Hello everyone!
Today I wanted to cut some semithin sections (1µ) at the ultramicrotome like always. However, for some reason both diamond knives that I usually use do not stay wet. Everything is fine until I remove excess water to get the mirroring surface. As soon as I have a smooth gray water surface, the water in the trough retracts from the knife?
I tried cleaning the knife with 70% Ethanol, changed the water, and switched the knife, didn't help.
Thanks for your answers!
Maria
You can try usual cleaning procedure: https://www.emsdiasum.com/microscopy/products/diamond/use.aspx
You can try to soak your knife overnight in detergent solution (such as Alconox). Rinse thoroughly, but do not wash with any solvents (traces of detergent can make knife hydrophilic).
Wet your index finger and thumb with a bit of your saliva and use them to spread the tiniest bit of saliva on your eyelash tool. Use eyelash to "draw" water to the edge of your knife. Saliva is one of the best wetting agents for diamond.
You can try usual cleaning procedure: https://www.emsdiasum.com/microscopy/products/diamond/use.aspx
You can try to soak your knife overnight in detergent solution (such as Alconox). Rinse thoroughly, but do not wash with any solvents (traces of detergent can make knife hydrophilic).
Wet your index finger and thumb with a bit of your saliva and use them to spread the tiniest bit of saliva on your eyelash tool. Use eyelash to "draw" water to the edge of your knife. Saliva is one of the best wetting agents for diamond.
Dear Maria Morozova ....in addition to the stringent answer by Vladimir (saliva is a "natural" agent....(:-)) you might read also recent/abncillary information in these two former threads:
cf:
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Does_anyone_know_how_to_properly_clean_a_diamond_knife
&
https://www.researchgate.net/post/why_water_does_not_reach_to_the_edge_of_the_blade_while_sectioning_in_ultramicrotome
(using the RG-Search-field-Function: 'diamond knife' and choosing QESTIONS as the source of information....
@ Vlad: hopefully you are well?? !! my best regards and compliments! My best wishes and regards, WH.M.
Thank you! I will come back to those threads in case I encounter new problems (which I expect to happen ;) ).
In my current case using 100% alcohol instead of 70% ethanol as described in the link posted by Vladimir Dusevich has done the trick.
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