Professional Design and Construction Plan for Electron Microscopy Laboratory - Nanjing Expansion Technology

A scientific and reasonable electron microscope laboratory can provide a good environment for the stable operation of the electron microscope, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of experimental data. As a professional laboratory construction service provider, Nanjing Expansion Technology Co., Ltd. has rich experience in electron microscope laboratory design and construction. The following will detail the design points, construction process, and precautions of the electron microscope laboratory.

I. Design Points

Site Selection

Electron microscopes are extremely sensitive to the environment, and the site selection for the electron microscope laboratory must meet strict requirements. Electron microscopes should be kept away from vibration sources, because vibration will seriously affect the imaging quality and resolution of the electron microscope. Areas where large mechanical equipment operates (such as factory workshops), busy traffic sections (such as main roads, near train stations), etc., are all strong vibration sources. The distance between the electron microscope laboratory and these areas should be reasonably planned according to the intensity of the vibration source. It is generally recommended to maintain a distance of at least 50 meters.

At the same time, the electron microscope laboratory should be kept away from magnetic field and electric field interference sources. Magnetic fields will cause the electron beam to deflect, affecting the imaging accuracy; electric field interference may cause the electron microscope circuit system to become unstable. High-voltage substations, large motors, and high-frequency equipment are all strong magnetic field and electric field interference sources. The electron microscope laboratory should avoid these areas. If it is impossible to completely avoid them, effective shielding measures should be taken, such as installing magnetic shielding layers and electric shielding nets.

Layout Planning

Reasonable layout planning is the key to improving the efficiency and safety of the electron microscope laboratory. The electron microscope laboratory should be divided into multiple functional areas, and the various areas should coordinate and cooperate to form a smooth workflow.

The sample preparation area is where sample pretreatment is carried out, and various sample preparation equipment should be equipped, such as microtomes, coating machines, ion sputtering instruments, etc. This area should be close to the electron microscope operating area to facilitate sample transfer, but it should avoid dust, water vapor, etc., generated during sample preparation from affecting the operation environment of the electron microscope laboratory.

The electron microscope operating area is the core area of the electron microscope laboratory, and the electron microscope host, control cabinet, and other equipment should be placed. This area needs to be kept spacious and clean, and unauthorized personnel should be prevented from entering and exiting at will to reduce interference. The placement of the electron microscope should consider the convenience of operation and maintenance, and sufficient space should be reserved around it. It is generally recommended to leave a passage of at least 1.5 meters.

The data analysis area is used to process and analyze the data collected by the electron microscope, and should be equipped with high-performance computers, printers, data storage devices, etc. This area can be adjacent to the electron microscope operating area or set up separately, but data transmission must be ensured smoothly, which is very important for the overall operating efficiency of the electron microscope laboratory.

In addition, the electron microscope laboratory should also set up auxiliary areas, such as reagent storage areas, equipment maintenance areas, changing rooms, etc. The reagent storage area should be classified according to the nature of the reagents, and dangerous goods should be stored separately and safety protection measures should be taken; the equipment maintenance area should be equipped with necessary maintenance tools and spare parts; the changing room is used for experimenters to change experimental clothes, shoes, etc., to reduce the introduction of external pollutants into the electron microscope laboratory.

II. Environmental Control

Electron microscopes have strict requirements on the temperature, humidity, and cleanliness of the environment, and the electron microscope laboratory must have effective environmental control.

In terms of temperature, the electron microscope is very sensitive to temperature fluctuations during operation. The temperature of the electron microscope laboratory should be maintained within the range of 20℃±2℃, and the temperature fluctuation should not exceed ±1℃ per hour. To achieve this requirement, the electron microscope laboratory needs to be equipped with a high-precision air conditioning system, using constant temperature and humidity air conditioning units, and reasonable airflow organization design to ensure that the indoor temperature is uniform and stable.

Humidity control is also very important. The relative humidity of the electron microscope laboratory should be maintained between 45%-65%. Too high humidity will cause equipment rust and circuit short circuits; too low humidity will easily generate static electricity and damage the electronic components of the electron microscope. The humidity of the electron microscope laboratory can be controlled through the humidification and dehumidification functions of the air conditioning system, and a humidity monitor can be installed in the electron microscope laboratory to monitor humidity changes in real time.

In terms of cleanliness, the cleanliness level of the electron microscope laboratory generally requires Class 1000-Class 10000 (ISO 8-ISO 7). To ensure cleanliness, the electron microscope laboratory should adopt a clean room design, install high-efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA) or ultra-high-efficiency particulate air filters (ULPA), and form unidirectional flow or turbulent clean airflow organization. At the same time, the entry and exit of personnel and objects should be controlled to reduce the introduction of external pollutants, and the electron microscope laboratory should be cleaned and maintained regularly.

III. Construction Process

Preliminary Preparation

Preliminary preparation work is the foundation of electron microscope laboratory construction and directly affects the smooth progress of subsequent construction work.

Needs analysis is the primary link in the preliminary preparation, and it is necessary to understand the use, scale, and testing items of the electron microscope laboratory in detail. Different types of electron microscopes (such as transmission electron microscopes, scanning electron microscopes) and experimental needs have different design requirements for the electron microscope laboratory. Therefore, it is necessary to fully communicate with users to clarify various indicators, such as the model and quantity of the electron microscope, and future expansion needs.

Scheme design is carried out on the basis of needs analysis. A professional design team, according to relevant standards and specifications, combined with the actual situation of the electron microscope laboratory, formulates a detailed design scheme. The scheme should include the floor plan, cross-sectional drawing, pipeline layout drawing, equipment configuration list, environmental control parameters, etc., of the electron microscope laboratory. The design scheme must be reviewed and confirmed by the user before proceeding to the next step.

