I also am in a very similar situation, with a detector of about the same age, which appears to have slowly but steadily lost resolution (we're up to nearly 200 eV full width at half max on the Mn K-alpha line).
I have asked the manufacturer how and why this kind of degradation occurs, but haven't gotten a clear answer. I realize there are multiple components of the system from which the problem could be coming (it manifests itself as an approximately constant 50 eV additional fwhm component on all peaks in the spectrum regardless of at which energy). However, I'd like to know if there are reasons why this might be unavoidable in a detector of this age? If not, what are possible causes and how can one prevent it from happening?
Thanks, Wharton
} -----Original Message----- } From: Romina Belli [SMTP:belli-at-science.unitn.it] } Sent: Monday, April 30, 2001 8:04 AM } To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } Subject: SEM-EDS: change or repair? } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Hi! } I have a problem with my EDS system. I bought it in 1992 with a SEM. Now, } the resolution and the quantification results are getting worse. } Maybe it should be enough changing the window and the detector and testing } all. I'd like to have more than one offering about repairing manufactory } but I don't know to ask about it . Could anyone help me? } Thank's in advance. } } Romina Belli
Does anyone have a good protocol for retina fixation for TEM?
I'm dealing with specimens collected in the field and it appears that the initial field fix- "cacodylate and glut" did not preserve the "rods and cones".
A good recomendation for a field fix would be appreciated. Would Karnovsky's work?
I also need to fix frog skin tissue, causing minimal shrinkage. Any suggestions?
I teach three EM classes here which are undergrad and grad level: EM Theory (2 credits Spring Semester), TEM Lab (3 credits Spring semester), and SEM Lab (2 credits fall semester).
The EM Theory class meets 2x 50 mins each week and is lecture only (I bring in lots of hands on show and tells). It covers SEM, TEM, LM, photography (Silver & digital), sample prep, and AEM. I have a number of students who take this without taking the lab courses. The Lab courses require the EM Theory class.
The both labs meet as a group (class limit of 8-9 students) for 2-5 hours on Mondays (Scheduled for 3 hours but fixation days run long). The students then meet one-on-one with a TA for 2hrs on the scope each week. The students “drive” and the TA’s train/assist/watch. Both Labs cover full microscope operation (including alignment, operating parameters, imaging modes, and photography), sample prep (from wet to scope, including embedment, ultramicrotomy, CPD, particulates, staining techniques - 3 separate preps for TEM and 5 for SEM), darkroom, and digital publication plate production. Students take a written exam, an oral exam on the scope (once they “pass” the scope exam they can use the scope without supervision), and turn in a pretty polished portfolio of images. TEM students spend significant amounts of additional time sectioning, staining, and developing film and contact printing.
Yes, these labs are labor intensive (teaching and students), but by the end of either course the goal is that they are qualified TEM or SEM users. Most of the students continue on utilizing the scope for research (most undergrads taking the actually have formal research projects with faculty members that they continue for 1-2 years plus summers, or on to a masters degree). Students are accepted into the lab classes based on research needs.
Richard E. Edelmann, Ph.D. Electron Microscopy Facility Supervisor 352 Pearson Hall Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056 Ph: 513.529.5712 Fax: 513.529.4243 E-mail: edelmare-at-muohio.edu
At Chicago State University I teach a 4 credit hour course in TEM in the fall each year. The students have 2 one-hour lectures per week and 10 hours of supervised lab experience per week. I have usually have 4 to 8 students each year. Since students are scheduled into the lab 2 at a time, this means that someone is with students 30-50 hours per week. For the last few years I have had a technologist assistant who has been able to work with the students, so that we have been able to continue with research and other work during the semester. It really does take two people for this sort of class. In the spring I have taught a 3-credit hour class in SEM. This one has 2 hours of lecture and 6 hours of supervised lab per week. When my students are done with the class, they can prepare specimens competently, use the TEM or SEM to take pictures, so some alignment, understand the principles, and present a simple research project to the department. In the past that was done as a poster or with slides, but in the last few years they have been preparing Power Point presentations.
I teach three EM classes here which are undergrad and grad level: EM Theory (2 credits Spring Semester), TEM Lab (3 credits Spring semester), and SEM Lab (2 credits fall semester).
The EM Theory class meets 2x 50 mins each week and is lecture only (I bring in lots of hands on show and tells). It covers SEM, TEM, LM, photography (Silver & digital), sample prep, and AEM. I have a number of students who take this without taking the lab courses. The Lab courses require the EM Theory class.
The both labs meet as a group (class limit of 8-9 students) for 2-5 hours on Mondays (Scheduled for 3 hours but fixation days run long). The students then meet one-on-one with a TA for 2hrs on the scope each week. The students “drive” and the TA’s train/assist/watch. Both Labs cover full microscope operation (including alignment, operating parameters, imaging modes, and photography), sample prep (from wet to scope, including embedment, ultramicrotomy, CPD, particulates, staining techniques - 3 separate preps for TEM and 5 for SEM), darkroom, and digital publication plate production. Students take a written exam, an oral exam on the scope (once they “pass” the scope exam they can use the scope without supervision), and turn in a pretty polished portfolio of images. TEM students spend significant amounts of additional time sectioning, staining, and developing film and contact printing.
Yes, these labs are labor intensive (teaching and students), but by the end of either course the goal is that they are qualified TEM or SEM users. Most of the students continue on utilizing the scope for research (most undergrads taking the actually have formal research projects with faculty members that they continue for 1-2 years plus summers, or on to a masters degree). Students are accepted into the lab classes based on research needs.
Richard E. Edelmann, Ph.D. Electron Microscopy Facility Supervisor 352 Pearson Hall Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056 Ph: 513.529.5712 Fax: 513.529.4243 E-mail: edelmare-at-muohio.edu
The Microscopy and Imaging Facility of the University of Calgary requires an Electron Microscopy Technician to fill a newly created position within the unit.
The Microscopy and Imaging Facility is a service resource for the University of Calgary supporting users campus wide. The unit works in all areas of science including medicine, biology, chemistry, materials engineering, and geology. The unit is equipped with six electron beam instruments, X-ray micro analyzers, confocal microscope, digital imaging / image analysis and support resources. It is the largest unit of its type in Western Canada.
The successful applicant will have work experience in the operation and routine maintenance of transmission electron microscopes. The demonstrated ability to teach and instruct new users on instrumentation will be a definite asset. Competence in the operation and use of computers and common software packages is a must.
Salary for this position will be dependant on education and experience in the field.
Please send by May 14, 2001 your cv and a covering letter that includes details of your experience that is relevant to this position to: Dr. John Reynolds Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, T2N 1N4, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
I also am in a very similar situation, with a detector of about the same age, which appears to have slowly but steadily lost resolution (we're up to nearly 200 eV full width at half max on the Mn K-alpha line).
I have asked the manufacturer how and why this kind of degradation occurs, but haven't gotten a clear answer. I realize there are multiple components of the system from which the problem could be coming (it manifests itself as an approximately constant 50 eV additional fwhm component on all peaks in the spectrum regardless of at which energy). However, I'd like to know if there are reasons why this might be unavoidable in a detector of this age? If not, what are possible causes and how can one prevent it from happening?
Wharton
} Hi! } I have a problem with my EDS system. I bought it in 1992 with a SEM. Now, } the resolution and the quantification results are getting worse. } Maybe it should be enough changing the window and the detector and testing } all. I'd like to have more than one offering about repairing manufactory } but I don't know to ask about it . Could anyone help me? } Thank's in advance. } } Romina Belli
Dear Wharton and Romina, Our Kevex detector was installed in the early 80s, and every so often we have had to warm up and pump out the detector to get back the specified resolution (145 eV). Last year, when this didn't work, we sent the detector to Doug Connors (tnas1-at-msn.com), and he cleaned and overhauled it for a good price and got 147 eV resolution. I have no connection to Doug other than as a satisfied customer. Yours,
Bill Tivol Wadsworth Center Albany NY (518) 473-7399 WFT02-at-health.state.ny.us
This is a question about the FEI FIB 200: We are interested in converting our Pt Gas Injection System into Au, but have been told about possible negative effects on the instrument.
Any data/experience/thoughts on Au deposition using FIB (any model) and its effect on the instrument performance will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks! P.S. I realize it is not quite a microscopy question. I have posted it to the FIB-users list, but received only one response so far. Apologize to those who will get this message for the second time.
******************************** Katharine Dovidenko, Ph.D. Scientist UAlbany Institute for Materials and Center for Advanced Thin Film Technology University at Albany SUNY www.albany.edu/cat
251 Fuller Rd. Albany, NY 12203 USA Phone: (518) 437-8781 Fax: (518) 437-8687
} -----Original Message----- } From: Gonzalez-Cabezas, Carlos } Sent: Monday, April 30, 2001 2:37 PM } To: Goheen, Michael P. } Subject: RE: SEM position } } I was asked to post this job opening on the listserver. } } Mike Goheen } } SEM/EPMA tech wanted. The Indiana University School of Dentistry is } looking for a technician for its new digital electron microscopy } laboratory. } A JEOL LV-5310 scanning electron microscope and JEOL 8900R electron probe } microanalyzer are in the process of being installed in a renovated lab in } the IU School of Dentistry. The electron microscopes will have energy- and } wavelength-dispersive spectrometers and are fully digitized. The } laboratory } will serve the research and teaching interests of several units on campus } in } addition to Dentistry including the IU School of Medicine, and the Purdue } School of Science (Departments of Geology, Biology, Chemistry, and } Physics) } and Purdue School of Engineering at Indianapolis. We seek a candidate who } has a range of interests in spatial variations of the microstructure and } composition of materials, and skills in one or more fields such as } computer } technology, electron microscopy, materials science, engineering } technology, } biomedical and geological research. Please contact Dr. Carlos Gonzalez, } Preventive Dentistry Department, IU School of Dentistry. } } Dr. Carlos González-Cabezas, DDS, PhD } Director of the Confocal & Scanning Electron Microscopy Facility } Indiana University School of Dentistry } CGONZALE-at-IUPUI.EDU } } } } -----Original Message----- } From: Goheen, Michael P. } Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2001 2:17 PM } To: Gonzalez-Cabezas, Carlos } Subject: RE: SEM position } } } -----Original Message----- } From: Gonzalez-Cabezas, Carlos } Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2001 12:20 PM } To: Goheen, Michael P. } Subject: SEM position } }
{bold} {color} {param} ffff,0000,0000 {/param} {bigger} FYI: This is the last day for early registration for the FRET/FLIM Symposium in San Antonio.=20 Abstracts will be accepted until June 1st.
{/bigger} {/color} {/bold} {bigger} The University of Texas Health Science Center will host a symposium sponsored by Hamamatsu Photonics KK on
{paraindent} {param} left,out {/param} "Spatial resolution of early signalling processes in cells"=20
{/paraindent} Christoph Biskup,=20
{paraindent} {param} left {/param} "Fluorescence lifetime and energy transfer measurements in living cells with a confocal laser scanning microscope and a streak camera"=20
{/paraindent} Robert Clegg,=20
{paraindent} {param} left {/param} "Real-time fluorescence lifetime-resolved imaging - why we do it, how it's done, and applications for biology and medicine."=20
{/paraindent} Michael Edidin
{paraindent} {param} left {/param} "Photobleaching FRET microscopy: practice and theory"
{/paraindent} Enrico Gratton =20
Hans Gerritsen
{paraindent} {param} left {/param} "Fast fluorescence lifetime imaging"=20
{/paraindent} Jesus Gonzalez
{paraindent} {param} left {/param} "FRET Probes and Assays for Drug Discovery"=20
{/paraindent} Brian Herman
{paraindent} {param} left {/param} "FRETing over the apoptotic cascade"
{/paraindent} Thomas Jovin
{paraindent} {param} left {/param} "Extending the capabilities of FRET and FLIM for molecular and cellular biology: phFRET (photochromic FRET), rFLIM (anisotropy FLIM), spectrally-resolved and optical-sectioning FLIM"
{/paraindent} Karsten K=F6nig
{paraindent} {param} left {/param} "Multiphoton microscopy with submicron spatial and picosecond temporal resolution"=20
{/paraindent} Wen-hong Li
{paraindent} {param} left {/param} "Towards the development of highly luminescent lanthanide complexes for FRET and FLIM"=20
{/paraindent} Paloma Mas (substituting for Steve Kay)
{paraindent} {param} left {/param} "Functional interaction of phytocrome B and cryptochrome 2"=20
{/paraindent} Atsushi Miyawaki
{paraindent} {param} left {/param} "Imaging of cellular functions by FREting"
{/paraindent} Ammasi Periasamy
{paraindent} {param} left {/param} "Quantitation of Protein Signals in a Single Living Cell: Wide-field, Confocal, Two-photon and Lifetime FRET Microscopy"=20
{/paraindent} Alexander Sorkin
{paraindent} {param} left {/param} "Interactions of the EGF receptor with adapter proteins during endocytosis" =20
{/paraindent} Roger Tsien=20
{paraindent} {param} left {/param} "FRET based readouts of intracellular messengers and protein interactions"=20
Dear Wharton and Romina, I am running two EDX detectors that are older than Romina's, one 1985 and one of similar age that I bought used. Both still meet their original spec of 149 and 146 eV at Mn Ka. When I have had a degradation of resolution, I turned off the bias, grounded it out with a paper clip on the detector bias connector and warmed up the detector until all the frost was gone from inside the dewar. I used warmed air from a hair drier, blown into a hose down to the bottom, but there other methods that can be used. When the dewar was completely dry, I refillled with liquid nitrogen, let it cool overnight and applied bias the next day. The bias should be on at least one hour before testing the resolution. In one case this cured the resolution, but degraded the holding time for liquid nitrogen, so I then had the dewar re-pumped. I would recommend that step, at least, before buying a new detector. There are also EDX detector repair companies that will diagnose and repair detectors for less than the cost of a new one. I have also had a grounding problem that gave high noise on the detector, because the case on the pre-amp oxidized. A little emery paper cured that. That showed more high dead-time than degraded resolution. At 08:58 AM 4/30/01 -0500, you wrote: } } Dear List, } } I also am in a very similar situation, with a detector of about the same } age, which appears to have slowly but steadily lost resolution (we're up to } nearly 200 eV full width at half max on the Mn K-alpha line). } } I have asked the manufacturer how and why this kind of degradation occurs, } but haven't gotten a clear answer. I realize there are multiple components } of the system from which the problem could be coming (it manifests itself as } an approximately constant 50 eV additional fwhm component on all peaks in } the spectrum regardless of at which energy). However, I'd like to know if } there are reasons why this might be unavoidable in a detector of this age? } If not, what are possible causes and how can one prevent it from happening? } } } Thanks, } Wharton } } } -----Original Message----- } } From: Romina Belli [SMTP:belli-at-science.unitn.it] } } Sent: Monday, April 30, 2001 8:04 AM } } To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } } Subject: SEM-EDS: change or repair? } } } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } } Hi! } } I have a problem with my EDS system. I bought it in 1992 with a SEM. Now, } } the resolution and the quantification results are getting worse. } } Maybe it should be enough changing the window and the detector and testing } } all. I'd like to have more than one offering about repairing manufactory } } but I don't know to ask about it . Could anyone help me? } } Thank's in advance. } } } } Romina Belli } Regards, Mary
Mary Mager Electron Microscopist Metals and Materials Engineering University of British Columbia 6350 Stores Road Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z4 CANADA tel: 604-822-5648 e-mail: mager-at-interchg.ubc.ca
Job Posting submitted by Dr. David P. Bazett-Jones
Service Manager, Electron Microscopy Facility
Date Posted: April 30, 2001
Position Status: Full-time, Fixed term
Department: Cell Biology Research Institute
Available: August 1, 2001
Description of the Position: You will share responsibility for the operation and maintenance of transmission and scanning electron microscopes in a new Bioimaging Facility co-sponsored by teaching hospitals in the University of Toronto. The microscopes include an ESEM (FEI/Philips) and a 200 kV TEM (FEI/Philips) equipped with EDX, GIF and cryostage. You will also be responsible for coordination and management
of electron bioimaging services required by investigators of the Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute.
