The Leica EM ICE High Pressure Freezer is used for freezing aqueous specimens in order to be examined with an electron microscope, a light microscope or other surface-analysis methods, such as atomic force microscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry or photoelectron spectroscopy. Additional preparation stages may occur between freezing and examination.

Specimens are simultaneously pressurized (210 kPa) and frozen with liquid nitrogen at a temperature of –196 °C. Only liquefied nitrogen can be used as the cryogen.

Various specimens can be processed with the EM ICE (e.g. cell cultures, cosmetic products, food, suspensions etc.).

The high pressure greatly reduces the volume of gaseous substances in the specimen, therefore specimens should not contain any gas bubbles, which could reduce pressure transmission and compromise the freezing quality.

When hazardous substances (such as radioactive, toxic or human pathogenic substances) are processed the substance-specific safety precautions must be applied.