A device comprising a base and a support structure is disclosed. The base includes a vial receptacle for holding a vial. The support structure is coupled to an upper portion of the base and is configured to align a pipette comprising a pipette tip vertically over the vial receptacle. The support structure is configured to support a pipette such that an end of a pipette tip is positioned one or more predetermined depths within a vial in the vial receptacle.

A method for withdrawing a solution comprising a plurality of particles from a vial is disclosed. The method includes agitating the vial at a first predetermined mixing speed to suspend the plurality of particles in the solution. The method also includes withdrawing, during the agitating, a first volume of the solution from the vial with a pipette, such that an end of a pipette tip is positioned at a first predetermined depth within the vial.

A method for preparing an aliquot of solution comprising a plurality of particles is disclosed. The method includes agitating the solution with a baffle at a predetermined mixing speed to suspend the plurality of particles in the solution, wherein the baffle positioned at least partially within a vessel containing the solution, and wherein the vessel is engaged with a vessel receptacle configured to hold the vessel. The method also includes withdrawing, during the agitating, the aliquot of solution from the vessel with a pipette, such that an end of a pipette tip is positioned within the vessel.

The disclosure describes assemblies and systems for use in reel-to-reel imaging of ultrathin samples. The assemblies and the systems disclosed herein are adapted for use with a plurality of detectors and are configured for use in a variety of electron microscopes. Also, methods of using such assemblies and systems are disclosed.

A plurality of accessory components for use in respective reel to reel sectioning, serial sectioning, and array tomography sectioning described herein incorporate mechanical and electro-mechanical engineering to provide accessory tools for attachment to and use with a microtome, as shown in several of the figures of this disclosure.

A synthetic source rock including roasted tea powder and inorganic material. A technique for preparing the synthetic source rock, including grinding tea leaves to give tea powder, roasting the tea powder at a roasting temperature to give a roasted tea powder, and determining composition and porosity of the roasted tea powder.

Disclosed are verification techniques that can be implemented by a device that conducts biological tests to verify that the specimen holding area carries a valid biological specimen. In certain embodiments, the testing device includes a receiving mechanism to receive a carrier, and the carrier includes a holding area that is to carry or to be exposed to a biological specimen. The device can also include a camera module arranged to capture imagery of the carrier, and a processor. In some examples, the processor can capture the imagery of the carrier and identify a visual cue on the carrier. Then, the processor can verify, based on a manner of how the visual cue is displayed in the captured imagery, whether the holding area carries a valid biological specimen.

A device for sample analysis, including: a first plate, a second plate, spacers, a hinge, and an adhesive, wherein the first plate and the second plate are connected by the hinge and movable relative to each other around the axis of the hinge into different configurations, including an open configuration and a closed configuration as disclosed herein. Also disclosed are a kit, a system, and a method including the device.

Embodiments include a device for testing biological specimen. The device can include a receiving mechanism to receive a carrier. The carrier may include a holding area. The device includes a camera to capture a plurality of images of the holding area. A processor in the device may utilize the camera module to: adaptively select, based on the plurality of images of the holding area, an analytical algorithm suitable for a motion property that is characteristic of the biological specimen being tested; and perform a set of analytic processes that corresponds to the selected analytic algorithm on the captured imagery to generate an analytic result associated with the biological specimen.

An apparatus and method for cleaving a liquid sample are disclosed. The apparatus includes a load lock chamber containing a cleaving module, a cryo-cooler, a vacuum chamber configured to receive the cleaving module from the load lock chamber, and a gate valve between the load lock chamber and the vacuum chamber. The cleaving module is configured to cleave a crystalline sample holder and the liquid sample. The liquid sample includes one or more liquid phase materials and is cleavable by the cleaving module when in the solid phase. The cryo-cooler is configured to cool and/or maintain a temperature of the sample holder and the sample below the melting point of each of the liquid phase materials. The gate valve has at least one opening therein configured to (i) allow the cleaving module to enter and exit the vacuum chamber and/or (ii) permit gaseous communication between the load lock chamber and the vacuum chamber.