Qualifications: As an ideal candidate, you have completed a M.Sc. in biological sciences, or have completed a B.Sc. with experience in analytical electron microscopy, ultramicrotomy and other sample preparation techniques. Strong computer skills are an asset.
You possess excellent verbal communication and organizational skills. You have the ability to work well independently and in a team.
Hours : 35 hours/week
Salary: $39,848.95 - $50,277.67
Available to: Internal and External Candidates
Deadline: May 9, 2001
Submit Resume to : Erin O’Hare The Hospital for Sick Children 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G1X8
Mananged to get most of the OS updated done this evening. There may be a few hiccups over the next couple of days so be patient. Be prepared for the occasional error message while I reset and fine tune all the system parameters
Cheers.... Nestor Your Friendly Neighborhood SysOp
Dear All Being a botanist and all, I know the cube root of very little about this really, but my understanding is that gold atoms can diffuse into and "poison" semiconductors, and that gold should never be used for specimen coating etc. in any SEM / FIB which may be used to examine or test semiconductors where the semiconductor functionality must be maintained. A) Is this relevant to Katharine's question? B) Is it true or an urban myth?
Chris
----- Original Message ----- } From: "Katharine Dovidenko" {KDovidenko-at-uamail.albany.edu} To: "'Microscopy-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com'" {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} Sent: Monday, April 30, 2001 6:57 PM
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Wharton, It may be as simple as cleaning out your dewar and or outgassing your window. We were losing resolution on our EDAX detector. It was brought up to room temperature for a day or so and the resolution improved greatly. It worth a try if the manufacturer allows it. Clean out any debris from the dewar and make sure your detector isn't powered up during the warm up. Good Luck, Russ Gillmeister Microscopy Xerox Corp. RGillmeister-at-crt.xerox.com
-----Original Message----- } From: Sinkler, Wharton [mailto:WSinkler-at-uop.com] Sent: Monday, April 30, 2001 9:59:AM To: 'Romina Belli'; Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
Dear List,
I also am in a very similar situation, with a detector of about the same age, which appears to have slowly but steadily lost resolution (we're up to nearly 200 eV full width at half max on the Mn K-alpha line).
I have asked the manufacturer how and why this kind of degradation occurs, but haven't gotten a clear answer. I realize there are multiple components of the system from which the problem could be coming (it manifests itself as an approximately constant 50 eV additional fwhm component on all peaks in the spectrum regardless of at which energy). However, I'd like to know if there are reasons why this might be unavoidable in a detector of this age? If not, what are possible causes and how can one prevent it from happening?
Thanks, Wharton
} -----Original Message----- } From: Romina Belli [SMTP:belli-at-science.unitn.it] } Sent: Monday, April 30, 2001 8:04 AM } To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } Subject: SEM-EDS: change or repair? } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Hi! } I have a problem with my EDS system. I bought it in 1992 with a SEM. Now, } the resolution and the quantification results are getting worse. } Maybe it should be enough changing the window and the detector and testing } all. I'd like to have more than one offering about repairing manufactory } but I don't know to ask about it . Could anyone help me? } Thank's in advance. } } Romina Belli
We are in the process of updating the Microbeam Analysis Society's membership database. If there are any changes in your personal information (address, phone/fax #'s, email, etc.) as listed in the 2000 directory and you have not made the necessary changes on your 2001 renewal form, please email me with the updated information. Although we will not be printing a new directory this year we would like to keep everyone as current as possible with the membership information.
If you are not a member of MAS and would like to join, please contact me for more information and an application form.
Thanks, Lou Ross MAS Membership Services PMB #141 2101 W. Broadway Columbia, MO 65203-1261 (800) 4MASMEM url: www.microanalysis.org
_______________________________________________________ Send a cool gift with your E-Card http://www.bluemountain.com/giftcenter/
{HTML} {FONT FACE=arial,helvetica} {FONT SIZE=2} We are currently looking for a used ultrcut microtome in good to excellent {BR} condition. {BR} John Hoffpauir {BR} Cooper hospital {BR} Camden NJ {BR} 08107 {BR} 856 757-7781 {/FONT} {/HTML}
Just a general question for the List - are those 10mm x 10mm cylindrical copper (or Al) Jeol type stubs still in wide usage in the SEM community? Do newer Jeol machines still use them? The reason I'm asking is that we have a couple cabinets full of these old stubs from when we used to have a Jeol back in the mid-70's, but of course can't look at them now with our current instrument. I'd like to toss them so we can modify the cabinets to accept our pin-type stubs, and I'd feel better about doing so if I thought it would be hard to find an instrument that could still look at these old ones. Of course, if it turns out that I can't find documentation to indicate what's on these stubs, they'll be going in the bin anyway.
F.C. Thomas MicroAnalysis Facility Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic) Bedford Institute of Oceanography Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Canada
Workshop Announcement University of California at Santa Barbara
The Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research Institute are sponsoring an advance course on light microscopy. This 4-day workshop will be offered from August 20 through August 23, 2001 and will consist of lectures and laboratory exercises that will run from 9 am to approximately 5 pm each day. The seminar/workshop will be an intensive lecture/laboratory series that will enable participants to develop theoretical and hands-on expertise with light microscopes. Attendees will closely interact with the instructors while using modern research grade microscopes, cameras, and computers. The seminars and laboratories will cover basic optical theory and how it pertains to increasing contrast (signal to noise ratio) in biological samples. Fundamental techniques such as fluorescence, phase contrast, Nomarski differential interference contrast, and darkfield imaging will be taught and attendees will use microscopes equipped to perform these optical enhancement techniques. In addition, the theory and practice of electronic image acquisition (analog and digital) will be discussed and attendees will work with low-light cameras, digital image processing computers, and morphometric programs. There are five research grade microscopes, five electronic imaging cameras, two computer workstations, and one confocal microscope. With a maximum enrollment of 10 students, there will be ample opportunity to work with all of the microscopes and cameras. For those so interested, intensive hands-on instruction and guidance on the confocal microscope will be provided.
For a fuller description of the workshop please check the web address below. Enrollment forms can be completed online and this workshop provides an opportunity to have a working-vacation in Santa Barbara, California.
The Nikon 990 has a pretty good macro mode and I have found a supplier of a macro lens system that is excellent, but I need a stand that has rough height adjustment like you would find on a stereo scope. Has anyone found a good solution for this presuming that the sample would sit on a table or stand and the Nikon lens would be lowered to the desired height. I know this is typically done with a copy stand, but I find them over-kill (large and provides own illumination). I would use the illumination from my stereo scope so all I need is a small mechanical stage.
Being an electronics technician, I only know enough about optics to be dangerous, but use microscopes often. I am trying to understand what we have, in order to figure out what else could help us out. I would appreciate information for a "layman", or pointers web sites that might enlighten me.
First, I need help understanding the markings on our objective lenses. The question marks indicate what I don't even have an inkling of the meaning.
#1: Zeiss (The maker of our LSM & this lens) Epiplan-NEOFLUAR ( ? ) 100x/0,90 (magnification/numerical aperture) 44 23 80 ( ? )
#3 research devices (The maker) infrared (illumination designed for) Trans 100 IRN ( ? ; mag ; near IR ? ) 0.90 ( NA )
Is it possible to calculate the working distance from the available information?
When a lens is made for infrared use, what is different about it? Are the lens coatings different, or totally absent? Is the lens glass special?
If you read this far, thank you! I thought I would find the answers to these questions, and many more, on an episode of "Soap," but it didn't work. The list is a wonderful pool of knowledge, so don't fail me now!
Chris: if you MUST maintain functionality, it's best not to coat at all. My next choice would be carbon coating, which can be removed by ashing in an O2 plasma. The 3rd choice is Au/Pd, which can be removed with a wet etch of iodine/potassium iodide, but this can attack any exposed aluminum metal on the die.
The biggest problem with using a coating on semiconductors one wishes to remain functional is getting all the coating off to prevent shorts/leakages between the device pins. I don't think it's relevant to Katherine's question as she is concerned about negative effects to her FIB, not the devices.
Most semiconductors have a passivation layer (usually silicon nitride about 1 micron thick) over their surfaces and this protects from unwanted contaminants. I'm no device physicist, but I think the device would have to be heated to a high temperature for any gold implanted in the top atomic layers to diffuse into the active junctions and cause trouble. You want to keep Au out of the fab, but after the passivation is deposited and is intact, the device is fairly impervious to metals sputtered on top. Some older devices used to have Au plated on their backs to help attach them in their packages.
I've used gold (sputter and evaporative) coating over the years to coat semiconductors for SEM exam, and haven't seen any adverse effects. Most of my problems were related to trying to get the coating off afterwards.
Chris Jeffree wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Dear All } Being a botanist and all, I know the cube root of very little about } this really, but my understanding is that gold atoms can diffuse into } and "poison" semiconductors, and that gold should never be used for } specimen coating etc. in any SEM / FIB which may be used to examine or } test semiconductors where the semiconductor functionality must be } maintained. A) Is this relevant to Katharine's question? B) Is it } true or an urban myth? } } Chris } } ----- Original Message ----- } } From: "Katharine Dovidenko" {KDovidenko-at-uamail.albany.edu} } To: "'Microscopy-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com'" } {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} } Sent: Monday, April 30, 2001 6:57 PM } Subject: FIB: Au deposition instead of Pt. } } } -------------------------------------------------------------------- } ---- } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of } America } } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to } ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } } On-Line Help } http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } } -------------------------------------------------------------------- } ---. } } } } } } Dear all: } } } } This is a question about the FEI FIB 200: We are interested in } converting } } our Pt Gas Injection System into Au, but have been told about } possible } } negative effects on the instrument. } } } } Any data/experience/thoughts on Au deposition using FIB (any model) } and its } } effect on the instrument performance will be greatly appreciated! } } } } Thanks! } } P.S. I realize it is not quite a microscopy question. I have posted } it to } } the FIB-users list, but received only one response so far. Apologize } to } } those who will get this message for the second time. } } } } ******************************** } } Katharine Dovidenko, Ph.D. } } Scientist } } UAlbany Institute for Materials and Center for Advanced Thin Film } Technology } } University at Albany } } SUNY } } www.albany.edu/cat } } } } 251 Fuller Rd. } } Albany, NY 12203 } } USA } } Phone: (518) 437-8781 } } Fax: (518) 437-8687 } } } }
-- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Becky Holdford (r-holdford-at-ti.com) 972-598-1291 (pager) DSPS Packaging Development Texas Instruments, Inc. Dallas, TX ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For macro photography I use a machinist's height gauge. They are usually about 18" high with a smooth, but tight, sliding anvil that can
be machined to accept a camera adapter ring mount. A threaded fine adjustment allows for fine focus. Mounting a Nikon 990 will require that additional weight be added to the gauge's base to prevent the assembly from toppling. Lubricated glass plates and a tiny sandbox can
be used for orienting the sample relative to the camera lens.
Location: Eindhoven, Noord braband, The Netherlands
Question: L.S. I'm doing a survey on bone tissue under the microscope. I want to make the bone tissue visible from a large overview with a regular microscope to a small overview with a (E)SEM. Do you have any experience with this kind of survey's. What kind of problems can I run into (e.g. How can I mark the piece of bone so that I always will see the same spot of bone under the different microscopes?). Do you have reports of other students that have done a study alike this one. At forehand thanks for your time cheers koen kodde student medical engineering
We are doping plastics with high concentrations of dyes and would like to determine the optical transmission properties of these plastics in the wavelength range 350-800nm as a function of thickness of the doped plastic. We do not have the capability to accurately cut thin sections of these plastics to perform these measurements. Ideally we would like to have sections cut at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 microns at for a series of dye concentrations in these plastics and have the sections mounted on glass slides. The sections should be free of holes, scratches or other defects. We can cast the plastic to whatever shape is needed but the other dimensions need to be at least 5x5mm.
Is there a service or contract lab out there that can do the sectioning. Interested parties should contact me to discuss further details.
Pleases do not sent to me SU ---------------------- Forwarded by Sumalee Uthaithavorn/BKK/BE/PHILIPS on 2001-05-02 09:43 ---------------------------
milesd-at-US.ibm.com on 2001-05-02 07:33:29 To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com-at-SMTP cc:
Hello All.
Being an electronics technician, I only know enough about optics to be dangerous, but use microscopes often. I am trying to understand what we have, in order to figure out what else could help us out. I would appreciate information for a "layman", or pointers web sites that might enlighten me.
First, I need help understanding the markings on our objective lenses. The question marks indicate what I don't even have an inkling of the meaning.
#1: Zeiss (The maker of our LSM & this lens) Epiplan-NEOFLUAR ( ? ) 100x/0,90 (magnification/numerical aperture) 44 23 80 ( ? )
#3 research devices (The maker) infrared (illumination designed for) Trans 100 IRN ( ? ; mag ; near IR ? ) 0.90 ( NA )
Is it possible to calculate the working distance from the available information?
When a lens is made for infrared use, what is different about it? Are the lens coatings different, or totally absent? Is the lens glass special?
If you read this far, thank you! I thought I would find the answers to these questions, and many more, on an episode of "Soap," but it didn't work. The list is a wonderful pool of knowledge, so don't fail me now!
Greetings to Prof Holland Cheng, Prof Alex Hyatt and all list users.
I worked in a multi-users laboratory and we have facilities equipped for cryo TEM. I have been asked by my colleague to post the following questions:
1. Is it necessary to chemically fixed virus-infected samples for cryo TEM? 2. What are the methods and precautions for cryo TEM of unfixed virus-infected cells? 2. How to dispose the LN2? 3. What are the differences between chemically fixed and unfixed virus-infected samples for cryo TEM?
Hi, I saw your post and thought you might be interested in this...
