The enhanced mechanical microcompressor (eMMC) device for immobilizing specimens. (a) The main components of the microcompressor consist of a brass base (B), with a commercially available 25 mM coverslip glued in its base and four precision-machined brass pieces. To create the base of the eMMC, the outer ring (OR) was glued to the brass base, and a 30 mm round, glass coverslip (GC) was glued into the recess of B. This GC provides the surface upon which the specimen rests. The inner ring (IR) threads into the OR; the compressor mount (CM) slides and locks into the IR. The CM holds the coverslip compressor (CC) which positions a 25 mm glass coverslip (GC) in place. (b) An assembled unit placed on an inverted Nikon TiE microscope stage. Samples are loaded into the center of the GC when the CM is removed, after which the CM is inserted into IR and rotated until the specimen is immobilized (c) eMMC assembled and positioned on an upright Olympus AX70 microscope.