Integrated Electron Microscopy Laboratory

The DLSU IEM laboratory is a full-service laboratory offered by the Central Instrumentation Facility under the office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation. This laboratory operates a JSM IT500HR/LA Schottky tip Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), JEM2100 Plus Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) with Scanning TEM, and X-Ray Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS). It also houses a JIB-4000 Plus Single Beam-Focus Ion Beam (FIB), capable of fabricating a 60nm lamella for TEM preparation. It is located at the George Ty Central Instrumentation Facility at DLSU Laguna Campus in Biñan, Laguna. 

The facility offers these analytical services and accepts samples from DLSU researchers and outside clients (academe, government, and industry) with minimal fees

Model: JEM 2100 Plus TEM with EDS
Resolution: 0.14nm (UHR mode); 0.23 nm (HR mode)
Magnification: Low Mag Mode = x30 to x6,000 & Mag Mode = x2,000 to x1,500,000
EDS Analysis capabilities: Line, Mapping, Point

Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Mode (STEM)
  • Bright Field
  • Dark High Angular Annular Dark Field (HAADF) Imaging Field

Electron Diffraction Mode

  • Electron Diffraction Imaging
  • Convergent Beam Nano Diffraction (CBD)
  • Selected Area Diffraction (SAED)

Other Equipment:

  • Dry Pumping Multi Station: JII-29080DMS

JEM-2100 Plus

Model: JEOL JSM IT500HR/LA Schottky Field Emission SEM
Resolution: 1.5nm at 30 kV High Vacuum Mode & 
1.8nm at15 kV at Low Vacuum Mode (for biological and cryogen-preserved samples)
Magnification: x5 to x600,000 (sample dependent)
EDS analysis capabilities:  Line, Point, Mapping

Other equipment:
  • Drying oven: 30°C – 250°C
  • Auto Fine Coater: JEC-3000 FC

JSM-IT500HR

Model: LEICA EM UC 7 & LEICA EM KMR3 Glass Knife Maker
  • Ultramicrotome for fabricating ‘ribbons’ up to 60nm

Leica EM UC7 & LEICA EM KMR3

Model: JIB 4000 Plus Single Beam Focus Ion Beam (FIB) 
  • Gallium Metal Ion source
  • Different types of milling
  • Special software for lamella fabrication

JIB-4000 Plus

  • High magnification imaging of inorganic/organic samples (up to x50,000)
  • Sputter coating of non-conductive samples for imaging using Pt or Au-Pd target.
  • Certificate of Services Performed and Analysis Report (with Additional Fee)
  • Elemental identification using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS): One shot point/area, line, mapping

The following is a list of the updated pricing per service. (Note: SEM analysis is charged per image, and TEM analysis is charged per sample)

Scanning Electron Microscope Imaging

Analysis Type DLSP System Users External Users

(Academic Institutions)

External Users

(Government Institutions)

External Users

(Industry/Commercial)

SEM SEM (image only) PHP 780.00 PHP 880.00 PHP 950.00 PHP 1,100.00
SEM-EDS PHP 1,400.00 PHP 1,500.00 PHP 1,700.00 PHP 2,000.00
Additional EDS only PHP 700.00 PHP 900.00 PHP 900.00 PHP 1,200.00
Sputter Coat PHP 600.00 PHP 600.00 PHP 600.00 PHP 900.00

Transmission Electron Microscope Imaging

Analysis Type DLSP System Users External Users

(Academic Institutions)

External Users

(Government Institutions)

External Users

(Industry/Commercial)

TEM TEM (image only) PHP 4,200.00 PHP 5,000.00 PHP 5,400.00 PHP 6,000.00
TEM-EDS PHP 5,200.00 PHP 6,000.00 PHP 6,300.00 PHP 7,000.00
Sample Preparation PHP 1,500.00 PHP 1,500.00 PHP 1,500.00 PHP 1,500.00
Microtome Preparation PHP 5,100.00 PHP 5,900.00 PHP 6,400.00 PHP 6,400.00
TEM + Microtome PHP 9,400.00 PHP 11,600.00 PHP 12,500.00 PHP 13,500.00
TEM/EDS + Microtome PHP 10,400.00 PHP 12,800.00 PHP 13,700.00 PHP 14,900.00
TEM + FIB Lamella PHP 8,300.00 PHP 10,200.00 PHP 11,000.00 PHP 11,900.00
TEM/EDS + FIB Lamella PHP 9,200.00 PHP 11,400.00 PHP 12,200.00 PHP 13,200.00

Focused Ion Beam

Analysis Type DLSP System Users External Users

(Academic Institutions)

