- Physical Sciences
Sérgio Henrique Faria, Lab Director, Patricia Muñoz, Lab Manager | izotzalab@bc3research.org
IzotzaLab is BC3’s specialized low-temperature facility for studying the physics and chemistry of cold samples, including ice, snow, permafrost, and more. Unique in the Iberian Peninsula, it operates at temperatures as low as -30°C. The lab features a cutting-edge cold room with advanced instruments and remote control options, allowing precise analysis and experimentation of diverse materials.
Mission
To offer researchers the opportunity to investigate the physics and chemistry of geological, biological, and engineering materials and samples at freezing temperatures, without the need of cumbersome cryostages or environmental chambers.
Vision
To attract leading experts in low-temperature sciences, including glaciology, cryobiology, Earth and planetary sciences, materials science, engineering, and other disciplines, to perform cutting-edge research in the Basque Country, therefore enhancing international collaboration among top-rank scientists and laboratories.
Sede Building 1, 1st floor
Scientific Campus of the University of the Basque Country
48940 Leioa (Spain)
Facilities & Equipment
- Workspaces:
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Main cold room
The cold room supports sample preparation and experiments at stable temperatures from -5 °C to -30 °C and humidities from 25% to 90%. Equipped with safety features (alarms, emergency exit, air quality sensors), it is accessed through a small anteroom to prevent abrupt temperature and humidity changes.
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Control room and workstation
The control room has a panoramic window overlooking the cold room and a workstation for monitoring sensors and alarms (O2, CO2 levels) and remotely controlling lab equipment (cameras, microscopes, etc.). It uses an HP Z4G4 graphics workstation with Intel Xeon and NVIDIA Quadro K620 for controlling the automated DM6M microscope and analyzing captured images. LAS X software and a 3D joystick for the DM6M’s stage are also installed.
- Microscopes:
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Fully automated microscope
IzotzaLab’s fully automated Leica DM6M microscope, customized for low-temperature conditions, provides high accuracy, reproducibility, and comfort. It features a computer-controlled 6-fold objective nosepiece, a large 3D scanning stage, and multiple microscopy modes, including bright- and dark-field, polarization, fluorescence, and phase contrast.
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Manual microscope
IzotzaLab’s portable optical microscope, a hybrid of the Leica DM750M and DM4/DM6 series combines the robustness and simplicity of the DM750 with the high-quality optics of top-tier models, offering portability without compromising image quality.
- Sample preparation tools:
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Band saw
The first step in sample preparation is cutting the material into suitable shapes. For this, we use the Metabo BAS 318 Precision band saw, which provides high cutting precision and two working speeds, along with a vacuum cleaner to remove any cutting residue.
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Microtome
For fine sample surface preparation, we use the Leitz 1400 Slide Sledge Base Microtome with a Feather system of disposable blades, ensuring consistently sharp cuts and optimal surface quality.
- Sample storage:
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Ultra-low temperature
Innova® C585 chest freezer (585 L, −80 °C) and Innova®, Green ‘G’ and CryoCube 740 series, (‘narrow’) CO2 backup system.
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Very low temperature
Equitec EHFS 400/80 chest freezer (368 L, 400 W, −50 °C).
