Specimen preparation for scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

The initial steps in preparation of biological material for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are similar to specimen preparation for TEM.

After dehydration into absolute ethanol, specimens are dried using critical point dehydration (CPD) or hexamethyldisilatzane (Fluka), mounted into aluminium stubs and coated with carbon or platinum.

Specimen preparation for SEM Gallery

Image 1-4 Linognathus setosus, dog sucking lice

Image 5 Images of Asteraceae flower and pollen grains (W.Cuellar & L. Lobo, EM course 2005).