Frozen-state morphology and ultrastructure
plunge or high-pressure freezing
Material Analysis · Microscopy & Imaging
Cryogenic Scanning Electron Microscopy (Cryo-SEM)
Characterise frozen-state morphology and ultrastructure, interfaces, pores, particles, and fracture faces, and optional elemental or tomographic information using a scope agreed around your sample and decision.
- Price
- from£60 per sample, excl. VAT
- Turnaround
- 9 working days Preparation and scope dependent
- Available platforms
- ZEISS GeminiSEM 560 with cryo stageFEI Quanta 450Hitachi SU8100
- Typical outputs
- Cryo-SEM or cryo-TEM micrographsAnnotated structures at agreed scalesOptional cryo-EDS, tomography, or lamella recordMethod-specific images
Why this test
What Cryo-SEM can help you understand
Cryogenic Scanning Electron Microscopy is selected when the project needs defensible information on frozen-state morphology and ultrastructure, interfaces, pores, particles, and fracture faces, or optional elemental or…
Interfaces, pores, particles, and fracture faces
cryo-fracture and sublimation
Optional elemental or tomographic information
cryo-FIB lamella preparation and cryo-TEM
Choose the scope
Start from the question, not the instrument
The measurement mode, preparation route and reporting depth depend on what you need to learn from the sample.
Plunge or high-pressure freezing
frozen-state morphology and ultrastructure
- Best used when
- frozen-state morphology and ultrastructure
- Typical result
- Cryo-SEM or cryo-TEM micrographs
- Preparation note
- Exact mass and any drying or dispersion step are confirmed after technical review.
Cryo-fracture and sublimation
interfaces, pores, particles, and fracture faces
- Best used when
- interfaces, pores, particles, and fracture faces
- Typical result
- Annotated structures at agreed scales
- Preparation note
- Declare volatility, corrosivity, suspended solids and any storage or temperature requirement.
Cryo-FIB lamella preparation and cryo-TEM
optional elemental or tomographic information
- Best used when
- optional elemental or tomographic information
- Typical result
- Optional cryo-EDS, tomography, or lamella record
- Preparation note
- Declare biological hazards and confirm fixation, dehydration, temperature and disposal requirements.
Common outputs
A result package matched to the decision you need to make
Fields, measurement conditions, processing and file formats are confirmed before work begins.
Cryo-SEM or cryo-TEM micrographs reported with the agreed units, sample reference and measurement conditions.
Annotated structures at agreed scales supplied in a labelled format suitable for direct sample or condition comparison.
Optional cryo-EDS, tomography, or lamella record provided with the processing basis and quality checks agreed during technical review.
Method-specific images included when selected in the confirmed reporting scope.
Sample requirements
What to send
Provide representative, clearly labelled samples and identify the region, feature or comparison that matters.
| Suitable sample or input | Submission requirement | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Powder / particles | Provide a dry, homogeneous and clearly labelled sample in a sealed container. | Exact mass and any drying or dispersion step are confirmed after technical review. |
| Liquid / solution | Provide a sealed, compatible container labelled with composition, concentration and solvent. | Declare volatility, corrosivity, suspended solids and any storage or temperature requirement. |
| Biological / soft material | Provide fixed, preserved or otherwise stabilised material in the agreed container and medium. | Declare biological hazards and confirm fixation, dehydration, temperature and disposal requirements. |
| Test coupon / specimen | Provide labelled specimens prepared to the agreed geometry, orientation and surface condition. | Confirm the applicable standard, dimensions, loading direction and number of replicates. |
Region of interest: include a marked image, sketch or reference when the target feature is localised.
Handling: declare hazardous, magnetic, volatile, moisture-sensitive, beam-sensitive or temperature-controlled material before dispatch.
Questions and answers
Common planning decisions
Short answers to issues that can change preparation, scope or interpretation.
What should I send for Cryogenic Scanning Electron Microscopy?
Provide powder / particles, liquid / solution, biological / soft material, test coupon / specimen as applicable. Exact quantity, dimensions and preparation are confirmed during technical review.
Which analysis option should I choose?
Choose the mode around the decision you need to make. For frozen-state morphology and ultrastructure, start with plunge or high-pressure freezing; add cryo-fracture and sublimation when comparison or quantification is required.
How long will the test take?
Typical turnaround is 9 working days after sample acceptance and method confirmation.
What can limit the result?
Ice contamination, devitrification, and beam damage can obscure fine structure. International shipment of frozen or hazardous samples requires case-by-case approval.
Configure the service
Send the information needed to scope Cryo-SEM correctly
- Sample form, material, dimensions and quantity
- Feature or decision the result must address
- Marked region of interest where relevant
- Required comparison, output and reporting depth