Sorvall Model MT 5000 Ultra Microtome

The Ultra Microtome is an instrument that uses a very sharp glass knife cut tissue into very thin slices (down to ~20nm). Such thin tissue samples are then ready for staining and for preparation for optical microscopy, electron microscopy or for laser capture microdissection studies.  Ultramicrotomy was a breakthrough invention in the history of TEM as the very thin sections are needed to allow electron beam penetration through samples. 


Related links:

• http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/physics/
microscopes/tem/preparation.html
The Transmission Electron Microscope - Preparation of Specimen