Wettability-Gradient Sample Support for TEM Ultrafoil Handling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Sample supports for TEM and SEM preparations face challenges in scooping and positioning ultrafoil sections due to contamination and low wettability, leading to difficulties in handling and placing samples accurately.

Innovation Solution

A sample support with distinct regions of varying wettability, where a higher wettability region guides the sample to a lower wettability region for secure placement, is fabricated using a baseplate, sample support film, and a metal film, ensuring easy handling and positioning of ultrafoil sections during microscopy preparations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a sample grid is used to scoop ultrafoil sections from water, then the sample can be transferred to the grid, but the grid repels water due to low wettability and contamination, causing water drops to fall off and making it difficult to scoop the sections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of scooping ultrafoil sectionsVSAvoidwettability of grid surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sample support is designed with two distinct regions having different wettability characteristics: a first region with lower wettability for sample placement and a second region with higher wettability for water retention. This local differentiation allows the support to simultaneously provide sample positioning functionality and water retention functionality, resolving the contradiction between ease of scooping and reliability of water adhesion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If the sample support has uniform wettability, then the structure is simple, but it is difficult to place the ultrafoil sections into position on the sample grid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of sample support structureVSAvoidpositioning accuracy of ultrafoil sections

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sample support incorporates a first region with lower wettability specifically designed for sample placement and a second region with higher wettability for water retention. This local differentiation creates a functional gradient that guides ultrafoil sections to the correct position while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that is easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables efficient scooping and placement of ultrafoil sections by ensuring the higher wettability region loses water first, guiding the sample to the lower wettability region, thus maintaining sample integrity and facilitating accurate microscopy observations.

Implementation Method 1

the second region of higher wettability loses its water earlier than the first region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

a second region of higher wettability than the first region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWettability: Wetting

Data Source

PatentUS11658000B2Sample support and method of fabricating same

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 JEOL LTD

AI summary

There is provided a sample support capable of easily placing a sample into position. The sample support is used such that a sample floating on the surface of water is scooped and held. The sample support has: a first region on which the sample is to be placed; and a second region of higher wettability than the first region.