For over 45 years the name Polaron has been at the forefront of electron microscopy (EM) sample preparation. Having pioneered scanning electron microscopy (SEM) sputter coating and introduced the first SEM critical point dryer – the E3000 – back in the early 1970s, the brand has remained a market-leader in what are now standard preparation techniques for sputter coating, critical point drying and cryo-SEM.

Quorum Technologies, and the Polaron and Emitech brands, have sold over 6,000 sputter coaters, along with a similar number of critical point dryers. The timeline below includes an overview of key dates in our history.

1960s

- Polaron Equipment Ltd founded in Hertfordshire, England, and began supplying EM consumables and manufacturing EM sample preparation instruments.

1970s

- E3000 Critical Point Dryer introduced, with sales in excess of 5,000.
- E5000 SEM Sputter Coater introduced.
- Polaron Equipment Ltd became UK distributor for the first bench-top SEM manufactured by ISI.
- E5100 ‘Cool’ Sputtering System introduced. This importantly refined sputtering techniques, as the E5100 could sputter finer grain coatings with much-reduced thermal damage to specimens.

1985

- Polaron Equipment Ltd acquired by Microscience Division of Bio-Rad. Rapid expansion of Polaron range led to larger manufacturing premises at Hemel Hempstead, north of London.

1986

- E7400 cryo-SEM system introduced.

1987

- H2500 introduced – the first commercial laboratory microwave processor, designed specifically for histopathology and EM.

1987

- Bio-Rad Microscience Division acquired Emscope Laboratories; a leading manufacturer of EM preparation equipment. SC500 and SC650 Sputter Coaters, TB500 Carbon Coater, SP2000 Cryo Transfer System were integrated into existing product range.
- Emitech Ltd was founded by key former employees of Emscope Laboratories.

1988

- Emitech Ltd introduced the ‘K’ series of EM preparation instruments.

1991

- Polaron range sold to VG Microtech, then a division of Fisons Instruments. Manufacturing moved to Uckfield, Sussex, and Polaron brand name was re-introduced.
- The consumables (catalogue) business moved to Fisons Scientific Equipment (now Fisher Scientific) in Loughborough, UK, and operated as a separate business. The accessories product line was later dropped from the Fisher range.

1995

- All Polaron products met EMC standards for Europe.
- New SC7600 series of sputter coaters introduced.

1996

- Fisons Instruments (including VG Microtech) acquired by Thermo Instruments.
- VG Microtech gained ISO 9001.

1998

- VG Microtech amalgamated with sister company VG Scientific and moved to premises in East Grinstead, West Sussex.

2001

- Company name changed to Thermo VG Scientific
- Quorum Technologies Ltd formed in August 2001.
- Polaron range acquired by Quorum Technologies Ltd in November from its then owner, Thermo VG Scientific.

2005

- Quorum Technologies Ltd acquired the ongoing business and assets of Emitech Ltd on 1 April 2005 in a friendly acquisition supported by the directors of both companies.

2007

- Quorum Technologies Ltd Polaron division relocated from Newhaven to larger premises at Ringmer, East Sussex.

2008

- Quorum Technologies Ltd business reorganised. Ashford premises dedicated to manufacturing Emitech range and Ringmer premises dedicated to manufacturing Polaron products.

2009

- QuorumTechnologies Ltd acquired by Judges Scientific plc in June.
www.judges.uk.com

NB: Since divesting the Polaron EM Ranges in 1985, the original Polaron company has remained based in Watford, UK, but is no longer trading in the EM field. To view its website visit www.polaron.co.uk