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University of Sydney and Tescan Explore New Frontiers in TEM Sample Preparation

Written by TCN admin | Sep 24, 2025 8:51:25 AM

At Tescan, we are always looking for ways to bring the latest thinking and real-world applications directly to the scientific community. Recently, we partnered with the University of Sydney’s Microscopy & Microanalysis facility for a live webinar that showcased how the Tescan Amber X 2 Plasma FIB-SEM is transforming TEM sample preparation

The event brought together Felix Theska from the University of Sydney and Martin Slama from Tescan. Both shared their expertise and practical experience in tackling the challenges that materials scientists and microscopists face every day. 

The Challenges in TEM Sample Preparation 

Preparing TEM lamellae for advanced materials analysis is a task where precision, reproducibility, and throughput must work hand in hand. Traditional workflows often force researchers to choose between speed and quality, or to rely on multiple instruments for different stages of preparation. This creates inefficiencies that slow research progress and can limit the number of samples processed

How the Amber X 2 Delivers 

The Tescan Amber X 2 is designed to eliminate that trade-off. Powered by Mistral™ plasma FIB technology, it delivers both high-volume 3D characterization and high-precision TEM sample preparation on a single, versatile platform. 

During the webinar, attendees saw how the Amber X 2 enables: 

  • Effective use of new plasma FIB-SEM for TEM sample preparation, enabling high-resolution (S)TEM analysis. Reproducible TEM lamella creation that meets the demands of scientific researchers  on multiple materials 

  • TEM samples of high quality with minimum damage were prepared with ease using the new plasma FIB-SEM technology. Filip Theska highlighted how the capabilities of the new  AMBER X 2   have been used  and leveraged at the University of Sydney, while Martin Slama explained the technological advancement of the new Mistral technology. 

A Broader Impact for the Scientific Community 

The discussion was not only about instrument features but also about enabling researchers to meet growing demands in materials science. For labs that need both speed and quality in their results, the Amber X 2 offers a unique solution that bridges the gap between large volume characterization and TEM sample preparation. 

Why It Matters for Your Work 

Whether you work in academic research, industrial R&D, or commercial QA, having a platform that can handle both high data throughput and precise sample preparation is a game-changer. The Amber X 2 is designed to streamline your workflow and improve repeatability.  

Next Steps 

If you missed the webinar, you can watch it on demand to see the full presentation and Q&A session. 

In summary, the collaboration between the University of Sydney and Tescan demonstrated the real-world value of combining advanced plasma FIB technology with flexible workflows. The Amber X 2 is not just an instrument. It is a platform for accelerating discovery. 

About Sydney Microscopy & Microanalysis

Sydney Microscopy & Microanalysis (SMM) is the University of Sydney’s core research facility for advanced imaging and analysis, providing access to electron and light microscopy, X-ray and atom probe tomography, and a wide range of sample preparation techniques. Located across several sites on the Camperdown campus, SMM supports both academic and industry users with state-of-the-art instrumentation and expert training, enabling research across materials science, life sciences, engineering, and medicine.