When you access the Internet, your computer keeps permanent hidden records of your activities! I recently tried EE and I was shocked at what it uncovered on my hard drive.....It actually frightened me. It showed all that I had been doing even though I had deleted it. My advice is to check it out NOW I found it at http://ee1.20m.com Regards, Harry
If the ratio in magnifications between steps is only about 3x, you should be able to easily locate common features between successive pictures. You should have some overlap in magnification between your regular microscope and your ESEM. If not, I am sure you should not have more than a 3-fold difference. We often take an overview picture with a macro camera of concrete samples before putting them into the SEM. That is usually stretching a bit because we are going from 1x for our overview to 20x in the SEM and it is much harder to locate the same areas over that big a jump.
Of course, if you could scribe some marks outside the bone, that can provide you with registration points.
Warren
At 05:44 PM 5/1/2001 -0500, you wrote:
} Email: A.K.Kodd-at-stud.tue.nl } Name: Koen Kodde } } Organization: Technical University of Eindhoven } } Education: Graduate College } } Location: Eindhoven, Noord braband, The Netherlands } } Question: L.S. } I'm doing a survey on bone tissue under the microscope. I want to make the } bone tissue visible from a large overview with a regular microscope to a } small overview with a (E)SEM. Do you have any experience with this kind of } survey's. What kind of problems can I run into (e.g. How can I mark the } piece of bone so that I always will see the same spot of bone under the } different microscopes?). Do you have reports of other students that have } done a study alike this one. } At forehand thanks for your time } cheers } koen kodde } student medical engineering
---------------------- Warren E. Straszheim Materials Analysis and Research Lab Iowa State University 23 Town Engineering Ames IA, 50011-3232
A meeting organised by the Royal Microscopical Society and supported by EMAG, FEI UK Ltd, JEOL (UK) Ltd.,LEO EM Inc., Gatan UK, TVIPS GmbH
Department of Materials, Oxford University
Tuesday 3 July 2001
The past three years have seen a remarkable growth in field-emission-gun transmission electron microscopy (FEGTEM). Following the pattern of the two previous events, this meeting will focus both on novel instrumentation developments and on applications to a wide range of problems in the life sciences and the physical materials sciences.
There will be a small number of invited speakers, including
Dr Steven Fuller (Oxford University) Dr Owen Saxton (Cambridge University) Dr Rik Brydson (Leeds University)
representing these aspects of the subject.
The majority of the programme will be devoted to contributed papers. Contributions on all aspects of FEGTEM are now being sought. Abstracts should be sent as soon as possible (and in any case not later than 31 May 2001) to john.hutchison-at-materials.ox.ac.uk, from whom further information may be obtained.
A downloadable registration form, are available at: http://www.rms.org.uk/current%20events.html#fegtem
Further details are available from the organisers: Dr John Hutchison, tel +44 (0)1865 273705, john.hutchison-at-materials.ox.ac.uk Dr Rafal Dunin-Borkowski, tel +44 (0)1223 334564, rafal.db-at-msm.cam.ac.uk
Note. This meeting is timed to precede immediately the one-day EFTEM meting to be held on 4 July 2001, also in Oxford.
Rafal Dunin-Borkowski Department of Materials Science University of Cambridge Pembroke Street Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK Tel +44 1223 334564 rafal.db-at-msm.cam.ac.uk Fax +44 1223 334567 http://www-hrem.msm.cam.ac.uk/~rdb/
In a message dated 5/1/2001 3:59:27 PM Mountain Daylight Time, thomasf-at-AGC.BIO.NS.CA writes:
} Just a general question for the List - are those 10mm x 10mm cylindrical } copper (or Al) Jeol type stubs still in wide usage in the SEM community? Do } newer Jeol machines still use them?
The JEOL 5900, which is currently their main conventional model, uses a 3/8" x 3/8" (9.5 mm x 9.5 mm) stub. The older JEOL 840 and 6000 series typically use a 12.3 mm x 12.3 mm stub.
I quickly checked a few old catalogs and found the prices to range from about USD $15 to $100 for 100 of these types of Al stubs (the 9.5mm stubs seem to be about 1/2 the price of the larger size).
Joe _________________________________________ Joe Nabity, Ph.D. JC Nabity Lithography Systems E-Beam Lithography using Commercial SEMs & STEMs PO Box 5354, Bozeman, MT 59717 USA Voice: (406) 587-0848 FAX: (406) 586-9514 E-mail: info-at-jcnabity.com Web: www.jcnabity.com
Dinner Choices: (Indicate Choice when RSVP'ing) Red Snapper, Basque Style London Broil Grilled, Fresh Vegetables & Smoked Mozzarella with Herbs in Puff Pastry
RSVP: On-line at http://www.amplifyllc.com/go/ncss. Preferred method. (Can use credit cards.) Or, email steve.rabin-at-alza.com. Or, call Steve Rabin at 1-650-564-5315
PLEASE RSVP BY MONDAY APRIL 30th.
(Please let us know if you're coming for dinner, or just the talk for headcount purposes)
****************** ABSTRACT ******************
Magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) has been employed to investigate solvent transport phenomena in glassy and rubbery macromolecular systems. Time-dependent proton or fluorine imaging of solvent uptake allows one to distinguish between two different transport mechanisms. An exponential solvent concentration profile observed in the case of rubbery networks is consistent with Fickian behavior. In glassy systems, however, where solvent
induces a glass-to-rubber phase transition of the network, an extremely sharp solvent front is observed which propagates through the specimen as a shock wave at constant velocity which is typical of anomalous transport. MRM analysis forms the basis of a model of anomalous transport in macromolecular solids which couples diffusion of solvent with kinetics of the phase transition of the network. Analysis of solvent transport kinetics, front velocities, molecular diffusion constants and localized chain
****************** DIRECTIONS TO DAVID'S RESTAURANT ******************
David's Restaurant, 5151 Stars and Stripes Drive (off Tasman Dr., Santa Clara CA, at the Santa Clara Golf club)
} From the East Bay: Take 680 or 880 to Highway 237 toward Mountain View. Stay on 237 until the Great America Parkway exit. Follow Great America Parkway to Tasman Dr, take a left on Tasman. Approximately 0.5 miles on the left, turn left onto Centennial Drive. David's will be in front of you.
} From San Jose Take 101 North to Great America Parkway. Take Great America Parkway to Tasman Drive, turn right on Tasman. Approximately 0.5 miles on the left, turn left onto Centennial Drive. David's will be in front of you.
} From the Peninsula Take 101 South to Highway 237 toward Milpitas. Exit at Great America Parkway. Follow Great America Parkway to Tasman Dr, take a left on Tasman. Approximately 0.5 miles on the left, turn left onto Centennial Drive. David's will be in front of you.
Dear List, I have noticed some recent inquiries about resolution changes with Energy Dispersive Spectrometers and also the reported solutions. There seems to be some misinformation about the use and maintenance of these detectors. These detectors are basically a closed vacuum chamber which over time can have water vapor and other gases enter the system through the entrance window in the case of Light Element Windows or general out gassing due to deterioration of o-ring seals etc. When water vapor is present in the system it will collect on the cold finger of the detector and as such will create an ice layer on the Si(Li) crystal since it is also at near LN2 temperature. When this occurs, resolution of the detector degrades. One of the solutions reported was to allow the detector to warm up to room temperature and clean the dewar. Unfortunately this will only allow the process to reoccur in a short period of time. What is necessary is a thorough pump-out and bake-out of the detector after replacing various vacuum seals. This can only be accomplished by experienced technical personnel with the appropriate vacuum pump station. Obviously one can return the detector to the original manufacturer or some other repair facility. My company, X-Ray Optics/AAT is one of these EDX repair facilities and if anyone is interested they may contact me through my web site at www.xraydetectors.com I hope this information is useful to the members of the listserver. Regards, Jim Nicolino
Just a reminder--there is still time to pre-register (deadline Friday, May 4th) for the 18th Annual Woods Hole Symposium, May 11-12th at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Woods Hole, MA. This meeting is sponsored by the New England Society for Microscopy (NESM).
This meeting not only includes excellent biological and materials science speakers, but a symposium on "Remote Access Microsocpy" on Saturday morning.
I would like to direct listserver members to NESM's website which can be accessed directly (see below) or through the MSA website under affiliate societies. The url is: http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MSALAS/NESM/
Complete information re: the above mentioned symposium,including the program, plus registration forms and contacts can be found on this website under April Newsletter.
Hope to see many of you there!
Peggy Sherwood Corresponding Secretary, NESM -- Peggy Sherwood Lab Associate, Photopathology Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine (W224) Massachusetts General Hospital 50 Blossom Street Boston, MA 02114 617-724-4839 (voice mail) 617-726-6983 (lab) 617-726-3192 (fax) sherwood-at-helix.mgh.harvard.edu
Hello- I am planning a periodic acid - Shiff stain for basement membrane in mouse skin. I understand there are two methods - one with alcoholic solutions and one with aqueous solutions. Does anyone have experience with this stain, and could you advise me in the choice of method? Any other advice would be quite welcome as well. Thanks!
Lara Muffley Dermatology Dept University of Washington Seattle, WA muffley-at-u.washington.edu
sample holders for JEOL 100CX-2000EXII model TEMs for sale:
gatan hot stage sample holders. both furnaces in working order; holders include one hexnut lockring AND thermocouple controller (sorry, no power wires--lost!): --#1 in good condition, $9000 OBO (gatan power supply model #580-0300) --#2 lightly stripped hex nut assembly (doesn't tighten all the way) in furnace, mA display on power supply (gatan power supply model #628-0500) a bit jumpy but TC reads temperature fine, $4000 OBO
extra washers (gatan part #628-0223) and hex nut tool (gatan part #608-0005) NOT included with the above holders.
Dera Postmaster You sent the wrong mail to wrong person. Pleases do not mail to me. My mail box are full. Kindly delete my name out of your groups mail. Thanks postmaster Best Reagrds, SU
Dr. Neuhaus, who contacted MSA and offered to donate a vintage light microscope, informs us that the instrument is on its way to a new home. See below.
I sense that he was a tiny bit overwhelmed by the size of the positive response he received.
Thanks, listers!!
Ron
Ron Anderson, IBM, Hopewell Jct., New York, USA. anderron-at-us.ibm.com
IBM Analytical Services; http://www.chips.ibm.com/services/asg ---------------------- Forwarded by Ronald Anderson/Fishkill/IBM on 05/02/2001 10:49 AM ---------------------------
"g. neuhaus" {ulmithaca-at-home.com} on 04/29/2001 06:47:28 PM
To: Ronald Anderson/Fishkill/IBM-at-IBMUS cc:
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by (dinesh-at-astra.iisc.ernet.in) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Thursday, May 3, 2001 at 05:19:42 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: dinesh-at-astra.iisc.ernet.in Name: Dinesh
Organization: Indian Institute of Science
Education: Graduate College
Location: Banagalore, Karnataka, India
Question: What is the wavelength and excitation required for identification of methane bacteria using fluorescence microscope.
{HTML} {FONT FACE=arial,helvetica} {FONT SIZE=2} Anyone done a tech time and cost analysis lately. Looking to compare notes. {BR} {BR} John Hoffpauir {BR} Cooper hospital {/FONT} {/HTML}
__________________________________________________ David Chiluiza USM, Institute of Marine Sciences Gulf Coast Research Laboratory 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 39566-7000
Has anyone had experience with mounting an electron backscatter diffraction camera on an Amray FESEM 1845 round chamber? There is an EDS spectrometer already mounted on the chamber opposite the stage on the tilt side. This appears to leave a small port if the apertures can be relocated or a larger one if a fiber optic is feasible.
A friend of mine who makes excellent educational videos asked me a question today that I couldn't answer offhand. Will some old-timer please help my fading memory?
} ...when were the first EMs of chloroplasts (showing grana) produced? My } vague } guess was around 1949, but I can't find a definitive reference.
Please copy your response directly to him: bruce russell {biomedia-at-mail.telis.net}
Caroline
Caroline Schooley Project MICRO Coordinator Microscopy Society of America Box 117, 45301 Caspar Point Road Caspar, CA 95420 Phone/FAX (707)964-9460 Project MICRO: http://www.msa.microscopy.com/ProjectMicro/PMHomePage.html Intertidal invertebrates: http://www.fortbragg.k12.ca.us/AG/marinelab.html
I am not at all familiar with the 1845. Way back when, we put BSE on our old JEOL U3. There were four solid state detectors that were fastened to the bottom of the pole piece with double stick tape. We also put BSE on our JEOL 840A. That was JEOL's system and it also fit to the bottom of the pole piece. Now we have a Robinson on a Hitachi 2460N which comes in from the side. We also have Oxford's Tetra with an array of detectors. Ours is set to slide in when needed.
I don't know why you couldn't mount a detector permanently to the pole piece and wire it to a feed thru on any port. Hopefully the BSE detector folks could work with you on this.
At 01:17 PM 5/3/2001 -0400, you wrote:
} Fellow listers, } } Has anyone had experience with mounting an electron backscatter diffraction } camera on an Amray FESEM 1845 round chamber? There is an EDS spectrometer } already mounted on the chamber opposite the stage on the tilt side. This } appears to leave a small port if the apertures can be relocated or a larger } one if a fiber optic is feasible. } } Thanks, } } Dave Audette } } david.audette-at-sylvania.com
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by (yarrabee-at-caboolture.net.au) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Thursday, May 3, 2001 at 19:52:32 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: yarrabee-at-caboolture.net.au Name: Eliza
Organization: QUT
Education: Undergraduate College
Location: Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Question: Hello. I was wondering if someone could tell me what the best method is of isolating mitchondria from rat liver cells for TEM analysis?
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by (barkdoll-at-acadia.net) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Thursday, May 3, 2001 at 23:43:49 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Question: I hope these questions are appropriate for this forum.
I am trying to planning to take high quality photomicrographs using a steromicroscope. I currently use a Russian made microscope and SLR body connected to an eyepiece tube. I have not been happy with this setup because of a noticeable degradation of image quaility towards the edges and difficulty of use. I am looking into upgrading to a system with fewer of these problems.
I have looked at literature from Nikon (SMZ series) and Olympus (SZ, SZH series) and received some quotes from distributors, however I am not tied to these manufacturers.
My questions are: 1) is there any source for "reviews" or published tests of particular microscopes? 2) how marked a difference should I expect between PLAN and PLAN-APO objectives? 3) my SLR does not have mirror lock-up - I'm willing to get a 35 mm back if warranted - how significant is the lack of MLU with an SLR an image quality? 4) some of the scopes are not inexpensive - what are some good ways for me to avoid getting a something that really exceeds my needs in image quality?
