A precision cryostat design for manual and semi-automated cryo-plunge instruments

Here we describe a bench-top cryostat system tocontrol the temperature ofliquid ethane in a cryo-plunge apparatus designed for biological specimen preparation for electron cryomicroscopy. It comprises a foam insulated Dewar containing acopper cryostat cup, whose temperature iscontrolled via an active feedback system to within 0.1 K. The device can easily be incorporated into existing manual and semi-automatic cryo-plunge instruments that are not equipped with cryogenic temperaturecontrol. Over the course of normal use, we find that using a cryostat is convenient, fast, and does not require special mixtures of cryogens like ethane/propane. This simple cryostat improves the reliability and reproducibility of biological specimen preparation for electron cryomicroscopy.

Source: Review of Scientific Instruments - November 21, 2016 Category: Physics Authors: Christopher J. Russo, Steve Scotcher and Martin Kyte Source Type: research