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Examples of lab-transferred ice crystals from the Magee Group at TCNJ.

Abstract:
Quorum Technologies, market and technology leaders in electron microscopy coating and cryogenic preparation products, report on the use of their PP3010T cryo SEM preparation system which is being used to understand the formation of ice crystals in high altitude clouds.

News from Quorum: The College of New Jersey use the Quorum Cryo-SEM preparation system in a project to study ice crystals in high altitude clouds

Laughton, UK | Posted on July 19th, 2016

Dr Nate Magee is an associate Professor of Physics at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) where he leads a team working to advance the understanding of the physical role of ice crystals in processes with high altitude clouds. Cirrus clouds are primarily composed of ice crystals that interact with solar radiation and IR radiation from the ground, and they play a significant, but still poorly understood role in Earth's climate. The precise shapes and textures of these cirrus ice crystals largely determine how solar radiation interacts with the clouds (i.e. reflection & scattering angles) but the microscale structure is still fairly uncertain. Dr Magee is working with the Quorum cryo preparation system to make high-resolution images, 3D reconstructions and statistical measurements of ice crystals that are grown in the lab under cirrus conditions as well as ice crystals that are collected and recovered directly from high altitude cirrus using weather balloons and robotic cryo-capture.

A cryo preparation system is vital to the success of these studies. Describing the work, Dr Magee says, “Keeping ice crystals very cold (sub -150 °C) means that their vapour pressure will be sufficiently low that their shape and surface structure can be "locked" in place as we image and analyse the ice particles. Working at Peltier cooling stage temps (maybe to -50 °C) would not make this possible. The Quorum PP3010T transfer and interlock setup on our Hitachi SEM (with a few custom modifications on our part) has made it possible to transfer crystals from our lab systems directly into the SEM for imaging without exposing them to warmth or excess water vapour.”

So why did Dr Magee select the Quorum cryo-preparation package? “I have used Peltier cooling stages with FEI SEMs, which actually do have a few advantages for some types of in-situ ice growth experiments. However, as I have said, we required sub -150 °C temperatures for this study so, after considering what was available, we chose to work with Quorum. Their full cryo temperature range and interlock prep chamber works very well for transfer experiments. We are still working to develop its functionality for in-situ dynamic experiments on growing ice.”

This work is being presented in July at the International Conference on Clouds and Precipitation in Manchester.1,2

The Quorum PP3010T is a highly automated, easy to use, column-mounted, gas-cooled cryo preparation system suitable for most makes and models of SEM, FE-SEM and FIB/SEM. Highly efficient cooling allows temperatures of down to -190 °C to be routinely achieved. The PP3010T includes facilities for rapid freezing and handling pre-frozen samples, cold fracturing, controlled sublimation and high resolution sputter coating. The typical process time for samples is between five and ten minutes.

To obtain full details of the cryo-SEM preparation systems and other products available from Quorum Technologies, please visit www.quorumtech.com.

References

1 Magee, N.B., K. Boaggio, L. Bancroft, M. Bandamede, and K. Hurler, 2016: Cryo-Scanning Electron Microscopy of Captured Cirrus Ice Particles. Abstract #565, 17th International Conf. on Clouds and Precip. Manchester, UK, July 2016.

2 Bancroft, L., K. Boaggio, K. Hurler, M. Bandamede, and N.B. Magee, 2016: Comparative analysis of lab-grown ice crystals by Cryo-Scanning Electron Microscopy. Abstract #566, 17th International Conf. on Clouds and Precip. Manchester, UK, July 2016.

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About Quorum Technologies Limited
Quorum Technologies are market and technology leaders in electron microscopy (EM) coating and cryogenic preparation. The company was founded in 2001 after the acquisition of the long-established Polaron brand and its range of EM products from Thermo Instruments. In 2005, they acquired the Emitech company, allowing Quorum to extend their product range and further grow the business.

Since the start, Quorum has been responding to industry requests and requirements for new instruments and techniques. This first culminated in the introduction of the market-leading Q Series of vacuum coaters and PP3010T cryo preparation system for SEM and FIB/SEM - true ground-up redesigns that have truly set the standard within the specimen preparation field.

Further impetus and investment came with the acquisition of Quorum by Judges Scientific plc and a move to a purpose-built factory and offices close to the South Downs National Park at Laughton, East Sussex in the South East of England.

In 2014 Quorum were proud winners of the Queen's Award for Enterprise for International Trade.

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www.quorumtech.com

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