Specimen Prep

Our Specimen Preparation Lab is a space dedicated to the delicate processes necessary for the proper preparation of samples for electron microscopy and other imaging methods.

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Mushroom spore. Imaged in VINSE facilities using the Zeiss Merlin Scanning Electron Microscope and coated using the Cressington Sputter Coater. (Jake Grayson, Haglund group, Physics & Astronomy)
Section Contents

Equipment

 

User Fees

  • Coatings
    • Gold sputter deposit
      Vanderbilt personnel hourly rate: $10
      VUMC, Fisk, TSU and Meharry hourly rate: $10
      External universities & non-profit partners hourly rate: $11
      Industry and external for-profit partners hourly rate: $16
    • Parylene Coater
      Vanderbilt personnel hourly rate: $35
      VUMC, Fisk, TSU and Meharry hourly rate: $35
      External universities & non-profit partners hourly rate: $39
      Industry and external for-profit partners hourly rate: $65
  • Grinding and Polishing
    • Sand paper: $2
    • Polishing cloth: $10
    • Slurry: $10
    • Lapping film: $48
    • Diamond paste: $2
  • Professional Services

    VINSE offers staff support for users who wish to use the facilities remotely. VINSE professional staff are able to perform your measurements, imaging, and analysis in your absence for a service fee.

    Professional Staff Hourly Service Fees:

    • Internal: $50
    • External universities & non-profit partners hourly rate: $55
    • Industry and external for-profit partners hourly rate: $80
View All User Fees
Nikon Microscope
IC Chip, 100x polarized light. Imaged in VINSE facilities using the Nikon Eclipse LV100 microscope. (James McBride, VINSE)
Nikon Microscope
IC Chip, 10x. Imaged in VINSE facilities using the Nikon Eclipse LV100 microscope. (James McBride, VINSE)

Facility Details

The lab contains a gold sputter coater for SEM samples, a plasma cleaner for both SEM and TEM samples, and a grinding/polishing station with the associated consumables available. There is also an optical inspection microscope, an electrochemical etch station, and a wax printer available.  

Instrumentation & Tours

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We offer guided, self-guided, and virtual tours of our facilities.