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Ok, but thinking outside the box, the key is to eliminate/control sources. As long as the NDD can’t see the sources you don’t need a black room. I would prefer a big box around the scope -it could be big enough to let you fiddle but still block the monitor which is a major source of light ion the room. Even a single shield between the monitor and scope will work and then use mat dark green/blue walls and use a red filter over the monitor giving a much more pleasant work environment.

HTH

Cheers Mark





On 10/12/2013, at 2:01 am, Craig Brideau <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
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> *****
> 
> I agree its best if you can just box in the microscope itself: Then you
> don't have to worry about the room so much.  In our case, however, we work
> with a lot of live samples that require a lot of checking on, and plumbing
> and heaters that don't work well with an enclosure, which is why we
> darkened the entire room.  That way you have relatively free access to poke
> and prod your sample.  If you don't need easy access, or don't mind
> constantly opening the enclosure to check on your sample, the box method
> works very well and is certainly simpler.  If you are building a room from
> scratch though and have the option, I still recommend painting the walls a
> dark colour as the cost difference will be small compared to the
> traditional white or beige paint and will always give an advantage.
> 
> Craig
> 
> 
> On Mon, Dec 9, 2013 at 6:44 PM, Mark Cannell <[log in to unmask]>wrote:
> 
>> *****
>> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
>> *****
>> 
>> There is no need to go so far as to paint walls black if you eliminate
>> light sources. A solid Faraday cage around the scope with a black curtain
>> and interior  is just as good and fixes the monitor light pollution
>> problem. The room lighting should be easily dimmable from the
>> scope/workstation.
>> 
>> HTH
>> 
>> Mark
>> 
>> On 10/12/2013, at 12:40 am, Jurkevic, Aleksandr <[log in to unmask]>
>> wrote:
>> 
>>> *****
>>> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>>> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
>>> *****
>>> 
>>> Hello All,
>>> 
>>> We are about to renovate the room for two-photon microscopy and I wonder
>> what suggestions you might have about reducing light pollution that affects
>> NDDs. As one of the measures, we are planning to paint walls and ceiling in
>> black. What about "small" things like aluminum electrical channels, wall
>> shelves, air vents? Have they also to be painted in dark colors or that
>> would be an overkill? I would appreciate if you share your solutions.
>>> 
>>> Alexander
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Alexander Jurkevic, PhD
>>> Associate Director
>>> Molecular Cytology Core
>>> University of Missouri
>>> 120 Life Sciences Center
>>> 1201 E. Rollins St.
>>> Columbia, MO 65211-7310
>>> 
>>> Phone:    573-882-4895
>>> Fax:           573-884-9676
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>> Mark  B. Cannell Ph.D. FRSNZ
>> Professor of Cardiac Cell Biology
>> School of Physiology &  Pharmacology
>> Medical Sciences Building
>> University of Bristol
>> Bristol
>> BS8 1TD UK
>> 
>> [log in to unmask]
>> 

Mark  B. Cannell Ph.D. FRSNZ
Professor of Cardiac Cell Biology
School of Physiology &  Pharmacology
Medical Sciences Building
University of Bristol
Bristol
BS8 1TD UK

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