3DCryoHolder: a new open access 3D printable system to store and transport silicon nitride membranes under cryogenic conditions for spectromicroscopy at low temperature.

Abstract

Data acquisition under cryogenic conditions allows one to avoid unwanted damage caused by beam irradiation. This is particularly important for the study of biological samples at hard X-ray, micro- or nano-probe beamlines, which focus synchrotron radiation to small beam sizes with extremely high flux densities. Sample preparation methods for cryopreserved specimens have been adapted from electron microscopy, and include the use of silicon nitride membranes as they are easy to handle and possess low X-ray absorption. Yet, currently there are no commercially available methods for the storage and transport of silicon nitride membranes under cryogenic conditions. Here, we introduce and provide the design files of 3DCryoHolder, a system that can be 3D printed in-house for the correct storage and transport of multiple silicon nitride membranes under cryogenic conditions, and is compatible with all commercial plunge-freezing instruments.