Sometimes we get specimen vials that have been sealed under argon (in a glovebox). Prepping the crystals is easy enough, using a MicroCHILL (published here: https://journals.iucr.org/j/issues/2018/02/00/gj5200/gj5200.pdf). However, getting the samples from the vial to the stage without air contact is usually a pain. This tool is an attempt at resolving this.

Edit (27.11.2024): Added a small tool to reach in and unscrew the vial.

The vessel is enshrouded in a protective gas stream distributed through a ring of nozzles. I designed it around a piece of plexy pipe (glued on) to maintain some visibility. If necessary it is possible to pre-cool the gas stream by running it through a spiral submerged e.g. in dry ice. The vial can be clamped in place with an M3 screw (make sure to unscrew the cap about half a turn before placing the vial). Initial tests were very promising, it was easy enough to unscrew the cap using forceps and doing some manipulations inside the vessel under the microscope.

The provided scad file is designed for a max. 30mm high/22mm diameter vessel and plexy pipe with OD=40, ID=34mm. The tap is 1/4" NPT (standard 6 or 8 mm pneumatic fitting as shown in picture). Barbed adapters (6 and 8 mm) for standard lab hose are provided as stl, but personally I am just using a length of 8 mm pneumatic hose (the red bit).
The scad file is fairly parametric, you can adjust the tube diameters and maximum vessel size. Uses polyScrewThread.scad by aubenc (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:8796).