The Advanced Microscopy Laboratory
AML
design of the laboratory and its purpose


The AML just completed, May 2004


Architects: Lord, Aeck and Sargent, Atlanta, Ga.
Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon, Knoxville, Tn.
Builder: Blaine Construction Company, Knoxville, Tn.
Why a new building?

 The Aberration Corrected Electron Microscope (ACEM) and several other microscopes being developed for ORNL will require a very special environment in order to reach their design resolution. Electromagnetic fields, mechanical vibration, noise, room temperature fluctuations, and barometric pressure changes all have the ability to degrade microscope performance. The ACEM, for example, will need to have ambient electromagnetic fields below 0.3 milligauss; nowhere in the existing HTML building is the field below 1 milligauss. The AML will be designed to minimize all potential deleterious environmental influences. The ACEM will be housed "room within a room," and will be operated from an adjoining control room. Thus there will be no operator with the instrument, which will minimze noise and thermal fluctuations.
AML building statistics

  • Size about 6,900 square foot floor space
  • Design and construction cost $4.8m
  • Single story over the instrument labs
  • Completed April 2004, in time for delivery of the ACEM
  • Will house two aberration corrected VG STEMs
  • House other selected microscopes that require optimal environmental conditions
  • Designed for remote instrument operation and virtual tours
Plan for the AML


Choose below for details on features that optimize microscope environment:
FeatureAddresses:
Building-within-building construction Outside noise,
external wind pressure,
temperature control.
Electrical power features Reduction of electromagnetic interference,
provide clean (sine wave) power,
minimize electrical ground loops.
Use of electrically insulated reinforcing bars, etc. Reduction of electromagnetic interference,
minimize electrical ground loops.
Instrument room air flow design Temperature control,
in-lab air turbulence,
air flow noise.
Instrument room general including sound control Through-wall sound transmission,
minimization of in-room sound.
Air supply for instrument rooms Temperature control,
minimization of in-room sound,
minimization of vibration.

Animation of construction images and individual images

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is operated by
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