Abstract: Methods for preparing imaging samples by applying a liquid or semiliquid substance to a substrate surface in order to mitigate the deleterious effects of vacuum and other conditions used for sample preparation, thereby preserving the structure of at least a portion of deposited samples. These methods are useful for MS-based electron microscopy (EM) sample preparation at room temperature, but are also applicable to other imaging methods. These methods also enable transmission electron microscopy (TEM) structural confirmation of ions passing through a mass spectrometer. Additionally, only entry-level negative staining techniques for TEM are required, making this technique much more widely available than cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM).

Abstract: A fixture device and method for uniformly and efficiently treating an article in a gaseous atmosphere. The fixture device provides a plurality of point contact support locations for supporting the article during the treatment. The fixture device and treatment method are especially useful in the plasma treatment of contact lenses to improve surface biocompatibility and hydrophilicity.