External Users

(Government Institutions)

External Users

(Industry/Commercial)

FIB FIB PHP 2,200.00 PHP 2,700.00 PHP 2,900.00 PHP 3,100.00
FIB Cross-Section (Full) PHP 4,600.00 PHP 5,700.00 PHP 6,100.00 PHP 6,600.00
FIB Lamella Preparation PHP 4,000.00 PHP 5,000.00 PHP 5,400.00 PHP 5,800.00

Rush analysis fee: 

  • The rush analysis is charged an additional + 70% of the analysis cost
  • Samples with 20 pieces or more would be charged +100%

Optional Services: Live analysis via Zoom = PHP 500.00/hour


We also provide an Analysis Report and Certificate of Services Performed as optional services with the following prices:

Item DLSP System Users External Users

(Academic Institutions)

External Users

(Government Institutions)

External Users

(Industry/Commercial)

Analysis Report PHP 900.00 PHP 1,500.00 PHP 2,000.00 PHP 2,500.00
Certificate of Services Performed PHP 200.00 PHP 500.00 PHP 500.00 PHP 1,000.00

Step 1. Fill out  the test request form and send it to [email protected] (Note: Incomplete forms will not be entertained.)

Step 2. Once the analysis form is received, it will be assessed if the request is doable.

Step 3. If the request is doable, an official quotation to be followed by a billing statement will be sent to the requestor.

Step 4. Payment instructions are indicated in the billing statement. (Note: In-person payment to the DLSU-Laguna Accounting Office guarantees the same-day release of OR, while Bank transfer is 1-3 months.)

Step 5. After the payment has been made, only then can the requestor send their samples using the details provided:

IEM Laboratory (attn. Dr. Jose M. Esmeria Jr)
Central Instrumentation Facility 
GT Building Room 103
DLSU - Laguna Campus, 
LTI Spine Rd., Laguna Blvd., Brgy. Biñan and Malamig
City of Biñan, 4024, Laguna 
Philippines
Phone no.: +639312042430

(Note: The sender’s name should be the requestor for traceability purposes.)

Step 5. Results will be sent via email, and sample retrieval will only be allowed within eight working days after the release of results.

What is the maximum size of sample that can accommodated? 
The maximum size is 10mm in diameter by 10mm in height.
Can you accommodate liquid samples for SEM-EDS? 
No, because of the vacuum nature of the SEM chamber, which is suitable only for solid samples. However, the non-volatile residue of the liquid solution (dried) can be analyzed.
What type of sample do you accommodate for TEM-EDS? 
Only liquid samples are accommodated for TEM analysis. It may be nanoparticles dispersed in a solution.
Do you accept bacteria/virus samples for TEM-EDS? 
Yes, but it should be fixed and deactivated before sending it to our laboratory.
Do you provide analysis and service reports? 
Yes, at an additional fee. 
What is the average turn-around time for SEM-EDS? 
The turn-around is 1 - 4 weeks upon receipt, depending on the number of samples and the volume of job orders in the laboratory. 
What is the average turn-around time for TEM-EDS? 
The turn-around is 2 weeks - 1.5 months upon receipt, depending on the number of samples and the volume of job orders in the laboratory. 
Do you offer rush analysis? 
Yes, but depending on the number of samples and client lineup. We charge twice the publish rate per image for rush samples. 
Can we submit a live specimen? 
No, it has to be inanimate since the sample may need to be sputter-coated (Pt or Au-Pd) to obtain an acceptable image.
What sample amount is suitable for analysis? 
For liquid samples, 5 mL of solution is enough for both SEM and TEM analysis. While for SEM of powder samples, 5 mg is enough.
Do you accept purchase order (PO) and terms of payment? 
No, we only accept cash/cheque deposits at the moment. 
Do you accommodate and test samples on weekends and holidays? 
Operating days of the laboratory are from Mon to Fri (8 am to 5 pm) and Sat (8 am to 12 noon) only. The laboratory is closed during holidays.
Do you accommodate walk-in clients in the IEM lab? 
We discourage walk-in clients for testing. However, optional services like live Zoom analysis are charged at PHP 500/hr.
Do you have a preferred courier? 
We do not have a preferred courier, as long as the samples are secured during transport.

Contact Us

Integrated Electron Microscopy (IEM) Laboratory
Central Instrumentation Facility
103 George Ty (GT) Building
De La Salle University Laguna Campus
Laguna Boulevard, LTI Spine Road, Barangays Biñan and Malamig, Biñan, Laguna

E-mail: [email protected]