Ireland – Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) – LA3680C - UL - CFT for the Supply, Delivery and Installation of Electron Microscopy Lab Equipment (3 Lots) for University of Limerick (UL)

University of Limerick request the supply of a Lab equipment for sample preparation and imaging of a wide range of materials. The purpose of the instrument is to enable preparing a diverse range of challenging samples, as well as enabling surface analysis and structural characterisation of materials from various research disciplines. Lot 1: Environmental scanning electron microscopy. A versatile and advanced field emission scanning electron microscope with a) high resolution, b) capable of heating and cooling of sample c) supporting pressures from high vacuum(~10⁻⁴ Pa) to ESEM pressures (~2600 Pa) ideal for biological, polymeric, or porous materials prone to dehydration or outgassing under high vacuum. Lot 2: Broad ion-beam polishing system. Fully automated Argon broad ion-beam polishing system. It will streamline the sample preparation process with the goal of providing robust, and high-quality surface finishes, even on the most challenging samples. The supplied system must be compatible with the existing samples transfer infrastructure available in Bernal Institute. Lot 3: Gold Sputter. SEM sample prep instrument for sample coating with conductive metals e.g. Au of non-conducting samples for standard SEM or tabletop SEM imaging. Should be an economical desktop unit proposed simple to operate with rapid pump down times, fine grain coatings and negligible sample heating.