K-kit wet cell liquid TEM sample holder chamber
innovative, low cost liquid sample chamber




K-kit wet cell - liquid TEM sample holder
Introduction

The K-kit is an easy to use innovative sample holder for liquid specimens. It is a single-use sample holder with a sealable micro-channel between two silicon nitride membranes. The K-kit is made from silicon with Si3N4 membranes, using the latest MEMS technologies. Included with the K-kit is a copper aperture grid to mount the sealed wet cell. Alternatively, the K-kit wet cell can be mounted in the optional and reusable K-kit Folding Grids .The k-kit is compatible with most standard TEM holders.

K-kit model

The Si3N4 membrane are electron transparent. There is a choice of 30 or 100nm membrane thickness. The 100 nm membranes are more robust and for TEM applications only. The 30nm membrane are intended for high resolution imaging and SEM applications

The microchannel, with two rectangular silicon nitride windows, enables imaging and analysis of nano-particles suspended in aqueous solutions. The size of the silicon nitride window is 300µm x 25µm with channel heights of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2 and 5µm. The inside of the microchannel is coated with Si3N4. Applications are wide ranging from, material, life, chemical and biological sciences. Nanoparticles can be imaged in their native state or in-situ dynamic physical and/or chemical reactions can be observed.

The K-kit can also be used in dry mode. The suspended particles are dried in the K-kit microchannel to avoid agglomeration which tends to occur when droplets of suspensions are dried on a support film.

Compatible with FESEM – STEM detectors. The K-kits with the 30nm Si3N4 membranes are compatible with FESEM s equipped with a STEM detector when 25 – 30kV is used for imaging. The best results are achieved in dry mode.


Features and benefits of the K-kit wet cell:

  • easy to use liquid TEM sample holder for aqueous suspensions
  •  low cost alternative to  very expensive in-situ liquid TEM holders
    K-Kit Folding Grid
    Folding grid for holding k-kit wet cell;
    3mm diameter fits is most TEM grid holders.
  • choice of Si3N4 membrane thickness: 30nm and 100nm
  • choice of two microchannels: 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 1, 2 and 5 µm (most popular are the 0.2 and 2um microchannels)
  • 30 nm membrane compatible with STEM detectors in FESEM systems @ 25-30 kV
  • optional reusable and glueless folding grid to hold the k-kit wet cell
  • suitable for EDS analysis
  • complete set of  dedicated preparation tools available
  • dry mode for quantitative analysis of nano-particles

Easy process with a set of dedicated tools

K-kit process

Unpack K-kit Mount in holder Touch carrier on drop Seal ends with glue Mount on a TEM hole grid

    Process in practice

    


The K-kit is easy to use with a set of dedicated tools. They are designed to facilitate the complete sample preparation process. Each K-kit is packaged with a copper TEM aperture grid.
When mounted on the K-kit holder,  touch the K-kit sample holder onto a droplet to draw in the liquid. The liquid sample enters the microchannel by capillary action. Turn the K-kit sample holder in a vertical position to seal the microchannel with a vacuum proof sealant (Torr Seal). After that, the K-kit sample holder is mounted in a standard 3mm copper aperture grid using vacuum compatible epoxy. After a short pump down in a vacuum chamber, the K-kit liquid sample is ready for imaging.
For dry nanoparticle imaging omit the microchannel sealing step; the liquid evaporates quickly under vacuum. View applications.

Publication list

The K-Kit can be used with many solutions and solvents. The glue (Torr Seal), used to seal the microchannel, has been tested for 24 hrs and is compatible with:

Water
Ethanol
Methanol
Isopropanol
Hexane
Toluene
Chloroform (CHCl3)
PEG400 (Polyethylene Glycol)
NMP (N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone)
CAN (CH3CN – Acetonitrile)
DMSO (Dimethyl sulfoxide)
0.1N HCl (Hychloric acid)
0.1 N HNO3 (Nitric acid)
0.1 N KOH (Potassium Hydroxide)
1% NH4OH ( Ammonium Hydroxide)
The glue (Torr Seal) is not compatible with: Acetone, DCM (Dichloromethane) and THF (Tetrahydrofuran)


K-kit-and-conventional-TEM-comparison


Ordering information for the K-kit wet cell – liquid TEM sample chamber with 30nm membrane in pack/4

*Prices without VAT, but within the EU, we have to check for valid VAT-ID.
  
