I currently coat my grids (copper-beryllium slotgrids) in a 0.28%PEI film. The advantage of PEI over traditional formvar is supposed to be for its strength, making it ideal for re-examination of samples as well as allowing adequate stability when performing Electron Tomography using many tilt angles. However, my issue is that often after making a batch of coated grids, the PEI film wrinkles in the slot and or I find small holes in the coating beneath the microscope. The troubling part is, it is hard to know whether I will get a solid batch of grids each time. More consistent prep would make life easier.
Costing a grid is referenced in so many articles.
just read effect of contact load... Elsevier Science direct: Nehme and Aswath
Thank you for your responses. I will be sure to look at the material you both have recommended.
Gabi, I did not mean to imply that I had not taken the time to read articles over the subject. However, it seems each lab has a slightly different approach and most do not use the PEI film that I use. Thus I was hoping maybe someone with experience using PEI could help make this a tad more consistent for me. I am able to make great coated-grids often, however there are times where I seemingly do the exact same procedure and end up with poorly coated grids.
Thanks,
Ian
Sorry Ian, But I use Copper grid to collect debris. I do not know if this will help you.
copper grid could be covered by a very thin carbon film that was gently deposited. The wear debris present in the spent oil of the wear track adhered to the carbon film and was lifted off the wear surface.
Take care
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