Microscopes

Tender description

The NHM’s Core Research Laboratories (CRL) provide a centralised resource for collections-based research. Our current Alicona IFM G4 was purchased in 2006 and is at the end of its service life. We can meet our current objectives with the existing instrument but are prevented from advancing the scope of our research due to its limitations compared to the latest instrument. Projects and sample types that we are unable to examine with the current instrument include reflective and translucent materials (polished metal, some bone, teeth, shell, obsidian and wax objects, flint and stone tools) and we cannot examine objects with steep overhangs. Some projects require large areas to be examined. With the current system this takes too long to be a practical proposition. Purchase of a metrology microscope for archaeological research.