Smart EPU Software

Cryo-EM data collection software solution for single particle analysis

Thermo Scientific Smart EPU Software is an AI-powered, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) software platform that automates data acquisition, optimizes grid screening, and seamlessly integrates with your hardware for accelerated single particle analysis data workflow. 

 

Compatible with all Thermo Scientific TEMs, the integrated components like Thermo Scientific Smart EPU Plugins, EPU Multigrid Software, and Embedded CryoSPARC Live Software, work together to support autonomous screening and yield results with high throughput.

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Software portfolio for SPA data collection

Whether you need end-to-end autonomous screening and real-time quality monitoring or standard automated image acquisition, Thermo Fisher Scientific offers a breadth of solutions to accelerate your single particle analysis data collection.

 

Feature EPU Software Smart EPU Software Smart EPU Software with Embedded CryoSPARC Live
Automated image acquisition
Automated screening
  
Image quality monitoring  
Sample quality monitoring    

Smart EPU Software features

Smart technology optimizes decision-making in SPA data collection

Plug into AI-based algorithms, faster screening, and workflow automation with Smart EPU Plugins.

 

Decision-making can be made easier with:

  • Smart Grid Square Selection for an AI-driven selection and categorization of grid squares 
  • Smart Hole Finder for input-free identification of foil holes, even on challenging grids 
  • Smart Filter for automatic selection of the best quality holes 
  • Smart Ice Thickness Prediction for automated classification of foil holes depending on predicted ice thickness 5. 
  • Smart Focus for auto-focus stabilization using a real-time CTF 
  • Smart Grid Skip for automated grid-square skipping with a real-time contrast transfer function (CTF)
  • Smart Stage Time for stage waiting time optimization

Additionally, advanced users have the opportunity to develop and share their own plugins through an open application programming interface (API). 

Smart EPU Software screenshot showing grid atlas squares used in cryo-EM data collection.

Benefits of screening with Smart EPU Software

Easy adoption 

A user-friendly interface enable fast training and setup, requiring no expertise to identify and exclude bad foil holes.

Maximized efficiency

An autonomous sequence for grid screening uses AI-driven algorithms to reduces microscope time spent assessing sample quality samples.

Workflow optimization

The ability to screen two full cassettes per day accelerates time to results and increases cost savings.

High data quality

Automatically excludes sub-optimal areas for more reliable results.

Resources

Featured resource

Technical specifications for Smart EPU Software

Dive deeper into the innovations behind Smart EPU Software and see how it can enable a more automated experience for cryo-EM single particle analysis data acquisition.

Datasheet for Smart EPU Cryo EM Data Collection Software

Additional resources

Webinars

44:59

Smart EPU Software in Action

Watch this demo to get an in-depth look at the power of Smart EPU Software when integrated with the Thermo Scientific Tundra Cryo-TEM.
52:32

Embedded CryoSPARC Live Software in Action

Experience how Smart EPU Software with Embedded CryoSPARC Live can analyze single particle analysis data in real-time on a Thermo Scientific cryo-TEM.
33:21

Ask the Experts

In this webinar, we review the capabilities that have recently been added to Smart EPU Software, and how they can further streamline single particle analysis workflows.

What’s new in Smart EPU Software?

This tutorial introduces two new features now available in Smart EPU Software:

  1. A targeting correction routine for the improvement of atlas-tile stitching
  2. A beam-centering sequence option for Thermo Scientific Glacios Cryo-TEMs with FFI, which maintains the beam center without user supervision during EPU session runs 
2:05

What's New on Smart EPU 3.11

This tutorial outlines two new features: a "Targeting Correction" routine and "Beam Centering" sequence

Additional Smart EPU Software tutorials

What’s new on Smart EPU update: Discovery Viewer
This tutorial demonstrates how to use Discovery Viewer to identify grid areas for high-quality data acquisition.
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        1. Now Playing
          Up NextWhat’s new on Smart EPU update: Discovery Viewer

          This tutorial demonstrates how to use Discovery Viewer to identify grid areas for high-quality data acquisition.

        2. Now Playing
          Up NextWhat’s new on Smart EPU 3.10 update: Smart Hole Finder

          This tutorial demonstrates how to use new capabilities in Smart EPU: Optimize Optics, Smart Grid Square Selection for gold grids, Smart Hole Finder, and a measurement tool.

        3. Now Playing
          Up NextWhat’s new in Smart EPU update: CryoSPARC Live™ Multigrid | August 2024

          This tutorial demonstrates the latest features of Smart EPU Software included: integrated data management, new automation parameters and multigrid support for embedded CryoSPARC Live

        4. Now Playing
          Up NextWhat’s new on Smart EPU update: Smart Ice Thickness Prediction

          This tutorial demonstrates how to use three new capabilities in Smart EPU: Plasmon Peak Imaging , Smart Ice Thickness Prediction, and Tilted Acquisition.

        5. Now Playing
          Up NextWhat’s new on Smart EPU update: Smart Selection of Grid Square Plugin with categorization

          This tutorial demonstrates how to use Smart Selection of Grid Square to automatically select and categorize grid squares.

        6. Now Playing
          Up NextHow to get started with Smart EPU Software (EPU 3.6) with Embedded CryoSPARC Live-Nov 2023

          This tutorial demonstrates how to get started with Smart EPU Software (EPU 3.6) with Embedded CryoSPARC Live. This software enables users processes images on the fly to assess sample quality and accelerate structural determination.

        7. Now Playing
          Up NextWhat’s new on Smart EPU update Smart Selection of Grid Squares

          This tutorial demonstrates the latest features of Smart EPU Software including the new Athena selection window, Smart Selection of grid squares, and automatic placement of the autofocus area.

        8. Now Playing
          Up NextHow to get started with Smart EPU Software with Embedded CryoSPARC Live

          This tutorial demonstrates how to get started with Smart EPU Software with Embedded CryoSPARC Live. This software enables users processes images on the fly to assess sample quality and accelerate structural determination.

        9. Now Playing
          Up NextWhat’s new on Smart EPU update: EPU Multigrid Software

          New option for EPU 2.10 and later: EPU Multigrid. EPU Automated Data Acquisition Software for Single Particle Workflow.

        10. Now Playing
          Up NextWhat’s new on Smart EPU update: Smart Filter, Fast Screening and Auto-create sessions

          This tutorial demonstrates how to use Smart Filter, Fast Screening and Auto-create sessions to facilitate sample screening in single particle analysis.

        11. Now Playing
          Up NextWhat’s new on Smart EPU update: Image Shift Calibration

          This tutorial demonstrates the latest features of Smart EPU Software for SPA included: TIFF LZW output for Falcon-4i cameras, guided Image Shift Calibration, and clean up functions.

      Software updates

      Release management

      Thermo Fisher Scientific offers a constant stream of software improvements and updates, ensuring you can achieve your goals as quickly and easily as possible. 

      CryoFlow Software updates

      For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

      1x1 image pixel for data collection