Microscopy is the science of using microscopes to magnify and visualize objects too small to be seen with the naked eye, such as cells, bacteria, tissues, and even nanoscale material structures. Using light, fluorescence, or electron-based imaging, microscopy reveals intricate details essential to biology, medicine, materials science, and many research fields.
The CMU Microscopy Facility gives students hands-on access to advanced imaging technologies right on campus. Whether you're studying cell structures, analyzing material samples, or working on an independent research project, this facility lets you explore the microscopic world with clarity and precision.
In the microscopy facility, you’ll work directly with state-of-the-art equipment, building valuable technical skills while deepening your understanding of complex scientific concepts. This experience prepares you for graduate programs, laboratory careers, and future opportunities in research-intensive fields.
From observing fine cellular structures to investigating physical properties of materials, the facility supports a wide range of academic and research needs. Students can apply microscopy techniques across disciplines including biology, biomedical sciences, chemistry, physics, and engineering.
If you're ready to explore what’s possible or want help getting started, CMU’s microscopy team is here to guide you. Experienced staff members offer training, research support, and one-on-one assistance to help you succeed at every stage of your project.
The Hitachi HT7700 STEM (Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope) is the newest instrument in the imaging facility.
It has a LaB6 emitter for a brighter beam, the EXALENS optional high-resolution lens, and does both transmission EM and scanning EM using a transmitted electron detector. The 7700 also has a Thermo-Noran System Seven energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometer with the silicon-drifter detector.
It can also do electron-beam diffraction for study of crystal lattices.
The NIKON A1R is the new scanning laser confocal light microscope (CLSM). It is based on a Nikon Eclipse inverted microscope, and has Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) optics. The A1R is the primary research confocal microscope.
This microscope uses a spectral detector for confocal scanning laser imaging, and also has a transmitted-light detector. Imaging capabilities include reflected-light confocal and transmitted-laser DIC imaging. It has 3 solid-state lasers and a dual-line argon gas laser, producing excitation lines at 403, 457/476, 488/514, 560, and 640 nm.
4X, 10X, multi-immersion 20X, 40X oil-immersion, 60X water-immersion, and 60X oil-immersion.
Students use our Olympus Fluoview 300 CLSM every day to learn confocal microscopy.
Our Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope is based on an Olympus BX50 upright microscope, and has Differential Interference Contrast optics and two extra-long working distance water immersion objectives on a special two position turret. A microinjection system for electrophysiological studies is also available.
This microscope is used in the Bio 553 Confocal Microscopy class. It uses three PMT detectors, two for epi-confocal imaging, and one for transmitted-light imaging. Imaging capabilities include reflected-light confocal and transmitted-laser DIC imaging. Argon 488 nm and He/Ne lasers are installed on the microscope.
4X, 10X, 20X, 60X Plan Apochromat DIC; 40X Plan Fluorite DIC; 20X Plan Fluorite Long Working Distance Phase; 20X and 40X Plan Fluorite Water-immersion DIC
Narishige hydraulic hanging joystick-controlled fine and coarse micromanipulators
The Hitachi 3400N-II has a tungsten filament electron gun with a large, motorized specimen chamber and has variable-pressure capability and an IR chamberscope. It is also equipped with a Deben cooling stage.
There are several detectors on this instrument: the usual secondary detector, a 5-element backscattered electron detector, an environmental secondary electron detector, a Thermo-Noran System Seven energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometer with a silicon-drift detector, and a Gatan color cathodoluminescence detector.
The imaging facility also has necessary specimen preparation equipment. We have Denton 502B carbon coater, an Anatech Hummer sputter coater, a SPI large-chamber critical-point dryer, and 2 RMC Powertome ultramicrotomes for producing thin sections for TEM.
Samples for viewing in microscopes, particularly biological samples, usually require special preparation methods. This is especially true of samples to be viewed in electron microscopes, where they must withstand high vacuums and bombardment with high-voltage electron beams.
These sample preparation methods typically use specialized instruments, available in the Imaging Facility:
Microscopes are sophisticated instruments that require periodic maintenance and cleaning. Dust, lint, pollen, dirt, and oil can cause a deterioration of image quality.
A few guidelines to follow:
Clean following the same procedure above in Oculars. Extreme care should be given to cleaning the objectives, and this should only be done by an experienced user.