Budget preparation is based on the design scheme and market conditions, and a detailed calculation of the various costs required for the construction of the electron microscope laboratory, including civil engineering costs, equipment purchase costs, installation engineering costs, design costs, supervision costs, etc. Budget preparation should strive to be accurate and reasonable, providing a basis for project fund preparation.

Mid-term Construction

The mid-term construction stage involves multiple construction links, and construction must be carried out strictly in accordance with the design scheme and relevant standards to ensure the quality of the electron microscope laboratory project.

Civil construction mainly includes wall construction, floor treatment, door and window installation, etc., of the electron microscope laboratory. The floor should use flat, wear-resistant, and anti-static materials, such as epoxy resin flooring; the walls should use fireproof, moisture-proof, and soundproof materials; the doors and windows should have good sealing performance to ensure the cleanliness and environmental stability of the electron microscope laboratory.

Equipment installation is a key link in the mid-term construction, and it needs to be operated by professional technicians in accordance with the equipment installation manual and design requirements. The installation of the electron microscope should ensure that it is level and stable, avoiding vibration; related auxiliary equipment (such as vacuum systems, cooling systems, power supply systems, etc.) should be correctly connected to the electron microscope to ensure the coordinated operation of the equipment, which is crucial for the normal operation of the electron microscope laboratory.

For example, in a cryogenic electron microscopy laboratory construction project built by Nanjing Expansion Technology, there are the following requirements:
 

Constant low temperature and humidity: Typically 20℃, temperature fluctuation 1℃/24 h, humidity less than 45%.

Cleanliness: Class 100,000, Biosafety Level 2

Independent grounding: Less than 1 ohm

Noise requirement: Below 50 dB

Pipeline installation includes power lines, water lines, gas lines, and data lines. Power lines must meet the power requirements of the electron microscope and other equipment, using high-quality cables and distribution boxes, and taking good grounding protection measures; water lines must ensure stable water quality and pressure, and prevent water leakage; gas lines must use appropriate pipes and valves according to different gas types (such as nitrogen, argon, etc.), to ensure safe and reliable gas supply; data lines must use shielded lines to reduce signal interference and ensure data transmission between equipment in the electron microscope laboratory.

Acceptance Inspection

Acceptance inspection is the final step in ensuring the quality of electron microscope laboratory construction, and must be carried out strictly in accordance with relevant standards and specifications.

Equipment commissioning is carried out jointly by the equipment supplier and installation technicians, testing and adjusting the performance indicators of the electron microscope and related equipment to ensure that the equipment reaches its optimal operating state. Commissioning includes vacuum degree, electron beam intensity, imaging quality, resolution, etc., and the commissioning results must meet the design requirements of the electron microscope laboratory.

Performance testing is carried out by a third-party testing agency or professional testing personnel, comprehensively testing the environmental parameters of the electron microscope laboratory (such as temperature, humidity, cleanliness, vibration, noise, magnetic field, electric field, etc.) and the performance indicators of the equipment, and issuing a test report. The test results should meet the design requirements and relevant standards to prove the construction quality of the electron microscope laboratory.

If problems are found during the acceptance process, they must be rectified promptly. After rectification, the acceptance process must be repeated until the electron microscope laboratory fully meets the requirements. Only after passing the acceptance inspection can it be delivered to the user.

IV. Precautions

Safety

Safety is the primary principle in the construction and operation of an electron microscope laboratory and must be given high priority.

Regarding electrical safety, the power supply system of the electron microscope laboratory must comply with national electrical regulations and be equipped with overload protection, short-circuit protection, and leakage protection devices. The power supply of the electron microscope and other equipment must be connected strictly according to the instructions to avoid overloading. Regularly inspect and maintain the power lines and equipment in the electron microscope laboratory to promptly identify and eliminate safety hazards.

Regarding chemical safety, various chemicals, such as strong acids, strong alkalis, and organic solvents, may be used during sample preparation. These chemicals must be stored according to their properties, with a dedicated chemical storage cabinet and appropriate protective equipment (such as fume hoods, protective gloves, and goggles). Laboratory personnel must strictly follow operating procedures to prevent chemical leaks and contact with skin and eyes, ensuring the safety of the electron microscope laboratory.

Equipment Installation

Equipment installation must be carried out strictly according to specifications to ensure the stability and accuracy of the equipment, which is of great significance to the normal operation of the electron microscope laboratory. The installation of the electron microscope must ensure that it is level and stable, avoiding vibration; effective shock absorption measures must be taken between the equipment and the base, such as installing shock absorption pads. During equipment installation, avoid collisions and squeezing of equipment to prevent damage and affect the use of the electron microscope laboratory.

After the equipment is installed, a comprehensive inspection and commissioning must be carried out to ensure that the performance indicators of the equipment meet the requirements. At the same time, equipment files must be established to record information on equipment installation, commissioning, and maintenance, providing a basis for the later management of electron microscope laboratory equipment.

The design and construction of an electron microscope laboratory is a complex system project involving multiple disciplines and professional fields, requiring a professional team for planning, design, construction, and acceptance. As a laboratory construction service provider, we have rich experience and professional technology, and can provide users with one-stop services ranging from pre-consultation, scheme design, equipment procurement, construction, to post-acceptance and technical training. We will strictly follow relevant standards and specifications, combined with the actual needs of users, to create a high-quality electron microscope laboratory, providing strong support for the smooth progress of scientific research work. If you have any needs for electron microscope laboratory construction, please feel free to contact us, and we will provide you with professional solutions and high-quality services.