You have asked how to isolate rat liver mitochondria for TEM analysis. I ask why do you want to isolate them? If your interest is just in the ultrastructrure of the mitochondria themselves, then the easiest thing to do is fix and process the whole tissue. The liver is absolutely loaded with mitochondria and you will have plenty of them to look at. If your interest is more specific, then please elaborate on your project. Good luck in your endeavors, Tim
Timothy G. Schneider Director of Electron Microscopy Department of Pathology Room 229 Jefferson Hall Thomas Jefferson University 1020 Locust St. Philadelphia Pa. 19107 215-503-4798 work 610-613-8170 cellular timothy.schneider-at-mail.tju.edu
The enucleated eyes must be punctured at the ora serrata with a razor blade and then fixed by immersion in a mixture of 2% paraformaldehyde and 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer at pH 7.3 for 4-5 h. After removal of the cornea and lens the eyes are then rinse overnight in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer containing 3% sucrose and post fixed in 2% osmium tetroxide in the same buffer for 2h at room temperature in the same buffer before dehydration and so on.
Ref: W.C. Yang, M.L. Hollenberg, and J.P.H. Wyse. Morphology of the retinal pigment epithelium in the vitamin A deficient rat. Virchows Arch. B Cell Path. 27, 7-21(1978)
Ann Fook Yang EM Unit, Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre, Rm 2091, K.W. Neatby Bldg., Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0C6
Phone: 613-759-1638 Fax; 613-759-1701
} } } "Quinn, Tim Lee" {tquinn-at-ku.edu} 04/30 10:22 AM } } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Fellow microscopists:
Does anyone have a good protocol for retina fixation for TEM?
I'm dealing with specimens collected in the field and it appears that the initial field fix- "cacodylate and glut" did not preserve the "rods and cones".
A good recomendation for a field fix would be appreciated. Would Karnovsky's work?
I also need to fix frog skin tissue, causing minimal shrinkage. Any suggestions?
I just recently read a job announcement, and it included that an EMSA certification would be preferred. Through some inquiries, I found that EMSA is the Electron Microscopy Society of America and I obtained a phone number for them (In Mass). However, I've searched the web and many microsopy sites and there seems to be no mention of this organization anywhere. This, along with the phone number being a private residence, leads me to believe this society has either renamed themselves or has disbanded. I was wondering if anyone has any information on ESMA or any other organization that offers a professional certification program for electron microscopy. If there are programs, I would also appreciate a critique on which are the best, and if a certification is even necessary for careers in electron microscopy. Any and all info is very helpful. Thanks.
Steve Wintonick
_________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
Hi Guys, Can anyone give a list of activities that constitute routine maintenance of an SEM particulaly a LEO 1450 model with only secondary electron detector. Thanks Soji
Mr. O. O. ILORI DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONIC/ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE, OSUN STATE NIGERIA.
You may isolate mitochondria from homogenated tissue by using Percoll gradient. It's actually one step procedure. Percoll is iso-osmotic, it'll prevent mitochondria from damage. I don't remember details, but you have to mix your homogenate with buffer and Percoll in some proportion and centrifuge at low speed for about an hour. Than you will see the reddish mitochondria layer. You may remove Percoll by centrifugation at higher speed if necessary. I did some neg-staining of mitochondria couple of years ago. If you need detailed protocol, let me know, I have to check my old records.
Sergey.
} Date: Fri, 04 May 2001 10:04:25 -0400 } From: Timothy Schneider {Timothy.Schneider-at-mail.tju.edu} } Subject: RATS R US } To: microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } Reply-to: Timothy.Schneider-at-mail.tju.edu } X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook CWS, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2910.0) } Importance: Normal } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
_____________________________________
Sergey Ryazantsev Ph. D. Electron Microscopy UCLA School of Medicine Department of Biological Chemistry Box 951737 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1737
If you are working with magnification of less the 80x you will probably have better luck with an extention bellows and a reversed Kodak Ektar Cine lens.
It will be a great deal easier on you pocket book as well.
Our eyes ignore a great deal of distortion that a camera quickly catches.
If you decide to buy a new scope or one new to you either test it at the dealers or buy it with the understanding that you can return it if it doesn't perform as you expect.
Stereo microscopes are not very good platforms for photography. Conventional macro photography methods are usually much better though less convineint.
Gordon Gordon Couger gcouger-at-couger.com Stillwater, OK www.couger.com/gcouger
} } Question: I hope these questions are appropriate for this } forum. } } I am trying to planning to take high quality photomicrographs using a } steromicroscope. I currently use a Russian made microscope and SLR } body connected to an eyepiece tube. I have not been happy with this } setup because of a noticeable degradation of image quaility towards } the edges and difficulty of use. I am looking into upgrading to a } system with fewer of these problems. } } I have looked at literature from Nikon (SMZ series) and Olympus (SZ, } SZH series) and received some quotes from distributors, however I am } not tied to these manufacturers. } } My questions are: } 1) is there any source for "reviews" or published tests of particular } microscopes? } 2) how marked a difference should I expect between PLAN and PLAN-APO } objectives? } 3) my SLR does not have mirror lock-up - I'm willing to get a 35 mm } back if warranted - how significant is the lack of MLU with an SLR an } image quality? } 4) some of the scopes are not inexpensive - what are some good ways } for me to avoid getting a something that really exceeds my needs in } image quality? } } Thank you very much, } Edwin Barkdoll V.M.D, Ph.D. } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --- }
Congratulations! You've already found "EMSA" even if you didn't realize it. EMSA became MSA, the Microscopy Society of America, a few years ago (1993? My, how time has flown!). You're already on the MSA listserver. The society homepage is at:
http://www.msa.microscopy.com/
For information on MSA certification, you can follow the links from MSA's homepage or from:
Certification is NOT necessary for a career in electron microscopy, but it may be required for a specific job opening. It does offer prospective employers some confirmation that you have the necessary background knowledge and skills to safely and successfully play with their expensive toys. The MSA certification is directed more toward biological microscopy (specifically biological TEM) than materials science microscopy.
Participation in some of the microscopy courses and training opportunities mentioned/promoted on the Listserver could also serve as assurance to prospective employers. I believe there are at least two colleges that offer degrees or certifications specifically in electron microscopy (one in California & one in Wisconsin???). Then there are places such as McCrone Research Institute that offer specialty microscopy degrees (e.g. Chemical Microscopy Certification at http://www.mcri.org/) which may include electron microscopy components along with light microscopy techniques.
There are also a few jobs like 'SEM technician - high school diploma required, SEM experience preferred' - a current, shiftwork job posting here in Massachusetts. Somehow I doubt that 'microscopist' will have any upward mobility unless he is VERY lucky and/or improves his education level.
Hope this has been helpful. I'm sure you'll get lots of other replies.
- Louise Harner
Louise Harner Research Microscopist Albany International Research Co. 777 West Street, P.O. Box 9114 Mansfield, MA 02048 508-339-7300 phone 508-339-4996 fax Louise_Harner-at-albint.com
"steven wintonick" To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com {crimsem-at-hotm cc: ail.com} Subject: EMSA Certifcation???
2001/05/04 10:48 AM
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Hello,
I just recently read a job announcement, and it included that an EMSA certification would be preferred. Through some inquiries, I found that EMSA is the Electron Microscopy Society of America and I obtained a phone number for them (In Mass). However, I've searched the web and many microsopy sites and there seems to be no mention of this organization anywhere. This, along with the phone number being a private residence, leads me to believe this society has either renamed themselves or has disbanded. I was wondering if anyone has any information on ESMA or any other organization that offers a professional certification program for electron microscopy. If there are programs, I would also appreciate a critique on which are the best, and if a certification is even necessary for careers in electron microscopy. Any and all info is very helpful. Thanks.
Steve Wintonick
_________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
Does anyone have any procedures to do Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) for routine E.M. morphology. I.e.... collect, fix, rinse, dehydrate, infiltrate, and embed in an epoxy resin.
Ron Austin Dept of Pathology LSUMC Shreveport, LA rla-at-mindspring.com
Routine maintenance of an instrument like the LEO falls into the following areas -
1. Cleaning the cathode assembly each time you change a filament
2. Cleaning the anode every other time you change a filament
4. Using a chamois leather (washed oil free) to wipe round the gun chamber each time you change a filament
5. Keeping spare apertures for each part of the system (ask the service engineer or check in the manual).
5. Using a vacuum cleaner to clean up inside the apecimen area every few weeks.
That should keep you going but if you need more information our interactive Cd "Monitoring & Maintaining EM Performance" will tell you all you need to know about how the instrument works, which areas to check, how to check them and how to clean them if they are found to be a problem.
Good luck
Steve Chapman Senior Consultant, Protrain For professional training in SEM, TEM and EDX world wide www.emcourses.com
I have not used the Nikon stereo but I have used the Olympus SZ series and currently use a SZH10. The SZ has integrated objectives but will accommodate auxillary objectives. This scope is a good unit and is mostly a plastic-type unit. The SZH10 is metal and uses a screw-in objective or two objectives on a rotating turret. For most work, I really can't see any remarkable difference between Plan and PlanAPO objectives. I use a 1.0X PlanAPO on my SZH10 and 0.5X and 0.75X Plan objectives. The SZ scopes are rather good and are not horribly expensive. They do a good job.
I agree that trying take pix with an SLR is not only difficult but just about impossible--so to speak. The SLR must have a plain ground glass focusing screen or focusing will be a real challenge. It is a challenge even with the correct focusing screen. Mirror lock up and manual exposure is also highly desirable. The other problem (very subtle and quite frustrating) is that to get good pix with a stereo zoom, the metering system should be a spot meter type. The central portion of interest (assuming a non-uniform subject) will not properly expose (usually is way over exposed) when metered using normal averaging mode. So, spot meter, AE lock or manual mode, then mirror lock up and shoot.
The unevenness you may see on an SLR pix is due to vignetting as a result of the adapter between camera and scope. A different adapter should correct this.
If you are looking for truly high quality pix and want to do this with ease, I found that a camera system optimized for microphotography is necessary. For the Olympus line, the PM10-ADS is an automatic camera system with a leaf shutter. With this system, there is no shake at all. Unfortunately, I believe that this system has been discontinued. Their PM10-AD is an averaging meter system and is also discontinued. The PM-20 and PM-30 are newer systems and are quite expensive ($12K-$25K I think).
For digital cameras, I found that the Pixera units are outstanding. I use the Penguin 600CL. It is a cooled 5.8M pixel (2776x2074) camera which takes 17MB RGB TIFF and other format images in perfect rendition. This camera costs about $8500. The un-cooled version costs about $6600. The 1.5M pixel model costs about $6600. Their 1.2M pixel un-cooled camera (150ES) costs about $3700. These are complete camera systems which include a PCI card, real-time focusing interface, image capture and image viewing software for PC or Mac.
If you would like more information about any of these units, please contact me off-line.
Gary Gaugler, Ph.D. Optical Reflections 7970 Twin Rocks Rd Granite Bay, CA 95746-8111 916.791.8191 916.791.8186 fax
Disclaimer: I am an authorized dealer for these and other photographic and software products.
http://photoweb.net
At 06:38 AM 5/4/2001, you wrote:
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by (barkdoll-at-acadia.net) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Thursday, May 3, 2001 at 23:43:49 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Question: I hope these questions are appropriate for this forum.
I am trying to planning to take high quality photomicrographs using a steromicroscope. I currently use a Russian made microscope and SLR body connected to an eyepiece tube. I have not been happy with this setup because of a noticeable degradation of image quaility towards the edges and difficulty of use. I am looking into upgrading to a system with fewer of these problems.
I have looked at literature from Nikon (SMZ series) and Olympus (SZ, SZH series) and received some quotes from distributors, however I am not tied to these manufacturers.
My questions are: 1) is there any source for "reviews" or published tests of particular microscopes? 2) how marked a difference should I expect between PLAN and PLAN-APO objectives? 3) my SLR does not have mirror lock-up - I'm willing to get a 35 mm back if warranted - how significant is the lack of MLU with an SLR an image quality? 4) some of the scopes are not inexpensive - what are some good ways for me to avoid getting a something that really exceeds my needs in image quality?
The Microscopy and Microanalysis -2001 Program Search Engine is now on-line.
Using this search engine you can determine the time, location of and title of any presentation during the August Meeting in Long Beach.
You may reach this from the MSA WWW Site
http://www.msa.microscopy.com
then follow the links to the Microscopy & Microanalysis 2001 Meeting. You can also use it to view a detailed program listing for any day of the week, prior to receiving your hard copy of the program.
Regards to everyone. I am a graduate student at University of Southern Mississippi and I am seeking for a summer course in Scanning electron microscopy, preferably focused in biological analysis (I wook with fish larvae). If someone have knowledge of any course, please, let me know, I will thanks any information. Sincerely, David Chiluiza
__________________________________________________ David Chiluiza USM, Institute of Marine Sciences Gulf Coast Research Laboratory 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 39566-7000
I think some of you will have an interest in the following, very sad news:
Prof. Dr. Ludwig Reimer (Muenster, Germany) died on April 29th, 2001.
I don't know how to express this correctly in english, but I feel it as a very big loss. I will leave it to others to review his scientific contributions to the community, I know him best as teacher to his students to whom he was always devoted.
Just wanted to let you know...
Petra Wahlbring -------------------------------------
Dr. Petra Wahlbring Centre de Recherche Gabriel Lippmann Laboratoire d'Analyse des Matériaux 162a, avenue de la Faiencerie L-1511 Luxembourg petra.wahlbring-at-crpgl.lu
I need to be away for two weeks, and would like opinions on what is best to do with an EDS detector, LN2-wise, while away. My options appear to be:
1. Leave everything on as normal. Don't really want to do this - I have someone I trust to keep the LN2 dewar full, but not really handle the microscope if something like a power failure or worse occurs.
2. Leave scope off, keep LN2 in EDS, hope residual vacuum in SEM is adequate for two weeks. I'm guessing it's best to power off the detector and computer, regardless.
3. Power down EDS, running detector through it's conditioning cycle, leave everything off and at room temperature.
4. Stay home, chained to the system.
Thoughts, experiences greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Jim
--
James M. Ehrman Digital Microscopy Facility Mount Allison University Sackville, NB E4L 1G7 CANADA
It's truly a big loss to electron microscopy community. Last mid-night, I just bought the new addition of his famous book "Transmission Electron Microscopy : Physics of Image Formation and Microanalysis (4th Ed)(Springer Series in Optical Sciences, Vol 36)" from Amazon.com. Didn't realize that it would be his last addition of the book. -cy
-----Original Message----- } From: Petra Wahlbring [mailto:petra.wahlbring-at-nexgo.de] Sent: Monday, May 07, 2001 2:03 AM To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
Dear Colleagues,
I think some of you will have an interest in the following, very sad news:
Prof. Dr. Ludwig Reimer (Muenster, Germany) died on April 29th, 2001.
I don't know how to express this correctly in english, but I feel it as a very big loss. I will leave it to others to review his scientific contributions to the community, I know him best as teacher to his students to whom he was always devoted.
Just wanted to let you know...
Petra Wahlbring -------------------------------------
Dr. Petra Wahlbring Centre de Recherche Gabriel Lippmann Laboratoire d'Analyse des Matériaux 162a, avenue de la Faiencerie L-1511 Luxembourg petra.wahlbring-at-crpgl.lu
In your situation, and assuming I absolutely trusted the assistant with keeping the Liq. N2 up, I would use your option 2. Certainly turn off the detector and computer.
