Specimen Prep & 3D Printing

Our Specimen Preparation Lab is a space dedicated to the delicate processes necessary for the proper preparation of samples for electron microscopy and other imaging methods. The space also houses both wax and filament-based 3D printing tools which can be used to fabricate a wide variety of samples.

placeholder image
Mushroom spore. Imaged in VINSE facilities using the Zeiss Merlin Scanning Electron Microscope and coated using the Cressington Sputter Coater. (Jake Grayson, Haglund group, Physics & Astronomy)
Section Contents

Equipment

User Fees

  • 3D Printing
    • Prusa i3 mk3s (PLA/ABS/PETG): $4
    • Prusa i3 mk3s (FlexFill/Ninjaflex): $5
    • Prusa SL1 (tough resin): $5
    • Prusa SL1 (flexible resin): $6
    • BVOH support add on: $1
  • Coatings
    • Gold sputter deposit
      Vanderbilt personnel hourly rate: $10
      VUMC, Fisk, TSU and Meharry hourly rate: $10
      External universities & non-profit partners hourly rate: $11
      Industry and external for-profit partners hourly rate: $16
    • Parylene Coater
      Vanderbilt personnel hourly rate: $35
      VUMC, Fisk, TSU and Meharry hourly rate: $35
      External universities & non-profit partners hourly rate: $39
      Industry and external for-profit partners hourly rate: $65
  • Grinding and Polishing
    • Sand paper: $2
    • Polishing cloth: $10
    • Slurry: $10
    • Lapping film: $48
    • Diamond paste: $2
  • Professional Services

    VINSE offers staff support for users who wish to use the facilities remotely. VINSE professional staff are able to perform your measurements, imaging, and analysis in your absence for a service fee.

    Professional Staff Hourly Service Fees:

    • Internal: $50
    • External universities & non-profit partners hourly rate: $55
    • Industry and external for-profit partners hourly rate: $80
View All User Fees
Nikon Microscope
IC Chip, 100x polarized light. Imaged in VINSE facilities using the Nikon Eclipse LV100 microscope. (James McBride, VINSE)
Nikon Microscope
IC Chip, 10x. Imaged in VINSE facilities using the Nikon Eclipse LV100 microscope. (James McBride, VINSE)

Facility Details

The lab contains a gold sputter coater for SEM samples, a plasma cleaner for both SEM and TEM samples, and a grinding/polishing station with the associated consumables available. There is also an optical inspection microscope, an electrochemical etch station, 3D and wax printers available.  

3D Printing
3D Printed Object Top (left) and bottom (right) of partial part printed with multi material upgrade showing filament switching within single print layer.
3D Printing
Resolution test print in orange resin (left) and holder for paper microfluidic cartridge in clear resin (right)

Instrumentation & Tours

See All Instrumentation

If you're looking for a specific tool, chances are we can provide it.

Tour Our Facilities

We offer guided, self-guided, and virtual tours of our facilities.