K-kit with 30nm Si3N4 membrane thickness, pkg/4 K-kit with 30nm Si3N4 membrane thickness, pkg/4
Product # Unit Price* Add to Quote / Order
23-703004 K-kit with 0.2µm microchannel, 30nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/4 €540,00
23-703014 K-kit with 0.1µm microchannel, 30nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/4 €540,00
23-703024 K-kit with 2µm microchannel, 30nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/4 €510,00
23-703034 K-kit with 0.5µm microchannel, 30nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/4 €540,00

 

Ordering information for the K-kit wet cell – liquid TEM sample chamber with 30nm membrane in pack/6

*Prices without VAT, but within the EU, we have to check for valid VAT-ID.
  
K-kit with 30nm Si3N4 membrane thickness, pkg/6 K-kit with 30nm Si3N4 membrane thickness, pkg/6
Product # Unit Price* Add to Quote / Order
23-703006 K-kit with 0.2µm microchannel, 30nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/6 €840,00
23-703016 K-kit with 0.1µm microchannel, 30nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/6 €840,00
23-703026 K-kit with 2µm microchannel, 30nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/6 €840,00
23-703036 K-kit with 0.5µm microchannel, 30nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/6 €840,00

 

Ordering information for the K-kit wet cell – liquid TEM sample chamber with 100nm membrane in pack/4

*Prices without VAT, but within the EU, we have to check for valid VAT-ID.
  
K-kit with 100nm Si3N4 membrane thickness, pkg/4 K-kit with 100nm Si3N4 membrane thickness, pkg/4
Product # Unit Price* Add to Quote / Order
23-710004 K-kit with 0.2µm microchannel, 100nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/4 €480,00
23-710014 K-kit with 0.1µm microchannel, 100nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/4 €480,00
23-710024 K-kit with 2µm microchannel, 100nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/4 €480,00
23-710034 K-kit with 0.5µm microchannel, 100nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/4 €480,00
23-710044 K-kit with 1µm microchannel, 100nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/4 €480,00
23-710064 K-kit with 5µm microchannel, 100nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/4 €480,00

 

Ordering information for the K-kit wet cell – liquid TEM sample chamber with 100nm membrane in pack/6

*Prices without VAT, but within the EU, we have to check for valid VAT-ID.
  
K-kit with 100nm Si3N4 membrane thickness, pkg/6 K-kit with 100nm Si3N4 membrane thickness, pkg/6
Product # Unit Price* Add to Quote / Order
23-710006 K-kit with 0.2µm microchannel, 100nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/6 €720,00
23-710016 K-kit with 0.1µm microchannel, 100nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/6 €720,00
23-710026 K-kit with 2µm microchannel, 100nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/6 €720,00
23-710036 K-kit with 0.5µm microchannel, 100nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/6 €720,00
23-710046 K-kit with 1µm microchannel, 100nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/6 €720,00
23-710066 K-kit with 5µm microchannel, 100nm Si3N4 membrane thickness
Qty:

pkg/6 €720,00

 

Ordering Information for the K-kit wet cell accessories and tools

*Prices without VAT, but within the EU, we have to check for valid VAT-ID.
  
K-kit glue box with Torr Seal glue set and epoxy mounting glue set K-kit glue box with Torr Seal glue set and epoxy mounting glue set
Product # Unit Price* Add to Quote / Order
23-730010 each €25,00
Qty:

 

K-kit accessory box with glues, liquid stage (for loading stand), needles and channel opener K-kit accessory box with glues, liquid stage (for loading stand), needles and channel opener
Product # Unit Price* Add to Quote / Order
23-730020 each €50,00
Qty:

 

K-kit starter box with glues, stirring sticks, needles and channel opener K-kit starter box with glues, stirring sticks, needles and channel opener
Product # Unit Price* Add to Quote / Order
23-730030 each €50,00
Qty:

 

K-kit channel opener K-kit channel opener
Product # Unit Price* Add to Quote / Order
23-730040 each €25,00
Qty:

 

K-kit micro channel loading rod K-kit micro channel loading rod
Product # Unit Price* Add to Quote / Order
23-730050 each €80,00
Qty:

 

K-kit sample loading stand K-kit sample loading stand
Product # Unit Price* Add to Quote / Order
23-730052 each €140,00
Qty:

 

K-kit sample loading rod and stand set K-kit sample loading rod and stand set
Product # Unit Price* Add to Quote / Order
23-730055 each €190,00
Qty:

 

K-kit needle pen for glue / epoxy application K-kit needle pen for glue / epoxy application
Product # Unit Price* Add to Quote / Order
23-730060 each €160,00
Qty:

 

