K-kit is an easy to use innovative sample holder for imaging liquid specimens with TEM. It is a single-use sample holder with a sealable micro-channel between two silicon nitride membranes. K-kit is made from silicon with Si₃N₄ membranes, using the latest MEMS technologies. Included with each K-kit is a copper aperture grid to mount the sealed wet cell. K-kit is compatible with most standard TEM holders.

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The microchannel, with two rectangular silicon nitride windows, enables imaging and analysis of nano-particles suspended in liquid. The size of the silicon nitride window is 300µm x 25µm with channel heights of 0.2 and 2µm. Applications are wide ranging from, material, life, chemical and biological sciences.  Nanoparticles can be imaged in their native state or in-situ dynamic physical and/or chemical reactions can be observed. K-kit is also proving to have a number of advantages for nanopharmaceutical applications.

K-kit can also be used for EDX analysis of liquid samples. 

K-kit can also be used in dry 'thin-layer' mode. The suspended particles are dried in the K-kit microchannel to avoid agglomeration which tends to occur when droplets of suspensions are dried on a support film.

Compatible with FESEM – STEM detectors. K-kits with 30nm Si₃N₄ membranes are compatible with FESEMs equipped with a STEM detector when 25 – 30kV is used for imaging. The best results for this application are achieved in dry mode.

Key advantages of K-kit wet cell:

• Easy to use liquid TEM sample holder for aqueous suspensions
• Low cost alternative to very expensive in-situ liquid TEM holders
• Single use avoids cross contamination
• Choice of two microchannels: 0.2 µm and 2 µm
• Compatible with STEM detectors in FESEM systems @ 25-30 kV
• Suitable for EDS analysis
• Complete set of  dedicated preparation tools available
• Dry 'thin-layer' mode for quantitative analysis of nano-particles

Fore more examples of the applications of K-kit and a list of published papers see our applications page.

If you have access to a TEM you can now do liquid TEM without the need for expensive in-situ TEM holders, costing hundreds of thousands of £££’s.  

K-kit is easy to use with a few small tools. Using the K-kit holder touch the K-kit chip onto a droplet to draw in the liquid. The liquid sample enters the microchannel of K-kit by capillary action. Using the same holder turned into an upright position the microchannel is sealed using vacuum proof (Torr Seal^®) glue and then a 3.05mm hole grid is mounted with adhesive. After a short pump down in a vacuum chamber the K-kit liquid sample is ready for imaging.

The video (right) shows the loading and ease of use of K-kit from start to finish.

Instructions for use can be downloaded as a pdf here.

For more videos on using K-kit and K-kit tools please see our K-kit in use page.

How to order

For pricing and to order K-kits, K-kit tools and accessories please see our K-kit ordering page