Tony Garratt-Reed
} Hi Listers, } } I need to be away for two weeks, and would like opinions } on what is best to do with an EDS detector, LN2-wise, while } away. My options appear to be: } } 1. Leave everything on as normal. Don't really want to do this - I have } someone I trust to keep the LN2 dewar full, but not really handle the } microscope if something like a power failure or worse occurs. } } 2. Leave scope off, keep LN2 in EDS, hope residual vacuum in SEM } is adequate for two weeks. I'm guessing it's best to power off the } detector and computer, regardless. } } 3. Power down EDS, running detector through it's conditioning cycle, } leave everything off and at room temperature. } } 4. Stay home, chained to the system. } } Thoughts, experiences greatly appreciated. } } Cheers, } } Jim } } -- } } James M. Ehrman } Digital Microscopy Facility } Mount Allison University } Sackville, NB E4L 1G7 } CANADA } } phone: 506-364-2519 } fax: 506-364-2505 } email: jehrman-at-mta.ca } www: http://www.mta.ca/~jehrman }
** Anthony J. Garratt-Reed ** MIT Room # 13-1027 ** 77 Massachusetts Avenue ** Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 ** USA ** ** Phone: (+) 1-617-253-4622 ** Fax: (+) 1-617-258-6478 **
I think some of you will have an interest in the following, very sad news:
Prof. Dr. Ludwig Reimer (Muenster, Germany) died on April 29th, 2001.
I don't know how to express this correctly in english, but I feel it as a very big loss. I will leave it to others to review his scientific contributions to the community, I know him best as teacher to his students to whom he was always devoted.
Just wanted to let you know...
That is, indeed, very sad news. I met Ludwig when I was visiting the CNRS to learn EELS. Not only was he very helpful professionally, but we also shared many meals and as trip to Toulouse Latreck's birthplace. Bill Tivol
Could anyone help me with a good fixation protocol for marine fish larvae (1-5mm) for SEM? I have been using glutaraldehyde + Osmium tetroxide and in bloc staining with Uranyl acetate for TEM but I understand that osmolarity is a very important factor in SEM.
Do you think I can analyze in SEM the samples fixed for TEM?
Thanks a lot for any help. David Chiluiza
__________________________________________________ David Chiluiza USM, Institute of Marine Sciences Gulf Coast Research Laboratory 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 39566-7000
----- Original Message ----- } From: "James M. Ehrman" {jehrman-at-mta.ca} To: "Microscopy Listserv" {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} Sent: Monday, May 07, 2001 5:15 AM
A faculty member brought me some 10 year old samples embedded in Glycol-Methacrylate. He would like some thick sections 1-2microns. What's the best way to section and handle these to get good flat sections? Also is there any solvent which would dissolve the blocks so that the samples could be reembedded in another resin? All advice appreciated, thanks
Could anyone help me with a good fixation protocol for marine fish larvae (1-5mm) for SEM? I have been using glutaraldehyde + Osmium tetroxide and in bloc staining with Uranyl acetate for TEM but I understand that osmolarity is a very important factor in SEM.
Do you think I can analyze in SEM the samples fixed for TEM?
Thanks a lot for any help. David Chiluiza
__________________________________________________ David Chiluiza USM, Institute of Marine Sciences Gulf Coast Research Laboratory 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 39566-7000
Does anyone know a good method for finding platinum in a cell? I am treating with platinum drugs and was wondering if I could localize platinum binding sites via TEM EDS analysis. Any help is appreciated!
Thank you,
Dale
-- ##################### Dale J. Telgenhoff # Zoology Department # Michigan State U. # (517) 355-3326 # telgenh4-at-msu.edu # #####################
"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will sit in a boat & drink beer all day."
My answer is 3. Turn it off and let it warm up. Answer 2 is strange because the dewar vacuum is independent of the SEM vacuum. This what the window is for. If a windowless detector then no problem with warm up. See below
This answer assumes that system is reasonable new. Why? Because what happens when the EDS detector warms up is not a detector problem, it is a vacuum problem. If the vacsorb material inside the dewar warms up and it is full it will release the adsorbed gases to the dewar vacuum. New detectors (less than three years old) without obvious vacuum problems or degraded resolution now days can be warmed up without problems. In fact now days EDS systems are shipped dry by the manufacturers. We used to ship them cold in the seventies but that day has past. When I worked for Kevex and before that at Tracor Xray we saw very few problems when dewars warmed up except some freak problems. Freak problem did include windows blowing outwards and failure to cool down again. Then again I have met occasional EDS users who only cool the detector when they need to use it! They do fine.
Ron Vane XEI Scientific
-----Original Message----- } From: James M. Ehrman {jehrman-at-mta.ca} To: Microscopy Listserv {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com}
I am a graduate student of Portland State University. I will take part in the Microscopy & Microanalysis, 2001 from August 5 to August 9. I will reserve room from the Westin Long Beach and want to share it with another male candidate.Please let me know as soon as possible once you are intrested in it.
You can get the information about Westin Long Beach from http://www.pkghlrss.com/liveres/res.asp
Base rate $139 (Nightly rates may vary.)
Sincerely,
Lifeng
Lifeng Dong Physics Department Portland State University P.O.Box 751 Portland,OR,97207-0751 U.S.A Tel:503-725-8061 Fax:503-725-3888
{html} {head} {/head} {body} Earl, {br} He's trying to have a life! The correct answer lies behind door #2. Just keep the dewar cold and the electronics off. Your vacuum system status is optional, depending upon the system and how well it protects itself. {br} Ken Converse {br} owner {br} Quality Images {br} third party SEM service {br} Delta, PA {br} {br} Earl Weltmer wrote: {br} {blockquote type="cite" cite="mid:000701c0d73c$90dbafe0$428ccd3f-at-pacbell.net"} {pre wrap=""} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ {br} The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America {br} To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to {a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com"} ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com {/a} {br} On-Line Help {a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html"} http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html {/a} {br} -----------------------------------------------------------------------. {br} {br} {br} Stay home is probably your safest bet. {br} {br} Earl {br} {br} ----- Original Message ----- {br} {/pre} {blockquote type="cite"} {pre wrap=""} From: "James M. Ehrman" {a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:jehrman-at-mta.ca"} <jehrman-at-mta.ca> {/a} {br} {/pre} {/blockquote} {pre wrap=""} {!----} To: "Microscopy Listserv" {a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com"} <Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com> {/a} {br} Sent: Monday, May 07, 2001 5:15 AM {br} Subject: what to do with unattended EDS on SEM {br} {br} {br} {/pre} {blockquote type="cite"} {pre wrap=""} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ {br} The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America {br} To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to {a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com"} ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com {/a} {br} On-Line Help {a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html"} http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html {/a} {br} -----------------------------------------------------------------------. {br} {br} {br} Hi Listers, {br} {br} I need to be away for two weeks, and would like opinions {br} on what is best to do with an EDS detector, LN2-wise, while {br} away. My options appear to be: {br} {br} 1. Leave everything on as normal. Don't really want to do this - I have {br} someone I trust to keep the LN2 dewar full, but not really handle the {br} microscope if something like a power failure or worse occurs. {br} {br} 2. Leave scope off, keep LN2 in EDS, hope residual vacuum in SEM {br} is adequate for two weeks. I'm guessing it's best to power off the {br} detector and computer, regardless. {br} {br} 3. Power down EDS, running detector through it's conditioning cycle, {br} leave everything off and at room temperature. {br} {br} 4. Stay home, chained to the system. {br} {br} Thoughts, experiences greatly appreciated. {br} {br} Cheers, {br} {br} Jim {br} {br} -- {br} {br} James M. Ehrman {br} Digital Microscopy Facility {br} Mount Allison University {br} Sackville, NB E4L 1G7 {br} CANADA {br} {br} phone: 506-364-2519 {br} fax: 506-364-2505 {br} email: {a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:jehrman-at-mta.ca"} jehrman-at-mta.ca {/a} {br} www: {a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.mta.ca/~jehrman"} http://www.mta.ca/~jehrman {/a} {br} {br} {br} {br} {/pre} {/blockquote} {/blockquote} {br} {/body} {/html}
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by (kfield-at-fast.net) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Monday, May 7, 2001 at 21:49:02 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: kfield-at-fast.net Name: Alex Field
Organization: Keith Valley Middle School
Education: 6-8th Grade Middle School
Location: Horsham, PA USA
Question: I am looking for a substage light or illuminator for an old Nikon Stereo microscope I was given. I want to be able to look at water samples from ponds at the organisms in the ponds near my home. Can you tell me where I can buy one?
As one of his students I feel a professional as well as a personal loss. I remember him as a great teacher, a good advisor, and I also recall many a bottle of Champaign when one of his students passed a final exam.
He will be missed...
Mike
Michael Bode, Ph.D. Soft Imaging System Corp. 1675 Carr St., #105N Lakewood, CO 80215 =================================== phone: (888) FIND SIS (303) 234-9270 fax: (303) 234-9271 email: mailto:info-at-soft-imaging.com web: http://www.soft-imaging.com ===================================
-----Original Message----- } From: Petra Wahlbring [mailto:petra.wahlbring-at-nexgo.de] Sent: Monday, May 07, 2001 12:03 AM To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
Dear Colleagues,
I think some of you will have an interest in the following, very sad news:
Prof. Dr. Ludwig Reimer (Muenster, Germany) died on April 29th, 2001.
I don't know how to express this correctly in english, but I feel it as a very big loss. I will leave it to others to review his scientific contributions to the community, I know him best as teacher to his students to whom he was always devoted.
Just wanted to let you know...
Petra Wahlbring -------------------------------------
Dr. Petra Wahlbring Centre de Recherche Gabriel Lippmann Laboratoire d'Analyse des Matériaux 162a, avenue de la Faiencerie L-1511 Luxembourg petra.wahlbring-at-crpgl.lu
I am working with an investigator who has been doing perfusion/fixation of rat placentas for EM immunolocalization. He is dissatisfied with the morphologic preservation and believes the problem is related to the mechanics of the perfusion.
Does anyone out there have experience doing these perfusions or know of someone that is that we could contact to get some advice on how to optimize the fixation procedure?
Thanks in advance for any help that you can offer.
Sincerely,
Jill Verlander Reed, D.V.M. Associate Scientist Director, College of Medicine Electron Microscopy Core Facility University of Florida P.O. Box 100215 Gainesville, FL 32610 verlaj-at-medicine.ufl.edu Phone: (352) 846-0820 Fax: (352) 846-3299
could you explain the rationale behind your suggestion?
I thought, the detector has to be kept cold for 2 reasons:
a) to keep the preamplifiers and detector cold for better S/N ratio b) to keep the ions (Li) in the crystal from diffusing in the electric field
If, and only if, this is correct, there is no need to keep the detector cold if the electronics and high voltage power supply are turned off. In fact, if you keep everything cold, it could attract dirt over time (cryo-trap), degrading the performance.
I agree with you on the vacuum, though. If you can, keep the scope under vacuum. If not, you may have to pump for a while to get out moisture, or perhaps even bake it out.
I could be wrong -- has happened before.
mike
Michael Bode, Ph.D. Soft Imaging System Corp. 1675 Carr St., #105N Lakewood, CO 80215 =================================== phone: (888) FIND SIS (303) 234-9270 fax: (303) 234-9271 email: {mailto:info-at-soft-imaging.com} web: {http://www.soft-imaging.com/} =================================== -----Original Message----- From: Ken Converse [mailto:qualityimages-at-netrax.net] Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2001 4:51 AM To: Earl Weltmer; MSA, listserver Subject: Re: what to do with unattended EDS on SEM
------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html -----------------------------------------------------------------------. Earl, He's trying to have a life! The correct answer lies behind door #2. Just keep the dewar cold and the electronics off. Your vacuum system status is optional, depending upon the system and how well it protects itself. Ken Converse owner Quality Images third party SEM service Delta, PA
Earl Weltmer wrote:
------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com {mailto:ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com} On-Line Help {http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html}
----- Original Message ----- From: "James M. Ehrman" {jehrman-at-mta.ca} {mailto:jehrman-at-mta.ca} To: "Microscopy Listserv" {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} {mailto:Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} Sent: Monday, May 07, 2001 5:15 AM Subject: what to do with unattended EDS on SEM
------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com {mailto:ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com} On-Line Help {http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html}
I need to be away for two weeks, and would like opinions on what is best to do with an EDS detector, LN2-wise, while away. My options appear to be:
1. Leave everything on as normal. Don't really want to do this - I have someone I trust to keep the LN2 dewar full, but not really handle the microscope if something like a power f! ailure or worse occurs.
2. Leave scope off, keep LN2 in EDS, hope residual vacuum in SEM is adequate for two weeks. I'm guessing it's best to power off the detector and computer, regardless.
3. Power down EDS, running detector through it's conditioning cycle, leave everything off and at room temperature.
4. Stay home, chained to the system.
Thoughts, experiences greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Jim
--
James M. Ehrman Digital Microscopy Facility Mount Allison University Sackville, NB E4L 1G7 CANADA
Dear Listserver, Glycol methyacrylate can be cut easily with glass knives at 1 or 2 microns. The sections are like very fine cellophane and wrinkles can be spread out by placing them on a fairly deep(3-4inches) water bath...no heat. Then, they can be picked up using a paint brush onto clean glass slides and dried and stained.
Barbara L. Plowman Univ. of the Pacific School of Dentistry 2155 Webster St. San Francisco, CA email: Bplowman-at-sf.uop.edu Ph: 415-929-6692
Sorry. The website in the last e-mail is not very exact.In fact,you can get the information about Westin Long Beach directly from
www.pkghlrss.com/events/mm2001/mm2001.html
I am a graduate student of Portland State University. I will take part in the Microscopy & Microanalysis, 2001 from August 5 to August 9. I will reserve a room from the Westin Long Beach and want to share it with another male candidate.Please let me know as soon as possible once you are intrested in it.
Base rate $139 (Nightly rates may vary.)
Thanks,
Lifeng
Lifeng Dong Physics Department Portland State University P.O.Box 751 Portland,OR,97207-0751 U.S.A Tel:503-725-8061 Fax:503-725-3888
we work on polymers containing a small fraction of carboxylic or sulfonic acids or the respective metal carboxylates and sulfonates. We currently try to map these different metal ions used to neutralize these acid groups by means of EFTEM or x-ray mapping. The metal ions are thought to cluster and form small "aggregates" within a pretty homogeneous polymer matrix. Recently, it was suggested to calculate the contrast between the polymer matrix (a C and O or C, S, and O containg material) and the metal ions in order to ensure that we are not wasting our time trying something impossible. Now: HOW do I calculate the contrast between a metal ion and a polymer matrix ? References and procedures are very welcome !