K-kit gluing stand K-kit gluing stand
Product # Unit Price* Add to Quote / Order
23-730062 each €60,00
Qty:

 

K-kit  needle pen and gluing stand set K-kit needle pen and gluing stand set
Product # Unit Price* Add to Quote / Order
23-730065 each €190,00
Qty:

 

K-kit copper aperture grids for mounting the K-kit sample holder K-kit copper aperture grids for mounting the K-kit sample holder
Product # Unit Price* Add to Quote / Order
23-730070 pkg/10 €20,00
Qty:

 

K-kit copper folding grid grids for holding the K-kit sample holder, compatible with TEM grid holder K-kit copper folding grid grids for holding the K-kit sample holder, compatible with TEM grid holder
Product # Unit Price* Add to Quote / Order
23-730072 pkg/10 €180,00
Qty:

 

Glass slides Glass slides
Product # Unit Price* Add to Quote / Order
23-730075 pkg/6 €6,00
Qty:

 

K-kit tool box with sample loading and gluing tools, accessory box and glass slides K-kit tool box with sample loading and gluing tools, accessory box and glass slides
Product # Unit Price* Add to Quote / Order
23-730095 each €500,00
Qty:

 



SEM Supplies

TEM Supplies

Calibration

Sample Preparation

AFM / SPM

  Product Menu with Images
  SEM Sample Stubs
  Carbon Tabs
  Sample Stub Adapters
  SEM Stage Adapters
  SEM Sample Holders
  SEM Preparation Stands
  Filaments / Cathodes
  Silicon Finder Grid
  Gatan 3View Pins
  FEI Volumescope Pins
  SEM Stub Storage Boxes
  Phenom Supplies
  JEOL NeoScope Supplies
  Hitachi TM Series Supplies
  Field & Lab Sampler Kits
  FlowView liquid sample Kit

Instruments

  Acoustic Enclosures
  Compact sputter coaters
  Cressington SEM coaters
  TEM Sample Prep
  Diaphragm Pump
  Rotary vacuum Pump
  Precision diamond saw  
  TEM Grids
  TEM Support Films
  Silicon Nitride Films
  K-Kit Wet Cell Holder
  Graphene Films
  TEM Grid Boxes
  Cryo Grid Boxes
  TEM Sample Staining
  3mm Embedding Tubes
  Filaments/Cathodes
  Eyelash Manipulators

Cryo Supplies

  Cryo Grid Boxes
  Other Cryo Supplies

FIB Supplies

  FIB Lift-out Grids
  FIB Low Profile Stubs
  FIB Grid Holders
  FIB Pre-tilt Holders
  FIB Pre-tilt stubs
  FIB Grid Boxes
  SEM / FIB Magn. Calib.
  SEM Res. Test Spec.
  EDS / WDS Calibration
  TEM Calibration
  AFM / SPM Calibration
  LM Magn. Calibration

Vacuum Supplies

  Vacuum Gauges
  KF/NW Vacuum Parts
  KF/NW Vacuum Hoses
  Vacuum Oil and Grease
  Vacuum Sealant
  Diaphragm Pump
  Rotary vacuum Pump
  Vacuum Sample Storage
  Vacuum Pick-Up Pens

Sample Coating Supplies

  Sputter Targets
  Carbon Rods & Fibers
  Quartz QCM Crystals
  SEM Sample Coating Fluid

Evaporation Supplies

  Thermal Evaporation Sources
  Evaporation Materials
  Supports & Substrates
  SEM Preparation Stands
  Tweezers
  Probes & Picks
  Applicators & Swabs
  Plastic Transfer Pipettes
  Cutting Tools / Scissors
  Conductive Paint/Cement
  Conductive Tapes & Tabs
  Non-Conductive Adhesives
  Sample Storage
  Hand Tools
  Sorting Wire Mesh
  Preparation Surfaces
  Cleaning / Gloves
  Conductive Metal Powders
  Metallographic Sample Prep
  AFM/SPM Discs
  AFM/SPM Disc Pick-up Tool
  AFM/SPM Holders
  AFM/SPM Disc Storage
  Cantilever Tweezers
  AFM/SPM Discs Tweezers
  Nano-Tec Mica Discs
  HOPG Substrates

Light Microscopy

  Correlative Cover Slips
  Glass Microscope Slides
  Glass Cover Slips
  Quartz Microscope Slides
  Quartz Cover Slips
  Black Metal Slides
  Slide Storage Boxes
  LM Calibration
  Plastic Transfer Pipettes
  Optical Lens Tissue
  Glass Petri Dishes
  PTFE Beakers