> I wonder how much potential there is to make them a lot more reliable and easier to use. Other kinds of instruments in the lab have gotten much more reliable and much easier to use over time, though this is not a particularly quick process. But I suspect this depends a lot on how well you can isolate the fragile parts of the equipment from the users.

Going to 100 kV makes everything a little more forgiving in theory. SEMs that operate in the 10 kV range can be had for a full order of magnitude cheaper, although that price probably scales a bit with achievable resolution. But for an example, the 200 kV/300 kV microscopes can't change temperature by +- 1°F over a 24 hour period without the lenses going out of alignment (presumably because of the resistance change in the electromagnets).

>Regarding the last paragraph, it's incredibly frustrating if you see time on expensive instruments wasted because there aren't enough experts around and people have to try and figure out stuff for themselves. But it seems that it's almost always easier to buy another expensive instrument compared to hiring an expert on a permanent position.

The NIH and NSF have been quite willing to provide money to purchase microscopes. They are far less willing to provide money to cover annual operational expenses.