ANSTO electron microscopy building
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Date
2015-02-12
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Publisher
Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Society
Abstract
Modern scanning and transmission electron microscopes are capable of extremely high-resolution performance. However, they must be installed in suitable laboratory environments to achieve their design specifications [1, 2]. Existing electron microscopy facilities at ANSTO are housed in a ~60 year old general-purpose building. The laboratory environment in which they are currently located compromises their performance due to external influences such as stray electromagnetic fields, acoustic and mechanical vibrations, high airflow, and excessive cooling water and air temperature variations. A building specifically designed and constructed to provide the optimum environment is nearing completion and will allow ANSTO’s considerable investment in electron microscopes to operate at their full potential thereby maximising their scientific impact. The facility will be suitable for future new generation high-end electron microscopes when current instruments are replaced over coming years. Consultation with staff at a number of similar facilities identified key design features required to optimise the instrument laboratory environment. These include independent vibration isolated ~1m thick fibre-reinforced concrete slabs for each laboratory, chilled ceiling panels for low air flow precision temperature control, minimal use of metal in the main building and location of air conditioning, electrical, chilled water and compressed gas facilities in a separate plant room. Laminated wooden portal frames support the outer structure of the main building. Instrument labs are constructed from concrete Besser blocks reinforced with fibreglass rod, which are also used to reinforce the corridor slabs. The building is divided into separate zones (Fig. 1) ranging from lowest environmental specifications in the entrance foyer/office area (orange), through progressively higher specifications in the service corridors, specimen preparation lab and air locks (yellow) to the most stringent specification in instrument labs (blue). Electrical wiring distribution is designed to minimise electromagnetic fields at the microscope column positions within each of the labs. Active field compensation is not being installed initially, however it can be retrofitted should the need arise. Construction is well advanced (Fig. 2) and should be completed by the end of February 2015. Relocation of the instruments is anticipated by the end of June 2015.
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Keywords
Electron microscopy, Construction, ANSTO, Australia, Buildings, Concrete blocks, Ceilings, Design
Citation
Blackford, M. ANSTO electron microscopy building. Paper presented at AMAS XIII : the 13th Biennial Australian Microbeam Analysis Symposium, University of Tasmania, Hobart, 9-13 February, 2015. In Goemann, K., Danyushevsky, L. & Thompson, J. (Eds), AMAS XIII : the 13th Biennial Australian Microbeam Analysis Symposium : program and abstracts, (pp. 100-101).