INVITATION TO TENDER (ITT) FOR A CRYOSUITCASE

Tender description

We run the National XPS service for the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) with our main laboratory based in the Harwell science park and research “spokes” in Cardiff, UCL and Manchester Universities. We are developing our service to include the analysis of cryogenically cooled samples prepared in a glove box or under vacuum. We require one vacuum “cryosuitcase” capable of evacuating the inert atmosphere and transporting samples from an M. Braun, “Unilab plus” glove box to the sample magazine on a Kratos Axis Supra XP spectrometer whilst maintaining the samples at cryogenic temperatures.The cyrosuitcase must:• maintain full functionality under its own power for a minimum of 6 hours.• achieve a minimum temperature during transfer of 200K• maintain the minimum temperature for at least four hours during transfer• maintain a vacuum of < 10-8 mbar for at least 6 hours during transfer• fit into, or interface with the main ante chamber of a M. Braun, “Unilab plus” glovebox (ante chamber dimensions: 390D x 600L (mm))• have a minimum 12 month manufacturer’s guarantee.