MicroGripper

MicroGripper™ provide a new approach to retrieving and mounting samples. They can be used in two different ways. Slide the tip under your sample, and the long thin flexible fingers provide the most delicate support possible. They are ideal for thin plates and other very fragile samples.

Alternatively, push the tip down onto a “chunky” sample, and the fingers will delicately grip it without damaging it (yes, even for protein and virus crystals), holding it firmly in place. This positive gripping action is unique: all other mounting tools rely on liquid surface tension and adhesion forces to hold a sample in place. Microgrippers allow “dry” samples to be mounted without the use of adhesives.

Microgrippers are ideal for X-ray data collection at and near room temperature. They eliminate the slipping during data collection that occurs when crystals are mounted in X-ray capillaries, and eliminate the need to encase the sample in viscous oils to limit this slipping.

Use MicroGrippers with our MicroRT capallaries and goniometer bases for easy and foolproof room-temperature X-ray data collection. Mount and ship your room temperature samples to the synchrotron for examination with little risk of sample loss.

The polymer tips are attached to beveled non-magnetic 0.025" (0.64 mm) diameter stainless steel rods. Compatible with all standard X-ray hardware, and can be inserted in 0.7 mm mechanical pencils for easy handling.

Designs

MicroGrippers are currently available with 50, 100, 200 and 300 μm apertures. Please contact us if you would like custom sizes or designs.

Please allow up to 2 weeks for pin lengths of 11, 19 and 25 mm lengths.