200kV Cyro-Transmission Electron Microscope

• Subject Area: Materials Engineering
• Term: Funded in 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 520852391

The interfaculty research network SRF AMICA (Stuttgart Research Focus Advanced Materials Innovation and Characterization) pools the instrumental, methodological and technical expertise of various scientists at the University of Stuttgart and strengthens the collaboration between scientists of different research areas. The planned transmission electron microscope will be operated as a multi-user instrument within the framework of the AMICA core facility and will thus be available to all users of the university. It will replace one irreparably defective and three outdated transmission electron microscopes. This will bring together further expertise in the field of transmission electron microscopy in a joint research center. High-resolution characterizations of beam-sensitive materials by transmission electron microscopy are essential and state of the art for current research areas in biology, biomedicine, chemistry and materials science. For the adequate characterization of beam-sensitive samples (especially with cryo- and tomography methods), there is currently no suitable equipment available at the University of Stuttgart - despite the existing need - especially not for the broad application in user mode. The application for the Cryo-sTEM is intended to meet this need and to ensure easy access to the method via AMICA. The selected instrument configuration requested here meets the requirements for a variety of different participating research groups. Beam-sensitive materials of current and planned research projects to be investigated with the planned Cryo-sTEM include biogenic materials, biominerals, viruses, DNA/RNA nanostructures, mammalian cells, muscle tissue, polymers, hydrogels, plastics and hybrid materials. The research questions and projects range from biology and biomedicine to chemistry, materials science and a number of interdisciplinary and cross-faculty research projects.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: 200kV Kryo-Transmissionselektronenmikroskop
• Instrumentation Group: 5100 Elektronenmikroskope (Transmission)
• Applicant Institution: Universität Stuttgart
• Leader: Professor Dr.-Ing. Stefan Weihe