PELCO easiGlow™ Glow Discharge Cleaning System

Optimized for cleaning TEM grids

For one of the most common glow discharge applications, making TEM support films or grids hydrophilic using air, the PELCO easiGlow™ uses an automated and quick cycle with fully selectable parameters. The microprocessor controlled system also offers full manual control for all parameters and an advanced protocol programming feature for custom designed glow discharge applications. Parameters and protocols can be stored to facilitate consistent glow discharge results. Open the shipping box, plug it in, and you can start.

The PELCO easiGlow™ Glow Discharge Cleaning System is a compact, quick and easy to use standalone system. It is primarily designed for cleaning TEM grids and hydrophilization of TEM carbon support films, which have the tendency to be hydrophobic. A glow discharge treatment with air will make a carbon film surface negatively charged (hydrophilic) which allows aqueous solutions to spread easily. Manufactured in USA.

With increasingly demanding imaging applications, using clean and consistent quality TEM grids and supports has become more important than ever. Glow discharge treatment of TEM grids removes adsorbed hydro carbons, cleaning them while making them hydrophilic. The PELCO easiGlow™ is an affordable and easy to operate glow discharge system for any TEM lab.

The practical chamber size with its newly designed glow discharge head and adjustable stage with glass slide holder allows for easy loading and fast turnaround times. The system is fully microprocessor controlled and includes an intelligent touch screen device for control and display of operation parameters. The PELCO easiGlow™ supports both hydrophilic and hydrophobic treatment with either negative or positive charge and includes two separately controlled gas inlets. The required vacuum level is set by an electronically controlled precision proportional valve. This novel approach eliminates manual setting with a needle valve. A gentle venting procedure ensures that the TEM grids are not disturbed when the system is vented.

Glow Discharge Methods Supported

Surface Condition Charge Atmosphere
Hydrophilic Negative Air
Hydrophilic Positive Air (with subsequent magnesium Acetate treatment)
Hydrophobic Positive Amylamine (Pentylamine)
Hydrophobic Negative Methanol

Reference for glow discharge and use of amylamine to obtain Hydrophobic; positively charged surfaces: Hayat, M.A.2000. Principles and Techniques of Electron Microscopy Biological Applications, page 237-241. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 052163287


Reference for glow discharge and use of subsequent Magnesium Acetate treatment to obtain Hydrophylic; charged surfaces: Portmann, R., and Koller, Th. 1976. The divalent cation method for protein-free spreading of nucleic acid molecules. In Proceedings of the 6th European Congress on Electron Microscopy, Vol.2, p546.

Please see below for Full List of Features and Specifications

PELCO easiGlow™

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