Thanks in Advance
Andreas
************************************************* Dr. Andreas Taubert Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering 3231 Walnut Street University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA 19104-6272 tel: +1 215 898 2700 fax: +1 215 573 2128
Physical Chemistry is everything for which 1/T is linear ... *************************************************
{html} {head} {/head} {body} Mike, one of the other replies to this answered the question quite well. What happens when you let it warm up is the zeolites in the dewar (this is actually a sorption pump) release what they have captured. This may then condense on the SiLi crystal, degrading resolution and sensitivity. If enough stuff has been captured by the zeolites, due to a leaking system, you will end up with more than 1 atmosphere in the dewar and blow your window outwards. {br} {br} When Kevex came out with their "super dry" detector, keeping it cold was not necessary, but if you turned the ION pump off, your warranty was null and void. Clean is the key and if you have a dewar with zeolites, that means cold, except to warm it up only enough to remove accumulated ice and then immediately cool it again. The manufacturers ship warm because the dewar was just pumped out and leak-tested, but my understanding is that you should not have it warm for more than a month total. {br} {br} Ken Converse {br} owner {br} Quality Images {br} third party SEM service {br} Delta, PA {br} {br} Mike Bode wrote: {br} {blockquote type="cite" cite="mid:D1B635C6092DD411B0700020781025DE0F6128-at-lakewood.soft-imaging.com"} {div} {font face="Arial" color="#0000ff" size="2"} {span class="056345816-08052001"} Ken, {/span} {/font} {/div} {div} {/div} {div} {font face="Arial" color="#0000ff" size="2"} {span class="056345816-08052001"} could you explain the rationale behind your suggestion? {/span} {/font} {/div} {div} {/div} {div} {font face="Arial" color="#0000ff" size="2"} {span class="056345816-08052001"} I thought, the detector has to be kept cold for 2 reasons: {/span} {/font} {/div} {div} {/div} {div} {font face="Arial" color="#0000ff" size="2"} {span class="056345816-08052001"} a) to keep the preamplifiers and detector cold for better S/N ratio {/span} {/font} {/div} {div} {font face="Arial" color="#0000ff" size="2"} {span class="056345816-08052001"} b) to keep the ions (Li) in the crystal from diffusing in the electric field {/span} {/font} {/div} {div} {/div} {div} {font face="Arial" color="#0000ff" size="2"} {span class="056345816-08052001"} If, and only if, this is correct, there is no need to keep the detector cold if the electronics and high voltage power supply are turned off. In fact, if you keep everything cold, it could attract dirt over time (cryo-trap), degrading the performance. {/span} {/font} {/div} {div} {/div} {div} {font face="Arial" color="#0000ff" size="2"} {span class="056345816-08052001"} I agree with you on the vacuum, though. If you can, keep the scope under vacuum. If not, you may have to pump for a while to get out moisture, or perhaps even bake it out. {/span} {/font} {/div} {div} {/div} {div} {font face="Arial" color="#0000ff" size="2"} {span class="056345816-08052001"} I could be wrong -- has happened before. {/span} {/font} {/div} {div} {/div} {div} {font face="Arial" color="#0000ff" size="2"} {span class="056345816-08052001"} mike {/span} {/font} {/div} {div} {/div} {p} {font face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"} Michael Bode, Ph.D. {/font} {br} {font face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"} Soft Imaging System Corp. {/font} {br} {font face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"} 1675 Carr St., #105N {/font} {br} {font face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"} Lakewood, CO 80215 {/font} {br} {font face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"} =================================== {/font} {br} {font face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"} phone: (888) FIND SIS {/font} {br} {font face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"} (303) 234-9270 {/font} {br} {font face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"} fax: (303) 234-9271 {/font} {br} {font face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"} email: {a target="_blank" href="mailto:info-at-soft-imaging.com"} mailto:info-at-soft-imaging.com {/a} {/font} {br} {font face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"} web: {a target="_blank" href="http://www.soft-imaging.com/"} http://www.soft-imaging.com {/a} {/font} {br} {font face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"} =================================== {/font} {/p} {blockquote} {div class="OutlookMessageHeader" dir="Ltr" align="Left"} {font face="Tahoma" size="2"} -----Original Message----- {br} {b} From: {/b} Ken Converse [ {a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="mailto:qualityimages-at-netrax.net"} mailto:qualityimages-at-netrax.net {/a} ] {br} {b} Sent: {/b} Tuesday, May 08, 2001 4:51 AM {br} {b} To: {/b} Earl Weltmer; MSA, listserver {br} {b} Subject: {/b} Re: what to do with unattended EDS on SEM {br} {br} {/font} {/div} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to {a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com"} ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com {/a} On-Line Help {a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html"} http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html {/a} -----------------------------------------------------------------------. Earl, {br} He's trying to have a life! The correct answer lies behind door #2. Just keep the dewar cold and the electronics off. Your vacuum system status is optional, depending upon the system and how well it protects itself. {br} Ken Converse {br} owner {br} Quality Images {br} third party SEM service {br} Delta, PA {br} {br} Earl Weltmer wrote: {br} {blockquote cite="mid:000701c0d73c$90dbafe0$428ccd3f-at-pacbell.net" type="cite"} {pre wrap=""} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ {br} The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America {br} To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to {a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com"} ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com {/a} {br} On-Line Help {a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html"} http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html {/a} {br} -----------------------------------------------------------------------. {br} {br} {br} Stay home is probably your safest bet. {br} {br} Earl {br} {br} ----- Original Message ----- {br} {/pre} {blockquote type="cite"} {pre wrap=""} From: "James M. Ehrman" {a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:jehrman-at-mta.ca"} <jehrman-at-mta.ca> {/a} {br} {/pre} {/blockquote} {pre wrap=""} {!----} To: "Microscopy Listserv" {a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com"} <Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com> {/a} {br} Sent: Monday, May 07, 2001 5:15 AM {br} Subject: what to do with unattended EDS on SEM {br} {br} {br} {/pre} {blockquote type="cite"} {pre wrap=""} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ {br} The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America {br} To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to {a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com"} ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com {/a} {br} On-Line Help {a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html"} http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html {/a} {br} -----------------------------------------------------------------------. {br} {br} {br} Hi Listers, {br} {br} I need to be away for two weeks, and would like opinions {br} on what is best to do with an EDS detector, LN2-wise, while {br} away. My options appear to be: {br} {br} 1. Leave everything on as normal. Don't really want to do this - I have {br} someone I trust to keep the LN2 dewar full, but not really handle the {br} microscope if something like a power f! {br} ailure or worse occurs. {br} {br} 2. Leave scope off, keep LN2 in EDS, hope residual vacuum in SEM {br} is adequate for two weeks. I'm guessing it's best to power off the {br} detector and computer, regardless. {br} {br} 3. Power down EDS, running detector through it's conditioning cycle, {br} leave everything off and at room temperature. {br} {br} 4. Stay home, chained to the system. {br} {br} Thoughts, experiences greatly appreciated. {br} {br} Cheers, {br} {br} Jim {br} {br} -- {br} {br} James M. Ehrman {br} Digital Microscopy Facility {br} Mount Allison University {br} Sackville, NB E4L 1G7 {br} CANADA {br} {br} phone: 506-364-2519 {br} fax: 506-364-2505 {br} email: {a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:jehrman-at-mta.ca"} jehrman-at-mta.ca {/a} {br} www: {a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.mta.ca/~jehrman"} http://www.mta.ca/~jehrman {/a} {br} {br} {br} {br} {/pre} {/blockquote} {/blockquote} {br} {/blockquote} {/blockquote} {br} {/body} {/html}
What a great venue! Is this list wonderful, or what?
Thank you, all, for the replies on lenses. I have kind of wondered about the markings for some time, but now I needed to understand what we have on the scope, and in the drawer.
To sum it up: Epi: Illumination can be supplied from above, through the objective.
Plan: Objective has a very flat field of focus.
Neofluar: Fluorite components for better spherical and chromatic corrections.
44 23 80: Zeiss catalog number for the lens.
MDPlan: Identified as "Metallurgical" & "Darkfield", but there is no darkfield light path in the objective. The Olympus web site lists the MDPlan as a brightfield objective, but does not indicate what "MD" stands for.
Yes, it really is a 150x/0.95 lens. We also have a 160x/0.95 Leitz Wetzlar lens that I did not mention.
IR: Lenses are ground and coated to optimize for infrared.
Two fantastic web sites were identified which really do answer more questions than were ever answered on any episode of "Soap".
www.micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/anatomy/specifications.html or www.micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/anatomy/index.html
www.microscopyu.com/articles/optics/objectivespecs.html or www.microscopyu.com
No, I did not think it was mundane, either. I just wanted to give warning to those that seem to be on a higher plane than me. I have an insatiable curiosity that has provided for me through the last 17 years of integrated circuit failure analysis.
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by (jms-at-vetmed.wsu.edu) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Tuesday, May 8, 2001 at 18:14:38 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Question: I am a neuroscience grad student at WSU, interested in motor neurons in the spinal cord. I use different fluorscent tracers and labeled antibodies to visualize cells and proteins of interest through the microscope (we use a Leitz Diaplan). I am looking for information on cameras that are sensitive enough to visualize the fluorescence and transmit the images to my computer for image analysis (by optimas). What camera makes and models do you recommend? I use wide band UV, narrow band blue, and narrow band green filters most often. Thanks very much for any help you can give me!
} } I agree with you on the vacuum, though. If you can, keep the scope } under vacuum. If not, you may have to pump for a while to get out } moisture, or perhaps even bake it out. }
Bake it out?
Really?
Does anyone really do this/has anyone ever actually done it?
rtch
Ritchie Sims Phone : 64 9 3737599 ext 7713 Department of Geology Fax : 64 9 3737435 The University of Auckland email : r.sims-at-auckland.ac.nz Private Bag 92019 Auckland New Zealand
-- Hi, I am looking for a stain to use on unfixed cells and organelles so that I can see them throughout processing for EM (especially for cryo-sectioning). I believe such a stain is called a vital stain. Any help on this matter will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks Ken Blight. Senior Scientific Officer Imperial Cancer Research Fund London England.
University of Bristol in co-operation with Glaxo SmithKline
Department of Oral and Dental Science, Biomaterials Group
The Biomaterials Science Group in the Department of Oral and Dental Science, University of Bristol in collaboration with Glaxo SmithKline have a vacancy for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in the Biomaterials Science Group on the project Interaction Mechanisms of Polymers at Interfaces of Mineralised Tissues.
The research area involves the study of the physical and chemical properties and interaction mechanisms of different polymers at interfaces of mineralised tissues. You will have recently been awarded a PhD in an appropriate field and will ideally have experience in scanning probe microscopy (AFM) of biological materials and other analytical techniques and an interest in medical research. You will work in Dr. Jandts group and interact with scientists at Glaxo Smith Kline.
The University of Bristol is one of the leading research universities in the UK and provides an outstanding scientific training environment to enhance your qualification. Bristol is located in the attractive south-west of England. The group is involved in exciting, interdisciplinary projects and maintains appropriate state of the art instrumentation. There exist opportunities for additional interactions with clinical scientists and other centres at the university.
We are looking for a dynamic and exceptionally well-qualified postdoctoral researcher who can interact effectively in an international and interdisciplinary team. The appointment will be on a Research Assistant 1A scale with a salary range of # 16775 to # 20465. This is a full time appointment and initially for one year.
Applicants should include a short CV, stating research experience and interests, publication list and addresses of two referees. The review of applications will start 24 May 2001 and will continue until the post has been filled.
For further details telephone ++44 117 954 6947, minicom ++ 44 117 928 8894 or E-Mail Recruitment-at-bris.ac.uk (stating postal address ONLY) quoting reference 7401. Applicants wishing to apply electronically must complete an "APPLICATION FORM FOR AN ACADEMIC VACANCY", found at http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/Personnel/recruit.htm
Closing Date May 24th, 2001
----------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. rer. nat. Klaus D. Jandt Senior Lecturer in Dental Materials Science and Biomaterials University of Bristol, Department of Oral and Dental Science Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS1 2LY, UK Phone: +44-117-9284418, Fax: ++44-117-9284780 Internet: K.Jandt-at-bris.ac.uk WWW: http://www.dent.bris.ac.uk/Biomaterials/kdj.htm "We make Biomaterials Science work!" Imua a lanakila
I have 2 boxes of 10 each retipped tungsten filaments for an Amray 1200 up for grabs for the cost of shipping (our old SEM was destroyed in a plant explosion -- well, actually, a pressure vessel failure, but same end result.) Also included are column liner cleaning tools and a few bulbs. Please contact me directly if you're interested.
Jane L. LaGoy Development Engineer Bodycote IMT, Inc. 155 River Street Andover, MA 01810 978-470-1620 jlagoy-at-bodycote-imt.com
Is RMC still around? I have a RMC MT-7000 ultramicrotome that needs a tune up or something (it chatters during the cutting stroke). Does anybody have the number for whoever is taking care of RMC products now. Ventana?
Paula :-)
Paula Sicurello George Washington Univ. Medical Center Dept. of Pathology, Ross Hall rm 505 Electron Microscope Lab 2300 Eye St. Washington, DC 20037 202-994-2930 phone 202-994-2518 fax
Colleagues, does anyone know of a similar film (Fuji ?) for Kodak Technical Pan Film 120? Ours has been on backorder close to a month and now we are being informed that not until tomorrow, maybe, may film arrive. Our TP120 is being used for the Zeiss EM 109. Many thanks for any responses Teresa
} Colleagues, does anyone know of a similar film (Fuji ?) for Kodak Technical } Pan Film 120? Ours has been on backorder close to a month and now we are } being informed that not until tomorrow, maybe, may film arrive. Our TP120 } is being used for the Zeiss EM 109. Many thanks for any responses Teresa
Rather than find another film/developer combination (with experimentation for correct exposure, aggravation, etc.), try another vendor for Tech Pan. Any professional camera store should have at least a dozen rolls in stock. B&H Photo and Video in New York City and Calumet in Chicago come to mind. They have 800 numbers for ordering and can ship overnight if you are in a real bind. Even if it is not in stock they can have Kodak ship a 'brick' (20 rolls I think) directly to you. Kodak TMax 100 is a fine-grain B&W film that would be, I think, the closest substititute. It does not have as much contrast as Tech Pan and I don't know how well it works with whatever developer you are using. Call Kodak (1-800-242-2424) and see what they recommend. Finding an alternate source for Tech Pan would be simpler than reconfiguring your exposure/film/development protocol.
Geoff -- ********************************************** Geoff McAuliffe, Ph.D. Neuroscience and Cell Biology Robert Wood Johnson Medical School 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854 voice: (732)-235-4583; fax: -4029 mcauliff-at-umdnj.edu **********************************************
http://www.rmcproducts.com (520) 745-0001 Boeckeler Inst. Inc.
Good Luck, Sergey.
