Services and Fee Structure
The Microscopy Center provides instrument access and, as a service, routine preparation of samples for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The Center operates as a recharge facility, as such there are hourly charge for instrument use, a per sample charge for specimen preparation and charges for consumables used during specimen preparation and microscopy. Users are welcome to supply their own consumables to avoid those charges. If specialized protocols are required they should be discussed with the Center staff prior to beginning specimen preparation. The fees listed are for internal UTK users only.
Service Request
Please fill out a Service Request Form and submit it with your samples.
Instrument Use
| Instrument | User Fee Unassisted Cost/Hr |
User Fee Assisted Cost/Hr |
| Nikon Optical Microscope | $10.00 | $35.00 |
| Nikon TIRF Optical Microscope | $35.00 | $60.00 |
| Leica Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope | $35.00 | $60.00 |
| Asylum Research Atomic Force Microscope | $30.00 | $55.00 |
| Leo 1525 Scanning Electron Microscope | $40.00 | $65.00 |
| Zeiss Auriga | NA | NA |
| Zeiss Libra | NA | NA |
| Preparation Equipment | $10.00 | $35.00 |
Fee Schedules
| Service | Assisted Fee | Materials Cost** |
| TEM Biological Standard sample preparation* | $150.00 | $25.00 |
| Ultra-microtomy and grid staining / sample | $35.00 | $1.50 |
| Ultra-microtomy only / sample | $25.00 | $1.50 |
| TEM Negative Staining / sample | $12.50 | $2.50 |
| SEM Biological Standard sample preperation* | $150.00 | $25.00 |
| AFM Cantilevers** / each | $40.00 |
*Cost for up to 4 samples submitted at the same time
**AC 160 or AC 240 Cantilevers only