lab, user has to pay for it.
  • The samples should be prepared on TEM grids only of 3mm size and thickness less than 0.34 mm.
  • Any query related to your Cryo-TEM analysis can be emailed on the address ctem [at] iitb [dot] ac [dot] in
  • At present this facility is available only to the internal IITB users.

Leica Cryo Ultra-Microtome

  • The user has to arrange TEM grids OR Slide to take out the section. (If TEM grids provided by Cryo TEM lab, user has to pay for it. At present this lab has no grids.)
  • Only soft samples allowed for Microtomy like embedded samples in resin, soft polymer samples
  • Any query related to Microtomy can be emailed on the address : ctem [at] iitb [dot] ac [dot] in
  • At present this facility is available only to the internal IITB users.
Instructions for Registration
  • The requisition form is available from Cryo TEM lab, 309 - SAIF or online.
  • Users should submit duly filled Requisition form in Cryo TEM lab between 4 p.m. to 5 pm when in paper form.
  • The users will be informed about their date and time of slot by email. If user cannot come, a mail should be immediately sent to ctem [at] iitb [dot] ac [dot] in to cancel his/her slot.
  • Bring the new blank C.D. for copying the images. The USB drives are strictly not allowed due to virus threat.
  • Bring one prior TEM micrograph of similar sample while coming for analysis.