At 03:17 PM 5/9/01 -0400, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
_____________________________________
Sergey Ryazantsev Ph. D. Electron Microscopy UCLA School of Medicine Department of Biological Chemistry Box 951737 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1737
We - Electron Microscopy Sciences- have no problem to supply you this Kodak TP-120 film (#151-1054). Out catalog number for this is #74130 for 5 rolls lot and #74133 for 20 rolls lot. Phone: 800-523-5874. Web: www.emsdiasum.com
{HTML} {FONT FACE=arial,helvetica} {FONT SIZE=2} We - Electron Microscopy Sciences- have no problem to supply you this Kodak {BR} TP-120 film (#151-1054). Out catalog number for this is #74130 for 5 rolls {BR} lot and #74133 for 20 rolls lot. {BR} Phone: 800-523-5874. Web: www.emsdiasum.com {BR} {BR} Bang Nguyen {BR} EMS {/FONT} {/HTML}
Vickie,we have an excellent reference center for neuromuscular biopsies here at LSUHSC in New Orleans, LA (504) 599-0281 Cheryl Vega is the technologist. Teresa } Hello, } I am looking for a good reference lab that deals with muscle tissue. At } present we are using Athena Labs but are having horrendous tat. Do you use } any lab out there for } the more sophisticated tests done on frozen muscle? We do all the routine } tests in house. Please let me know what labs are avaliable. Thanks in advance } for your help. } Vickie Hackett
RMC is currently being supported by Boekeler Instruments. The guy to contact for service is Al Coritz, (800) 552-2262. He's a great guy and will set you up.
John Shields EM Lab University of Georgia jshields-at-cb.uga.edu On 9 May 2001, at 15:17, Paula Sicurello wrote:
} -------------------------------------------------------------------- } -- -- The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society } of America To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to } ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com On-Line Help } http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -------------------------------------------------------------------- } -- -. } } } Hi Listers, } } Is RMC still around? I have a RMC MT-7000 ultramicrotome that needs } a tune up or something (it chatters during the cutting stroke). } Does anybody have the number for whoever is taking care of RMC } products now. Ventana? } } Paula :-) } } Paula Sicurello } George Washington Univ. Medical Center } Dept. of Pathology, Ross Hall rm 505 } Electron Microscope Lab } 2300 Eye St. } Washington, DC 20037 } 202-994-2930 phone } 202-994-2518 fax }
To the person looking for work to be done on a RMC ultramicrotome: Contact Al Coritz at al-at-boeckeler.com Best of Luck, Tim
Timothy G. Schneider Director of Electron Microscopy Department of Pathology Room 229 Jefferson Hall Thomas Jefferson University 1020 Locust St. Philadelphia Pa. 19107 215-503-4798 work 610-613-8170 cellular timothy.schneider-at-mail.tju.edu
A vital stain is one that delineates living from dead cells. It penetrates dead ones and leaves living (unfixed) ones unstained. It may be that one of these (e.g., trypan blue) would work on your unfixed cells as some of them would be dead, but it would not be staining the cells of interest. You might be able to see them as a faint blue pellet because of the dead ones.
As for what stain would go inside living cells and not alter ultrastructure, I don't know. Sorry.
Sara Miller
Usually unstained cells look a little creamy, and you can see them in frozen preparations.
On Wed, 9 May 2001, ken blight wrote:
} Date: Wed, 9 May 2001 09:09:25 +0100 } From: ken blight {blight-at-icrf.icnet.uk} } To: microscorpy hints and tips {microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} } Subject: Vital stain } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } -- } Hi, } I am looking for a stain to use on unfixed cells and organelles } so that I can see them throughout processing for EM (especially for } cryo-sectioning). I believe such a stain is called a vital stain. } Any help on this matter will be greatly appreciated. } Many thanks } Ken Blight. } Senior Scientific Officer } Imperial Cancer Research Fund } London } England. } }
Sara E. Miller, Ph. D. P. O. Box 3712 Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC 27710 Ph: 919 684-3452 FAX: 919 684-3265
I would like to thanks to all the people that have helped me with advises about larval fixation for SEM.
I have a question, a person told me that he has obtained good results fixing fish larvae with Karnovsky’s solution (a mixture of 8% paraformaldehyde, 0.2M sodium cacodylate buffer and 25% glutaraldehyde), but no one else has mentioned it. Please, let me know what do you think about this solution. I will have just one group of larvae this year and that will be all for my thesis (I cannot miss them). Last year I fixed larvae for TEM with glutaraldehyde + osmium tetroxide + uranyl acetate and I understand that this procedure obscure the sample surface and difficult observations.
Thanks again for your comments David Chiluiza
__________________________________________________ David Chiluiza USM, Institute of Marine Sciences Gulf Coast Research Laboratory 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 39566-7000
Hi - I have an old Nikon Epiphot microscope that does not have a shield to protect the user from UV. Does anyone know of a spare parts company that would sell something this old? The other alternative is to have our shop fabricate one. We have been told that if we do that, it needs to be made of orange plexiglas. Does it need to be orange for protection? Thank you in advance for your help!
Lisa Wright Mercer University School of Medicine Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Research 1550 College Street Macon, GA 31207
I would be interested in the general comments from the microscopy community about how necessary such shields are. My Zeiss Axiophot didn't come with one, my Nikon Diaphot and Optiphot did and we use them, and my Olympus IX-70's did but we don't use it.
Not all plexiglas will stop UV equally well but clearly it doesn't have to be orange since they sell UV safety glasses for use DNA gels on UV light boxes that are clear plastic. Tom
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
-- Thomas E. Phillips, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Director, Molecular Cytology Core Facility
3 Tucker Hall Division of Biological Sciences University of Missouri Columbia, MO 65211-7400 (573)-882-4712 (voice) (573)-882-0123 (fax)
I have had a Nikon Optiphot serviced annually for the past 12 years, and no one has ever mentioned the need for UV shielding. I'll be very interested to hear opinions about its necessity, too.
RMC is part of Boeckeler Instruments in Tucson Arizona. Last summer Ventana Medical Systems sold the product line to Boeckeler Instruments.Ventana's main focus was ISH & IHC in hospital histology labs and did not fit with their long term goals. We offer sales of new instruments as well as service on the old. Please feel free to contact me off line or visit ourwebsite listed below for further information.
Al Coritz Sales & Service Manager RMC Products Office: 520-745-0001 Fax: 520-745-0004 Cell: 520-465-3598 Al-at-boeckeler.com WWW.rmcproducts.com
{HTML} {FONT FACE=arial,helvetica} {FONT SIZE=2} Hi Paula & Everyone {BR} {BR} RMC is part of Boeckeler Instruments in Tucson Arizona. Last summer Ventana {BR} Medical Systems sold the product line to Boeckeler Instruments.Ventana's {BR} main focus was ISH & IHC in hospital histology labs and did not fit with {BR} their long term goals. We offer sales of new instruments as well as service {BR} on the old. Please feel free to contact me off line or visit ourwebsite {BR} listed below for further information. {BR} {BR} {BR} Al Coritz {BR} Sales & Service Manager {BR} RMC Products {BR} Office: 520-745-0001 {BR} Fax: 520-745-0004 {BR} Cell: 520-465-3598 {BR} Al-at-boeckeler.com {BR} WWW.rmcproducts.com {BR} {/FONT} {/HTML}
Dear Listers, I need your suggestions about the possiblity to buy a system based on the inverted microscope, but suitable for deconvolution and time-lapse analysis of fast events in living cells.
We would like to buy such system. Whinch one is the best (I mean quality devided on price)?
Sincerely yours, Alexander Mironov Consorzio Mario Negri Sud, Italy
Hi Vickie, Another excellent lab for muscle is located in Buffalo, New York. Their number is 719-878-7513. I would also be interested in the routine stains that you do in your lab and start a dialogue with you regarding the neuromuscular lab commonalities. F.Maiers
University of Bristol in co-operation with Glaxo SmithKline
Department of Oral and Dental Science, Biomaterials Group
The Biomaterials Science Group in the Department of Oral and Dental Science, University of Bristol in collaboration with Glaxo SmithKline have a vacancy for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in the Biomaterials Science Group on the project Interaction Mechanisms of Polymers at Interfaces of Mineralised Tissues.
The research area involves the study of the physical and chemical properties and interaction mechanisms of different polymers at interfaces of mineralised tissues. You will have recently been awarded a PhD in an appropriate field and will ideally have experience in scanning probe microscopy (AFM) of biological materials and other analytical techniques and an interest in medical research. You will work in Dr. Jandts group and interact with scientists at Glaxo Smith Kline.
The University of Bristol is one of the leading research universities in the UK and provides an outstanding scientific training environment to enhance your qualification. Bristol is located in the attractive south-west of England. The group is involved in exciting, interdisciplinary projects and maintains appropriate state of the art instrumentation. There exist opportunities for additional interactions with clinical scientists and other centres at the university.
We are looking for a dynamic and exceptionally well-qualified postdoctoral researcher who can interact effectively in an international and interdisciplinary team. The appointment will be on a Research Assistant 1A scale with a salary range of # 16775 to # 20465. This is a full time appointment and initially for one year.
Applicants should include a short CV, stating research experience and interests, publication list and addresses of two referees. The review of applications will start 24 May 2001 and will continue until the post has been filled.
For further details telephone ++44 117 954 6947, minicom ++ 44 117 928 8894 or E-Mail Recruitment-at-bris.ac.uk (stating postal address ONLY) quoting reference 7401. Applicants wishing to apply electronically must complete an "APPLICATION FORM FOR AN ACADEMIC VACANCY", found at http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/Personnel/recruit.htm
2001 Closing Date May 24th, 2001
----------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. rer. nat. Klaus D. Jandt Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Biomaterials Science University of Bristol, Department of Oral and Dental Science Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS1 2LY, UK Phone: +44-117-9284418, Fax: ++44-117-9284780 Internet: K.Jandt-at-bris.ac.uk "We make Biomaterials Science work!"
Postdoctoral Position available: Biophotonics Instrumentation At University of Wisconsin-Madison, in the Instrumentation Laboratory of Dr. John White.
Postdoctoral Scientists are sought for the development of new optical instrumentation with an emphasis on spectral/lifetime imaging.
Previous experience in one or more of the following areas will be a primary consideration: optical design, non-linear optics, optical system development, techniques such as optical trapping or laser microsurgery. Experience with either confocal or multiphoton laser-scanning microscopy would be beneficial as the central emphasis of the study will involve these imaging techniques. Extensive facilities for microscopy, electrical engineering, software design and biological research are available for this project.
Ph.D.'s with multidisciplinary backgrounds from fields such as applied physics, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, molecular/cell biology, nanotechnology or other related interdisciplinary fields are encouraged to apply.
Position is available as soon as June 1, 2001 with the application deadline open until the position is filled.
Please direct all questions via email to Kevin Eliceiri (eliceiri-at-facstaff.wisc.edu)
See www.loci.wisc.edu/employment.html for more information and application instructions.
-- Kevin W. Eliceiri
Lab Manager Microscopy Research Laboratory http://www.microscopy.wisc.edu
Project Director Laboratory for Optical and Computational Instrumentation (LOCI) http://www.loci.wisc.edu 271 Animal Sciences 1675 Observatory Dr. Madison, WI 53706 608-263-6288 voice 608-262-4570 fax
We currently have a 6 year old Sony video camera & printer with PAX-IT image capture software. We have had problems with the system over the years & poor support because the components are from different manufacturers (we bought it with an Olympus PLM & the computer was a hand me down from another lab section) so the manufacturers like to blame each other rather than fix the problem. We also found that the video camera gives very poor resolution above about 100X. We like the PAX-IT user interface when it works.
We are going to ask for a bridge comparison microscope with bright field, dark field, phase contrast, DIC, & simple pol. We also want to ask for a digital camera, new computer, & new or upgraded image capture software.
Because our analytical work always has the potential to go to court, I prefer software that does not allow the user to significantly alter the image (overlays, labeling, etc. are alright) like our current version of PAX-IT.
We will potentially use the camera & capture system on our other scopes (Wild M3 stereo, Olympus BX50P, AO 1-10 Compound, & Nikon Labophot Phase Contrast) & Polaroid MP-4 photo stand. (We currently use the video camera with a macro zoom lens on the MP-4.)
Our samples are mostly 'filth' (insect fragments, hairs, molds, yeast) in foods & some drugs.
Does anyone have any suggestion (positive or negative) about bridge comparison microscope models/brands, digital cameras, & image capture software?
David A. Foran, chemist Food and Drug Administration Kansas City District Lab DFORAN-at-ORA.FDA.GOV 913-752-2163 913-752-2727 (voice mail) 913-752-2151 (fax)
Dr. Halcrow has kindly modified/corrected my earlier statement on vital stains, but he was too polite to broadcast it to the net. I thought you should benefit from his comments and am sending them on at the risk of my embarassment. Anyway, my comments were based on what I was told many moons ago in grad school. In our usage, the stain colored dead or dying cells immediately, but was not taken up by viable cells, perhaps because we stained and viewed immediatley without allowing active uptake into the cells. From what I have read in the last few hours, it takes several minutes (30-60) for many vital stains to be taken up by living cells; also, cells (e.g., bacteria stained with janus green B) can go back to colorless in 24 hr.
Based on this exchange, I looked up viral stains and offer the following:
Stedmann. Vital s: applied to cells or parts of cells while they are still living.
Dorland. Vital s: staining of a tissue by a dye which is introduced into a living organism and which, by virtue of affinity for certain tissues, will stain those tissues (e.g., Conn: trypan blue injected IV stains kidney tubules)
Thompson. Bismark brown(s) Y, R, 53A, 53B, 53C; Janus green B; acridine orange; acridine red.
HJ Conn's Biological Stains by RD Lillie Selected Histochemical and Histopathological Methods by SW Thompson Dorland and Stedman are medical dictionaries.
---probably more than you ever wanted to know about vital stains.
