American University's Microscopy Core, located in the Hall of Science, provides advanced electron microscopy instrumentation and support to AU faculty and student researchers, as well as industry, government labs, and external academic and nonprofit organizations in the Washington, DC area.

Our Instruments

JEOL JSM IT-100 Scanning Electron Microscope & Elemental Analysis

 

JEOL JEM 2100 Plus Transmission Electron Microscope & Elemental Analysis

Other Instruments

In addition to electron microscopy, AU's Microscopy Core offers other microscope and imaging modalities including:

• Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope + Camera
• Fluorescence Compound Microscope + Camera
• Fluorescence Stereo Microscope + Camera
• Polarizing Compound Microscope + Camera
• Polarizing Stereo Microscope

Training Process

New users who wish to become independent users for electron microscopy instrumentation are trained on a case-by-case basis, determined by the type of microscope requested for use and other factors. Training times required vary widely depending on the microscope type and users' prior experience, but estimates range from around 1-3 hours for SEM training and around 3-5 hours at minimum for TEM training.

New users must schedule a one-time, no-charge introduction session with the Instrument Coordinator to have a Lab Safety Review and an introduction to the type(s) of microscope(s) requested for use. Project and sample analysis requirements can be discussed at this time. New users must review relevant, key sections in the JEOL User Manual prior to meeting with the Instrument Coordinator for the introduction session.

Next, new users must schedule an appointment to begin training with the Instrument Coordinator. During this training session:

1. We demonstrate the use of the instrument to the user once.
2. We let the user operate the instrument, with close supervision.
3. We let the user operate the instrument alone, but remain available to answer questions and assist, if needed.

Once the new user is comfortable with operating the instrument alone, the Instrument Coordinator will determine if the user is sufficiently trained and can work independently. 

Pricing

To begin, please contact Andrea Blake Brothers (brothers@american.edu).