Talos 12 TEM: Versatile 120kV Electron Microscopy

A 120 kV transmission electron microscope (TEM) uses an electron beam accelerated to 120 kilovolts to image samples at nanometer-scale resolution. Electrons pass through thin specimens, revealing ultrastructural details that cannot be observed with light microscopy. 120 kV TEMs are widely used for biological imaging, pathology, structural biology, nanoparticle characterization, and materials research because they provide high-resolution imaging while supporting a broad range of sample types and workflows.

The Talos 12 TEM builds on earlier 120 kV TEM platforms by combining improved mechanical, optical, and electronic stability with modern automation and workflow integration. Key enhancements include a compact footprint, improved accessibility, oil-free vacuum technology, complete digital hardware control, remote operation capabilities, motorized apertures, workflow-based software, integrated detectors, and a constant-power objective lens designed to minimize drift and improve imaging stability. These improvements help researchers achieve high-quality results more efficiently across a broader range of applications.

The Talos 12 TEM is designed to support a broad range of research applications from a single platform. These include cellular and tissue imaging, pathology, structural biology, cryo-EM sample optimization, single particle analysis, room-temperature and cryogenic tomography, correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM), nanoparticle characterization, STEM imaging, and elemental analysis using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Its multidisciplinary design makes it well suited for core facilities and research laboratories supporting diverse user communities. 

Yes. The Talos 12 TEM was designed with shared-resource laboratories and core facilities in mind. Automated alignments, workflow-based software, integrated detectors, and guided imaging workflows help users of varying experience levels achieve consistent results. Its multidisciplinary capabilities allow facilities to support a wide range of research programs using a single instrument platform.

Yes. The Talos 12 TEM features complete digital control of microscope hardware and supports remote operation workflows. Integrated software, digital controls, motorized apertures, and SmartCam functionality enable researchers and facility staff to monitor and operate the system remotely while maintaining efficient access to imaging workflows and data. 

The Talos 12 TEM was designed to fit into more laboratory environments than previous-generation systems. Depending on the configuration, installation footprints can be as small as approximately 8.4 m², with larger configurations requiring approximately 10.4 m². The redesigned architecture, smaller footprint, and simplified installation pathway help laboratories maximize available space while maintaining advanced TEM capabilities. 

The Talos 12 TEM is supported by an integrated software ecosystem that includes Thermo Scientific Velox Software for microscope control and data acquisition, Thermo Scientific Maps 3 Software for large-area and correlative imaging workflows, Thermo Scientific EPU Software for automated cryo-EM acquisition, Thermo Scientific Tomography 5 Software for tilt-series collection, and Thermo Scientific Amira Software for advanced visualization and analysis. Together, these software tools support data acquisition, analysis, collaboration, and workflow automation. 

Yes. The Talos 12 TEM is designed to support pathology research workflows through automated imaging, large-area mapping, contextual navigation, and streamlined project review. The system enables researchers to investigate ultrastructural features such as glomerular basement membrane thickness, immune deposits, podocyte morphology, and other tissue structures. Integrated Thermo Scientific Maps 3 Software helps users move efficiently from whole-section overviews to high-resolution imaging of regions of interest. 

Yes. The Talos 12 TEM supports both room-temperature and cryogenic tomography workflows. Combined with Thermo Scientific Tomography 5 Software, the system can acquire tilt series for 3D reconstruction. Researchers can investigate cellular architecture, macromolecular assemblies, membrane structures, and other complex biological specimens in three dimensions with segmentation and visualization powered by Thermo Scientific Amira Software.

Yes. The Talos 12 TEM can be configured for scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) imaging. Optional STEM detectors support bright-field (BF), dark-field (DF), and high-angle annular dark-field (HAADF) imaging modes, enabling researchers to investigate material composition, morphology, and nanoscale structure with enhanced analytical capabilities. 

Yes. The Talos 12 TEM can be configured with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) detector for elemental analysis. EDS enables researchers to identify and map elemental distributions within biological and materials samples, providing additional compositional information alongside structural imaging. Combining TEM, STEM, and EDS allows users to correlate morphology with chemical composition. 

Yes. The Talos 12 TEM supports cryo-electron microscopy workflows including cryo-EM sample screening, cryogenic tomography, and single particle analysis. The system can be configured with low-dose detectors such as the Ceta-F camera and optionally the Thermo Scientific Falcon C Direct Electron Detector, which is optimized for cryo-EM imaging. Automated workflows and integrated software help researchers evaluate sample quality before moving to high-end data collection systems. 

The Talos 12 TEM helps researchers optimize cryo-EM samples before collecting large datasets on higher-end cryo-EM systems. Researchers can evaluate ice quality, particle distribution, particle concentration, sample behavior, and grid preparation conditions. Early sample optimization can improve throughput, reduce instrument time, lower project costs, and increase the likelihood of successful structure determination.

Yes. The Talos 12 TEM supports nanoparticle characterization workflows for applications such as lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), gene therapy delivery systems, vaccines, and other nanomaterials. Automated acquisition software can generate large datasets for statistically significant analysis, while AI-powered segmentation workflows powered by Thermo Scientific Amira Software can accelerate particle classification and measurement of attributes such as size, shape, lamellarity, and polydispersity.