The supply of a Carbon Coater for Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

Contract summary

Industry

• Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) - 38000000

Location of contract

South West

Value of contract

£0 to £40,000

Procurement reference

20170606093748-53042

Published date

6 June 2017

Closing date

17 May 2017

Contract start date

22 May 2017

Contract end date

21 May 2018

Contract type

Supply contract

Procedure type

Not applicable

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

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Description

Carbon films are used in electron microscopy as they enable the imaging of samples on grids. They are transparent to the electron beam but are also conductive, thermostable and produce a low background signal. This enables the samples (in this case proteins or other small molecules) to stick and be evenly distributed on the grids. Our research is in the field of cryo-electron microscopy, specifically the structure and function of membrane-embedded protein transporters. Samples are prepared in the wet laboratory and screened in the electron microscope on negatively-stained carbon coated grids for purity and homogeneity.

We wish to purchase a Carbon Coater that can produce carbon coated grids which have to be produced quickly and with differing thickness, to identify the best conditions for each type of sample. This requirement means that carbon coating needs to be performed several times a week with a dedicated and fast automated system, capable of specifically setting the thickness of the carbon layer required. It should be possible to customise, store and export programmes, allowing versatility and reproducibility. Due to space restrictions, the machine should also be a small bench-top version rather than a large free-standing system. The system should also be modular, so that additional devices such as sputter coaters or cryo-modules can be added later.

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More information

Links

• https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=19832&B=EXETER
• Tender notice
• Applicants need to register their interest on the University of Exeter's electronic tendering System link above. The procurement exercise is completely managed via this system.Registration is free of charge to potential suppliers.

• https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/53042
• Tender notice
• To access documents please follow the link above

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Award information

Awarded date

22 May 2017

Contract start date

9 June 2017

Contract end date

8 June 2021

Total value of contract

£37,906

This contract was awarded to 1 supplier.

Leica Microsystems UK Ltd

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About the buyer

Contact name

Leah Jones

Address

Northcote House
Exeter
EX4 4QH
ENG

Telephone

+44 1392723757

Email

l.jones@exeter.ac.uk

Website

www.exeter.ac.uk