This is a pretty nifty device for handling air- and moisture-sensitive samples without a glove box. The basin consists of Styrofoam frame, with a piece of glass at the bottom. The glass is attached to the frame with duct tape. The front wall of the basin is lower than the back to allow easy access to the bottom of the basin with scalpels and goniometer heads. Argon gas from an argon tank fills the basin through the Tygon tubings inserted in the holes at the four corners. The Tygon tubing is held in place by friction. The beauty of the device is that you can also cool your crystals in the basin with dry ice because no moisture condensation will occur under argon.
