Liquid Flow
| 1400 Series SEM | |
| Number of Inlets | 1 or 2 depending on model, single outlet |
| Biasing Contacts | 4 |
| Tubing Type | User-replaceable microfluidic tubing |
| Delivery System | Variable-speed liquid delivery system |
| Tip Type | Removable tip |
| Flow Type | Continuous or static liquid flow |
| SEM Compatibility | Custom integration* |
Overview
Hummingbird Scientific’s SEM liquid-cell system allows real-time imaging of solid-liquid interfaces in scanning electron microscopes. The system mount uses the same removable tip design as our liquid TEM holder, allowing for cross-correlative experiments across both electron microscope platforms. The two-chip liquid cell allows users to quickly and easily prepare and exchange samples while remaining confident in the cell’s seal.
Applications
- Imaging biological specimens in liquid environments
- Liquid-electrochemistry experiments
- In-situ hydration experiments
- Electrocatalysis
- Electrolysis
Left: Hummingbird Scientific’s SEM liquid holder for JEOL microscopes (left) and FEI microscopes (right, mounted on assembly stand).
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How it Works
Hummingbird Scientific’s SEM liquid system encloses the sample within a microfabricated liquid cell in the holder tip, which is sealed from the microscope chamber environment by a patented sealing mechanism. The liquid pump and heating controller or potentiostat are located outside of the chamber. A customizable SEM chamber interface and vacuum sealed supply system provide liquid and power to the tip. Using Hummingbird’s two-chip liquid cell, users can prepare their sample of choice using the same methods they would for any other electron transparent membrane substrate. The tip can be swapped between light microscopes, the X-ray microscope, the SEM, and the TEM for cross-correlative studies.
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Cross-Correlative
Our liquid system’s unique removable holder tip allows for correlative imaging of transmission electron, scanning electron, X-ray, and optical microscopy of samples in liquid environments. Dedicated holders are available for each technique. All holders can interface with the same liquid-cell tip for site-specific imaging.
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Options
Our SEM liquid holder is compatible with most TEM liquid-cell options. Common options include:
- Continuous Flow
- Dual Flow/Mixing
- Static Cell
- Electrochemistry
- Heating
- Spectroscopy
- Cross-Correlative
- Vapor System
Don’t see what you’re looking for? We would also be happy to develop a custom solution for you.
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Accessories
Accessories available for your SEM liquid holder include:
- Specialized sample chips
- An SEM-specific version of our seal-checking station
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Related Products
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Gas Flow Holder See MoreUsing the gas flow holder, researchers can characterize material behavior in gas environments at elevated temperatures and observe gas-solid interactions at high resolution. The holder is available with either a single or multi-channel gas delivery system. |
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X-Ray/Synchrotron Liquid Holder See MoreHummingbird’s synchrotron holder is a complete in-situ x-ray lab system, enabling high-resolution material characterization in liquids. The system offers single-inlet, heating, electrochemical, spectroscopy, and cross-correlative features. |
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Liquid Holder See MoreThe liquid holder is a complete in-situ TEM lab system, designed to support high-resolution material characterization in liquids. The system offers single-inlet, dual-inlet, heating, electrochemical, spectroscopy, and cross-correlative features. |
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Cross-Correlative Studies
Researchers studying the interaction of biological structures with the environment have long been hindered by the lack of a single microscopy technique capable of spanning all relevant length scales. In response to this problem, we have developed systems that allow multiple correlative imaging techniques. The SEM liquid holder enables researchers to perform cross-correlative experiments and to image specimens in liquid environment. Using this system, researchers at Evergreen State College, Ames Laboratory, and the University of Georgia have successfully taken correlative images of biological specimens using LM, SEM, and TEM.
Figure: Correlating fluorescence (top) and SEM images of autofluorescent Anthrospira in phosphate-buffered saline (bottom), both taken using Hummingbird’s correlative liquid cell system.
Reference: D.A. Fischer, D.H. Alsem, B. Simon, T. Prozorov and N. Salmon. “Development of an Integrated Platform for Cross-Correlative Imaging of Biological Specimens in Liquid using Light and Electron Microscopies.” Microscopy and Microanalysis 19:Suppl. 2 (2013) pp. 476–477. Abstract
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| Alejandra Londono-Calderon, Srikanth Nayaka, Curtis L. Mosher, Surya K. Mallapragadaa, Tanya Prozorov. “New approach to electron microscopy imaging of gel nanocomposites in situ.” Micron (2019) | Abstract |
| Alejandra Londono-Calderon, Wan Sun, Zengyi Shao, Daan Hein Alsem, and Tanya Prozorov. “Correlative Microbially-Assisted Imaging of Cellulose Deconstruction with Electron Microscopy.” Microscopy & Microanalysis (2018) | Abstract |
| D.A. Fischer, D.H. Alsem, B. Simon, T. Prozorov, and N. Salmon. “Development of an Integrated Platform for Cross-Correlative Imaging of Biological Specimens in Liquid using Light and Electron Microscopies.” Microscopy & Microanalysis (2013) | Abstract |
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