K-kit and tools
K-kit is an innovative, easy to use specimen holder for the imaging and analysis of liquid samples with TEM. It is a single-use holder with a sealable micro-channel formed between two silicon nitride membranes. A choice of membrane thickness of 30nm or 100nm is available for a wide range of sample types and applications. K-kit is compatible with most standard brands of TEM holders.
K-kit is manufactured from silicon combined with Si3N4 membranes using the latest MEMS technologies. The K-kit microchannel comprises two rectangular silicon nitride membranes with a viewing window of 300µm x 25µm.Â
The gap (channel height) between the two membranes is available with options of 0.1µm, 0.2µm, 0.5µm, 1.0µm, 2.0µm and 5.0µm.
Included with each K-kit is a copper aperture grid to mount the sealed wet cell.Â
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.
- 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
Using K-kit
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 Please see top of this page.
Below you will find various instructional videos illustrated the procedures for using K-kit for best results.
K-kit can be used in many applications where TEM visualisation of samples in their native liquid form is desirable. Examples include industries such as food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and electronics where nanoparticles need to be characterised lend themselves to the use of K-kit.
Dynamic TEM observation of silicate nanoparticles in water
Dynamic TEM observation of polystyrene beads under various media
TEM studies of CaCO3 particles in milk
EDX analysis is achievable on a K-kit by pointing the long side of the window to the detector and tilting the holder at an angle.
For some types of TEM installed with multiple EDX detectors, they usually can get a clear X-ray excited signal from K-kit, no need to turn any of body rotation or tilting.Â
Ordering information:
K-kit for liquid TEMÂ
Please select the K-kit membrane thickness, chamber height and pack size from the following:
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K-kit 0.2/100
K-kit with gap height of 0.2um and SiN thickness of 100nm (pack of 4)
£455.56 Add to basketK-kit 0.2/100
K-kit with gap height of 0.2um and SiN thickness of 100nm (pack of 4)
£455.56 -
K-kit 0.2/30
K-kit with gap height of 0.2um and SiN thickness of 30nm (pack of 4)
£455.56 Add to basketK-kit 0.2/30
K-kit with gap height of 0.2um and SiN thickness of 30nm (pack of 4)
£455.56 -
K-kit 2/100
K-kit with gap height of 2um and SiN thickness of 100nm (pack of 4)
£455.56 Add to basketK-kit 2/100
K-kit with gap height of 2um and SiN thickness of 100nm (pack of 4)
£455.56 -
K-kit 2/30
K-kit with gap height of 2um and SiN thickness of 30nm (pack of 4)
£455.56 Add to basketK-kit 2/30
K-kit with gap height of 2um and SiN thickness of 30nm (pack of 4)
£455.56 -
K-kit 0.2/100
K-kit with gap height of 0.2um and SiN thickness of 100nm (pack of 6)
£655.56 Add to basketK-kit 0.2/100
K-kit with gap height of 0.2um and SiN thickness of 100nm (pack of 6)
£655.56 -
K-kit 0.2/30
K-kit with gap height of 0.2um and SiN thickness of 30nm (pack of 6)
£655.56 Add to basketK-kit 0.2/30
K-kit with gap height of 0.2um and SiN thickness of 30nm (pack of 6)
£655.56 -
K-kit 2/100
K-kit with gap height of 2um and SiN thickness of 100nm (pack of 6)
£655.56 Add to basketK-kit 2/100
K-kit with gap height of 2um and SiN thickness of 100nm (pack of 6)
£655.56 -
K-kit 2/30
K-kit with gap height of 2um and SiN thickness of 30nm (pack of 6)
£655.56 Add to basketK-kit 2/30
K-kit with gap height of 2um and SiN thickness of 30nm (pack of 6)
£655.56 -
K-kit 0.5um/ 30nm
K-kit with gap height of 0.5um and SiN thickness of 30nm (pack of 6)
£407.24 Add to basketK-kit 0.5um/ 30nm
K-kit with gap height of 0.5um and SiN thickness of 30nm (pack of 6)
£407.24 -
K-kit 0.5um/ 30nm
K-kit with gap height of 0.5um and SiN thickness of 30nm (pack of 4)
£610.86 Add to basketK-kit 0.5um/ 30nm
K-kit with gap height of 0.5um and SiN thickness of 30nm (pack of 4)
£610.86
K-kit tools and K-kit options
Tools and accessories are required for using K-kit. The K-kit tool box contains all the items you need. Additional parts and consumables are also available.
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K-kit tool box
K-kit tool box K-kit. Houses a full tool set including specimen loading stand and K-kit holder, gluing stand and needle pen, starter box (sealing and mounting glues), channel opener, glass slides. (K-Kits which need to be ordered separately)
£492.78 Add to basketK-kit tool box
K-kit tool box K-kit. Houses a full tool set including specimen loading stand and K-kit holder, gluing stand and needle pen, starter box (sealing and mounting glues), channel opener, glass slides. (K-Kits which need to be ordered separately)
£492.78 -
K-kit holder
K-kit holder
Price On Request £71.11 Add to basket -
Glue box
Glue box for K-Kit comprising sealing and mounting glues (two components each) plus mixing sticks.
£22.22 Add to basketGlue box
Glue box for K-Kit comprising sealing and mounting glues (two components each) plus mixing sticks.
£22.22 -
Folding grids
Folding copper grid for mounting K-kit without glue (10 pieces)
£147.06 Add to basketFolding grids
Folding copper grid for mounting K-kit without glue (10 pieces)
£147.06 -
Specimen loading stand
Specimen loading stand
£124.44 Add to basketSpecimen loading stand
Specimen loading stand
£124.44 -
Specimen loading tool set
Specimen loading tool set
£168.89 Add to basketSpecimen loading tool set
Specimen loading tool set
£168.89 -
Needle pen
Needle pen
£142.22 Add to basket -
Gluing stand
Gluings stand
£53.33 Add to basket -
Gluing tool set
Gluing tool set
£168.89 Add to basket -
Accessory box
Accessory box
£44.44 Add to basket -
Starter box
Starter box
£44.44 Add to basket -
Channel opener
Channel opener
£22.22 Add to basket -
Copper grid (10 pieces inside)
Copper grid (packet of 10)
£17.78 Add to basketCopper grid (10 pieces inside)
Copper grid (packet of 10)
£17.78