Materials: uranyl acetate powder (Electron Microscopy Sciences, depleted uranium, Cat # 22400), 150 to 200 ml capacity amber bottle with cover, plastic transfer pipet, razor blade, top loading balance, graduated cylinder with 100 ml of 2X distilled water, sonicator, Parafilm, Ludlum Model 3 Survey Meter, lead shield, lab coat and or apron, safety goggles, double gloves, surgical mask, bench coat paper.
Procedure:
- Place balance in the fume hood. Cut out a round piece of Parafilm, size it to the balance plate, and place it on the balance plate.
- Place lead shield in front of balance (optional).
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With razor blade, cut tip off plastic transfer pipet at an angle to form into a spatula. See diagram:
- Pour the 100-mL of water into amber bottle. Then place the bottle onto the balance to tare.
- Use the plastic pipet spatula to carefully weigh out 6.25 grams of uranyl acetate powder into the amber bottle. If making 10 mL of 1% solution for microwave processing, then weigh out 0.1 gram, or whatever amount needed.
- Remove bottle from balance and cover.
- Wipe any spillage of powder with a moistened tissue. Discard the tissue into designated plastic waste bag.
- Place amber bottle of uranyl acetate solution in sonicator, also under fume hood, and sonicate up to one hour.
- Dispose of any contaminated disposal items into plastic waste bag. Then discard outer gloves also.
- Monitor hands, self, work area with survey meter (optional).
- When sonication is complete, wrap some Parafilm around the cover of the amber bottle. Store uranyl solution in 4 degree C refrigerator.