Electron Microscopy Core
The Electron Microscopy Core at Houston Methodist is a service and research resource equipped to perform scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, fluorescent microscopy, and atomic force microscopy.
The core houses brand new FEI Nova NanoSEM, Scanning Electron Microscope (FEI Nova NanoSEM), sample processing equipment (sputter-coater) and two Bruker atomic force microscopes – the Catalyst and the MultiMode®.
The core staff is available to train and assist with sample preparation and imaging samples. The core is a fee-for-use and fee-for-service facility.
Core Director:
Jianhua (James) Gu
713.441.9955
jgu@houstonmethodist.org
Training
To insure that new users have adequate expertise to use the scanning electron microscope, training is required. Training includes one session to introduce and demonstrate the scanning electron microscope and a second session for hands-on work with a standard sample. The length of each session is depends on user experience. Please see the fee schedule for information on training pricing.
Fees
Our fee schedule outlines the costs of training, sample preparation and use of the electron microscopes.
Scanning Electron Microscope
- Unassisted internal use, $35 per hour (charged in 15-minute increments)
- Unassisted external use, $50 per hour (charged in 15-minute increments)
- Services, samples submitted for imaging by core, $75 per hour
- Questions and help for trained users, free (it is our pleasure)
SEM Sample Prep
- Sputter coating, $2.50 per 1 nm layer use
Atomic Force Microscope
- Catalyst Microscope, $50 per hour (charged in 15-minute increments)
- Multimode Microscope, $20 per hour (charged in 15-minute increments)