DIY Scanning Electron Microscope

Science

We’ve covered Ben Krasnow’s awesome work here before. At last year’s Maker Faire, he showed off his liquid nitrogen generator (for which he won at least one Editor’s Blue Ribbon). Now he’s posted to his blog this latest project, a working DIY scanning electron microscope! It’s been months of work to get the scope together and to get a picture out of it, but he’s done it. Now he’s going to work on improving image resolution, and reducing noise. Congrats on this, Ben. Really impressive job. [Thanks, Robert Bruce Thompson!]

DIY scanning electron microscope

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DIY liquid nitrogen generator

7 thoughts on “DIY Scanning Electron Microscope

  1. Jafar says:

    I don’t understand what would you use it for.

  2. Ronald Daley says:

    Just doing a search in what it takes to make a scanning electron Microscope. Thanks for posting the video. I’m 15 miles north of Boston MA.

  3. Robert Myklebust says:

    I have worked with electron beam instruments for 30 years. You should be aware that these instruments generate some high energy x-rays and the sample chamber should be shielded. Glass is not enough. For some targets you will need lead. Also, the hose from your mechanical pump is too small and too long for quickly getting a good vacuum. But otherwise a good job.

  4. CJ says:

    This project is very impressive, what current level is going to the electron gun? I would love to see an instructional video on this.

    Also what equipment is in the rack?

  5. Imaging – The New Frontier? « Homolog.us – Bioinformatics says:

    […] A Homemade, Open-Source Scanning Tunneling Electron Microscope […]

  6. Laser Scanning Microscope | Home says:

    […] DIY Scanning Electron Microscope | Make: … – Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY … […]

  7. Walter Hynson says:

    Check “the amateur scientists,CL Strong,from Scientific America,the entire plan is in there,exactly like yours

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Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

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