Attachment 1 - Specifications.pdf

SPECIFICATIONS FOR MULTI-PURPOSE

TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPE (TEM)

The Naval Research Laboratory’s (NRL) Center for BioMolecular Science and Engineering (CBMSEO) has a critical need to acquire a multi-purpose transmission electron microscope (TEM) with an integrated high-stability goniometer stage tuned for high tilt tomographic applications along with a fully consolidated cryogenic electron microscope (cryo-EM) set-up.

Critical science and technology (S&T) research efforts that the expanded TEM will support include the high resolution characterization of:

A) Standard TEM:

1) Novel inorganic NPs, including mixed-component metamaterials

2) mesoporous materials for protection and decontamination

3) microfluidic devices for fabrication of new high-strength materials (application: force protection), B) Electron Tomography:

1) barnacle architectures during growth (application: anti-fouling technology) and

2) analysis of bacterial films for understanding energy harvesting (application: alternative energy).

C) Cryo-EM:

1) Enzyme-NP hybrids for enhanced catalysis.

2) Optimized antibodies/nanobodies for biothreat detection.

The TEM must be capable of operating at multiple electron accelerating voltages covering the range from, at minimum, 80 to 200 kV.

The system must be useful for single particle characterization: analyzing the quality, shape, size and density of organic and inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) with resolution below 2 angstrom and magnification of at minimum 1.5*106 fold.

The addition of a geniometer stage with tilt capabilities that cover ±75° is required for electron tomography (ET). This capability is required for 3D structures of sub-cellular macro-molecular objects, of particular use for biological applications.

The system must allow for the integration of cryo-EM capabilities, including cryoplunge, cryo-transfer holder, and turbo-pump that allows for vacuum below 10-5 Torr.

The access to High-resolution images provided by TEM has become a standard requirement for almost every nanotechnological report, allowing for characterization and quantification that is expected by reviewers and sponsors.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR MULTI-PURPOSE

TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPE (TEM)

ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Capable of operating at multiple electron accelerating voltages covering the range from, at minimum, 80 to 200 kV.

Capable of integrating a high-stability goniometer stage tuned for high tilt tomographic applications Tilt angles that cover ±75°

Magnifications up to a minimum of 1,500,000X Capable of resolutions below 2 angstrom.

Capable of integrating cryo-EM capabilities Ultra-low profile cryotransfer holder that enables up to ±80° single tilt control and low-temperature transfer frozen-hydrated specimens.

Semi-automated plunge freezing instrument for frozen-hydrated specimen preparation, must maintain stability of condensed ethane (~80 °K).

Completely self-contained bench top pumping station for TEM applications, vacuum below 10-5 Torr CCD CAMERA for signal detection. 4096 X 4096, 15μ pixels, high resolution field of view sensor with built-in shutter.

Camera software suite 64bit.

PC to support camera software and TEM GUI (64 bit).

GUI based on MS Windows software. All operations, including the status display of the main instrument, must be performed using the GUI on the monitor.

Digitally controlled electron optical system and console that operates all functions Installation and operator training of all components provided by vendor