Manual Ice Removal Tool

High quality single crystal x-ray diffraction data collection is often impaired by ice rings. In the majority of the cases it is surface attached ice which may be removed by mechanical manipulation as described in this document.  (Automated sample washing with the Stanford Automated Mounter may also be used to remove surface ice.)

The nylon-loop tool (shown in the figure below) may be used to mechanically remove ice from a sample loop with very little air disturbance around the sample.  This tool is stored in the beam line tool board on top of a thin paint brush.

Usage Instructions:

1. The easiest way to remove ice is to use the side of the loop and shave away any surface ice. (This is similar to how one would use a brush or whisker.)

 

2. Another possible way to remove ice is to lasso the sample loop with the larger loop-tool.

Manufacturing Directions:

The ice removal tool is made by gluing a 1 mm Hampton Research cryo-loop to a 200 or 1000 micro-liter pipet tip.  (Larger loop sizes work best. Epoxy is recommended for best loop adhesion.)

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