MicroTools assortment box

MicroMounts™ are the best tools for manipulating and mounting protein crystals, virus crystals, small molecule/inorganic crystals, and many other small, delicate materials. They are suitable for both traditional and high-throughput X-ray crystallography.

MicroMounts™ are made up of a thin (7.5m thick) micro-fabricated polyimide sheet that is connected to a solid non-magnetic stainless steel pin. Wrapped film around a steel pin provides great rigidity and a simple scoop-like motion while recovering and manipulating crystals.

Film Pattern:

Aperture (A) sizes range from 10 to 600m, with minimum (B) width surrounding the aperture to reduce background scatter in all orientations.

Wicking Hole (C) is linked to the crystal aperture through drainage channel D. The hole size is suitable for size 15 or XF paper wicks. This 'fountain-pen' shape enables for simpler evacuation of excess liquid without the wick coming into contact with the crystals.

Alignment cross (E) positioned a predetermined distance from the crystal aperture's centre. Allow for simple automatic crystal aperture alignment (A).

The crystal aperture size code (F) surrounding the alignment cross enables automatic detection of Mount design, aperture, and crystal size, which defines aperture limits (to be avoided), needed alignment tolerance, and crystal area accessible to be scanned for optimal diffraction. The initial beam size may then be chosen automatically.

The aperture size (G) in millimetres may be read straight from the mount.

The orientation mark (H) distinguishes the front and rear of the mount automatically.

Pins are made of solid 316 non-magnetic stainless steel. The usual lengths of the pin are 11 mm, 19 mm, 25 mm, and SPINE. The pin lengths of 11, 19, and 25 mm provide pin base-to-crystal centre distances that are compatible with nylon loops installed on 10, 18, and 24 mm pins, respectively.

This solid pin will not absorb crystals or liquids. The pin is bevelled at the film end, allowing for clear view of the crystals during crystal retrieval over a broad variety of pin orientations. Pin may be cut to any length (with cutting pliers) or bent to put crystal in desired orientation. Pin is compatible with all standard bases.

Features:

• Easy manipulating and mounting of crystals from 700µm to less than 5µm.
• Rigid yet thin construction
• Convenient scoop-like design
• Gold hue – good mount crystal contrast
• Ideal for use at microfocus beamlines
• Completely non-magnetic
• Complete optimization of cryoprotection and flash cooling
• Low Thermal mass – rapid cooling
• Crystal aperture can be matched to crystal size and shape
• Easy removal of excess liquid
• Fully compatible with existing crystal mounting hardware

Assortment boxes:

We recommend obtaining any variety apertures listed below first so that you may match the quantity aperture to the size of your crystal. Then you order the most often used size. Pin lengths range from 11, 19, 25, and SPINE. These pin pins may be cut to length (with cutter pliers) or bent to your chosen orientation.

• Small (A1), includes: 10, 20, 30 and 40 µm apertures
• Medium (A2), includes: 75, 150, and 200 µm apertures.