Starting TEM
Every new TEM user, is encouraged to arrange a consultation with TEM Lab Manager Dr. Joe Kulik (Ph: 814-865-0344, Email Validate to view contact info ). Dr. Kulik will discuss the best sample preparation approaches, MCL instrumentation, and references and resources available for your specific research.
Because TEM investigations are very expensive and time consuming it may be necessary to obtain information about the material using other characterizations that, compared to TEM investigations, take very little time. Before undertaking a TEM investigation, investigators should obtain as much preliminary information as is feasible using whatever techniques are appropriate (e.g., SEM/EDS, x-ray diffraction, or optical microscopy). Click here to learn more about preliminary investigation prior to TEM.
Prospective TEM users should consider the following:
- It frequently takes several months from the time a user decides they wish to use TEM until they are obtaining high quality data.
- MCL is staffed primarily to provide training and consultation on TEM. Our ability to perform service work is extremely limited. For users with a limited number of samples that are not interested in learning TEM, we will make every effort to accommodate your needs by performing the work, if this is practical, or by matching you up with an existing, trained TEM user to collaborate with. MCL does not provide staff for sample preparation; it is expected that users will be taught how to prepare their own samples with the assistance of MCL staff. Click here to learn more about TEM sample preparation.