Sara
Sara E. Miller, Ph. D. P. O. Box 3712 Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC 27710 Ph: 919 684-3452 FAX: 919 684-3265
---------- Forwarded message ----------
It is a bad idea to expose your skin to the UV produced by a mercury vapour lamp. But, assuming the lamp housing itself is light-tight, UV shields are only required if UV excitation is being used. If you are working with FITC (blue), GFP (blue) or RITC (green) type filters UV is not used for excitation, and the UV shield is unnecessary. Most pale yellow, yellow orange or red plastics absorb UV. Plexiglass in these colours should be readily obtainable - sign makers may have offcuts. If you cannot obtain yellow or orange plexiglass use an acetate filter of the type used for stage lighting. Chris
} ----- Original Message ----- } From: "Tom Phillips" {PhillipsT-at-missouri.edu} } To: {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} } Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2001 8:32 PM } Subject: Re: LM shield for protection from UV } } } } -------------------------------------------------------------------- } ---- } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of } America } } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to } ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } } On-Line Help } http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } } -------------------------------------------------------------------- } ---. } } } } } } I would be interested in the general comments from the microscopy } } community about how necessary such shields are. My Zeiss Axiophot } } didn't come with one, my Nikon Diaphot and Optiphot did and we use } } them, and my Olympus IX-70's did but we don't use it. } } } } Not all plexiglas will stop UV equally well but clearly it doesn't } } have to be orange since they sell UV safety glasses for use DNA gels } } on UV light boxes that are clear plastic. Tom } } } } } } } } } } --------------------------------------------------------------------- } --- } } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of } America } } } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to } ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } } } On-Line Help } http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } } } } --------------------------------------------------------------------- } --. } } } } } } } } } Hi - } } } I have an old Nikon Epiphot microscope that does not have a shield } to } } } protect the user from UV. Does anyone know of a spare parts } company } } } that would sell something this old? The other alternative is to } have our } } } shop fabricate one. We have been told that if we do that, it needs } to be } } } made of orange plexiglas. Does it need to be orange for protection? } } } Thank you in advance for your help! } } } } } } Lisa Wright } } } Mercer University School of Medicine } } } Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Research } } } 1550 College Street } } } Macon, GA 31207 } } } } -- } } Thomas E. Phillips, Ph.D. } } Associate Professor of Biological Sciences } } Director, Molecular Cytology Core Facility } } } } 3 Tucker Hall } } Division of Biological Sciences } } University of Missouri } } Columbia, MO 65211-7400 } } (573)-882-4712 (voice) } } (573)-882-0123 (fax) } } }
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Does any one know about the concept of digital watermarking for proving the authenticity of an image?
David A. Foran, chemist Food and Drug Administration Kansas City District Lab DFORAN-at-ORA.FDA.GOV 913-752-2163 913-752-2727 (voice mail) 913-752-2151 (fax)
In general, real UV should not come though glass optics. In order to do so the optics should be made from quartz like quartz cuvettes for spectrophotometers. Unless the optic is not quartz there is no worry about UV. Some "near-UV" (300 and above nm) light could come through. Excitation wavelength for fluorescein is 490 nm (with emission at 520 nm) - far away from UV. Therefore I don't see any reason manufacturers will design microscope to pass real UV. Technically it's very difficult perform (and extremely expensive - you will easy know if your microscope is equipped with quartz optics).
Sergey.
At 02:32 PM 5/10/01 -0500, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
_____________________________________
Sergey Ryazantsev Ph. D. Electron Microscopy UCLA School of Medicine Department of Biological Chemistry Box 951737 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1737
164 Ferne Court Palo Alto, CA 94306 (650) 494-0472 [NelsonC51-at-excite.com]
May 11, 2001
Hi David ... While I have never dealt with marine larvae of any kind (my M.A. thesis project concerned some morphological aspects of ciliates), I have dealt with Karnovsky's fixative. It's probably been suggested because the double effect of formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde preserve certain features (most likely, of the morphological type) better than either of those alone. However, that fixative also has a high osmolarity, and I'm guessing that this fixative may not work with marine animals. Good luck with your thesis project. Nelson Conti
_______________________________________________________ Send a cool gift with your E-Card http://www.bluemountain.com/giftcenter/
They do modify slightly some particular pixels in your picture. This modification could not be recognizable by eye, but may be extracted using special algorithm (as Adobe Photoshop Plug-In do it). This "mark" will survive even after hard modification of the original picture, because it's not an "image" it's more like special "pattern" spreaded across the image. They claimed that even on very bad printed hardcopy that "water mark" will survive as well as on cropped/changed images. Is it not amusing! Watermark's "reader" is free, but you have to pay in order to be able to "mark" your image.
Sergey
At 06:27 PM 5/11/01 -0400, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
} } } Dear David } } They do modify slightly some particular pixels in your picture. This } modification could not be recognizable by eye, but may be extracted using } special algorithm (as Adobe Photoshop Plug-In do it). This "mark" will } survive even after hard modification of the original picture, because it's } not an "image" it's more like special "pattern" spreaded across the } image. They claimed that even on very bad printed hardcopy that "water } mark" will survive as well as on cropped/changed images. Is it not } amusing! Watermark's "reader" is free, but you have to pay in order to be } able to "mark" your image. } } Dear David,
I wold approach the field of digital forensics with extreme caution. In the beginning I wold back up every image with a B&W shot of Color Slide methods that have a substantial body of work backing them up. A slick lawyer and painshop can morph you evidence into Porkies Hooter bar and grill sign so fast is leaves you in the dust. And you will like the warm unretouched glow that comes form film or slides. Gordon Gordon Couger gcouger-at-couger.com Stillwater, OK www.couger.com/gcouger 405 624-2855 GMT -6:00
Although it might seem early to talk about the Microscopy and Microanalysis meeting in the year 2002 Quebec City, Canada, it is the time where the symposia are established and the symposia organizers determined.
In order to provide the best possible program, I, as program chair, am soliciting suggestions for symposia for the year 2002. Your idea for a great topic in any of the areas of "Physical Sciences," "Biological Sciences," or in "Advances in Instrumentation and Techniques," would be highly appreciated; after all, it is our annual meeting. Between now and June 30th 2001, I can be contacted under the following address:
mm2002-at-ornl.gov
Please forward the request also to your colleagues. With best regards,
Edgar Voelkl Program Chair M&M 2002
P.S.: For more information on the 2002 program, see: http://msc.rsvs.ulaval.ca/2002/2002.html
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by (bak-at-one.net) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Saturday, May 12, 2001 at 18:58:42 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: bak-at-one.net Name: Barbara Kostelnik
Organization: Hippo-Logistics
Education: Graduate College
Location: Cincinnati, OH USA
Question: I want to see if there are different visible pigment patterns in various colors of horse hairs as alleged by Dr. Ben Green in his controversial book, The Color of Horses. Here are some scanned images from his work: http://www.hippo-logistics.com/equus/Dr.Green/images/buckskin.jpg http://www.hippo-logistics.com/equus/Dr.Green/images/sorrel.jpg
One of our groups is using an old projecting microscope made by Bioscope Manufacturing. I just ordered an even older version on the internet to try myself. What equipment would YOU suggest to see if these patterns exist? (So far it looks to us like they don't.)
Thank you very much! Barbara Kostelnik Hippo-Logistics.com
I agree with Barbara that you can cut these blocks with as good a result as in new blocks, but in my experience (specifically with JB-4) the ease of cutting depends on the size of the block and how dry it is. Too dry a block will cause chatter and too wet a block will give you mushy looking sections. You can put the blocks in a chamber with either a container of water or desiccant to change this factor (don't touch either to the block). Also with JB-4, the hydrated sections can only be "drawn" out of the water on the slide, as they stick to anything they touch once their wet.
As for removing the material, I don't know of any successful method for this on JB-4 blocks. Maybe it is possible on other types of glycol methacrylate.
Karen Pawlowski, Ph.D. UT Dallas, Dallas, TX
Barbara Plowman wrote: } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Dear Listserver, } Glycol methyacrylate can be cut easily with glass knives at 1 or 2 microns. The sections are like very fine cellophane and wrinkles can be spread out by placing them on a fairly deep(3-4inches) water bath...no heat. Then, they can be picked up using a paint brush onto clean glass slides and dried and stained. } } Barbara L. Plowman } Univ. of the Pacific } School of Dentistry } 2155 Webster St. } San Francisco, CA } email: Bplowman-at-sf.uop.edu } Ph: 415-929-6692
I did not make the point I wanted in my last post about digital images in court. Put your self on the stand and answer these questions. Sir, did you modify the image in any way? Sir, is the image a true representation of the object. Sir, does each pixel have the same response to light as every other pixel? [three questions with mutually exclusive answers] Sir, how can you prove to me that this image was not manipulated before you watermarked it.
After you testimony the defenses expert explains the problem of having to apply a LUT table to the image to get at better image because different pixels have different gain and then gives a demo on image manipulation.
None of this comes up if you have a conventional silver print. If you need to use image enhancement to show something you can show it in relation to a negitive that can be examined by experts for modification. While digital image can be examined for modifcation explaing it to a jury will be very difficult to get them to understand after being shown how much an image can be changed.
The day will come that digital images are defensible in court but I would much rather be in the position of attacking one than defending one today. With all the bad press coming out about the FBI lab and other forensic labs I would be extremely careful to leave no opening for a crack in the chain of evidence.
Gordon Gordon Couger gcouger-at-couger.com Stillwater, OK www.couger.com/gcouger
One thing that comes to mind is teaching new dogs old tricks.
As technology advances, the devices of 30, 50 and more years ago are forgotten for the most part, however, for reasons of economy preservation or nostalgia, some people like to keep, restore and maybe even use these antiquated devices. It might be helpful and interesting to at least collect information on the care and feeding of an old microscope, techniques of micrography with a non-automatic camera and the best methods to follow when trying to find and/or make substitutions for parts on aging equipment.
Ron L ----- Original Message ----- } From: "Dr. Edgar Voelkl" {mm2002-at-ornl.gov} To: {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} Cc: {3dem-at-sdsc.edu} Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2001 11:59 AM
The most prominent digital watermarking company is Digimarc http://www.digimarc.com
Digital watermarking is under the moniker "steganography." It is quite interesting and definitely a challenge to accomplish without disturbing the original (creating artifacts). Unfortunately, Digimarc's method is not very resilient. It can be easily removed using a relatively simple C program.
Advise that you tread lightly in this area until and unless new, more robust technology becomes available.
gary g.
At 03:27 PM 5/11/2001, you wrote:
} Does any one know about the concept of digital watermarking for proving the } authenticity of an image? } } David A. Foran, chemist } Food and Drug Administration } Kansas City District Lab } DFORAN-at-ORA.FDA.GOV } 913-752-2163 } 913-752-2727 (voice mail) } 913-752-2151 (fax)
I am not advocate for "watermarking". Digital "watermarks" developed for purpose to identify the "image creator" (who owned un-touched original file). And the idea is that "watermark" may survive on hardly modified image identified therefore the author. For instance, if somebody stole image file from your WEB site and use it to create some poster and sell it, you my prove that your image was used without authorization if "watermark" exist. It's not my personal opinion, it how I understand the purpose of "watermarking" from company who offered it (it's Adobe related, I believe). As I mention in my original message, company claims that it's possible to extract watermark from printed hard copy, poster in my example.
Nice negatives/slides are always a plus, but they are not protected from fraud and fire. Watermarks is not about image quality, it's about some security. You may keep your beautiful slides in achieve, but you must to convert it in digital if you want to post it on Internet. Here watermarks may work.
I don't see any reasons at all to use watermarks in forensics, but artists, publishers may be interested.
Sergey
At 02:44 AM 5/13/01 -0500, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Watermarks are great if you spend eons composing or editing a scanned image and some hoser rips it off, puts it on his site and claims it is his! the water mark allows you to quickly ID it.
Of course there are other ways to handle such scoundrels as well ... but that will be left for another dissertation!
Ed Sharpe archivist for SMECC
} Subj: Re: digital watermarking } Date: 5/13/01 6:48:14 PM US Mountain Standard Time } From: sryazant-at-ucla.edu (Sergey Ryazantsev) } To: gcouger-at-couger.com (Gordon Couger) } CC: microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } } } } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Dear Gordon } } I am not advocate for "watermarking". Digital "watermarks" developed for } purpose to identify the "image creator" (who owned un-touched original } file). And the idea is that "watermark" may survive on hardly modified } image identified therefore the author. For instance, if somebody stole } image file from your WEB site and use it to create some poster and sell it, } you my prove that your image was used without authorization if "watermark" } exist. It's not my personal opinion, it how I understand the purpose of } "watermarking" from company who offered it (it's Adobe related, I believe). } As I mention in my original message, company claims that it's possible to } extract watermark from printed hard copy, poster in my example. } } Nice negatives/slides are always a plus, but they are not protected from } fraud and fire. Watermarks is not about image quality, it's about some } security. You may keep your beautiful slides in achieve, but you must to } convert it in digital if you want to post it on Internet. Here watermarks } may work. } } I don't see any reasons at all to use watermarks in forensics, but artists, } publishers may be interested. } } Sergey } } At 02:44 AM 5/13/01 -0500, you wrote: } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } } }
{HTML} {FONT FACE=arial,helvetica} {FONT SIZE=2} Watermarks are great if you spend eons composing or editing a scanned image {BR} and some hoser rips it off, puts it on his site and claims it is his! {BR} the water mark allows you to quickly ID it. {BR} {BR} Of course there are other ways to handle such scoundrels as well ... but that {BR} will be left for another dissertation! {BR} {BR} Ed Sharpe archivist for SMECC {BR} {BR} {BR} {BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"} Subj: {B} Re: digital watermarking {/B} {BR} Date: 5/13/01 6:48:14 PM US Mountain Standard Time {BR} {I} From: sryazant-at-ucla.edu (Sergey Ryazantsev) {BR} To: gcouger-at-couger.com (Gordon Couger) {BR} CC: microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com {BR} {/I} {BR} {BR} {BR} {BR} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ {BR} The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America {BR} To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com {BR} On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html {BR} -----------------------------------------------------------------------. {BR} {BR} {BR} Dear Gordon {BR} {BR} I am not advocate for "watermarking". Digital "watermarks" developed for {BR} purpose to identify the "image creator" (who owned un-touched original {BR} file). And the idea is that "watermark" may survive on hardly modified {BR} image identified therefore the author. For instance, if somebody stole {BR} image file from your WEB site and use it to create some poster and sell it, {BR} you my prove that your image was used without authorization if "watermark" {BR} exist. It's not my personal opinion, it how I understand the purpose of {BR} "watermarking" from company who offered it (it's Adobe related, I believe). {BR} As I mention in my original message, company claims that it's possible to {BR} extract watermark from printed hard copy, poster in my example. {BR} {BR} Nice negatives/slides are always a plus, but they are not protected from {BR} fraud and fire. Watermarks is not about image quality, it's about some {BR} security. You may keep your beautiful slides in achieve, but you must to {BR} convert it in digital if you want to post it on Internet. Here watermarks {BR} may work. {BR} {BR} I don't see any reasons at all to use watermarks in forensics, but artists, {BR} publishers may be interested. {BR} {BR} Sergey {BR} {BR} At 02:44 AM 5/13/01 -0500, you wrote: {BR} >------------------------------------------------------------------------ {BR} >The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America {BR} >To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com {BR} >On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html {BR} >-----------------------------------------------------------------------. {BR} > {BR} > {BR} > {BR} {/BLOCKQUOTE} {BR} {BR} {/FONT} {/HTML}
The 17th Australian Conference on Electron Microscopy will be held in the Adelaide Convention Centre 4th - 8th February 2002, presenting you with an opportunity to escape cold climes and enjoy the worlds best fresh food and wines whilst participating in a conference with, the majority of Australia's and some of the World's leading Electron Microscopists, Scanned Probe Microscopists, and Confocal Microscopists.
The Australian Society for Electron Microscopy (Inc.) is the host society for this meeting in Adelaide, which is the is the Capital of the State of South Australia. Adelaide is a picturesque city and is the business and educational centre for the state. South Australia is noted for its glorious Mediterranean climate, picturesque surfing beaches, aquaculture, unpolluted agriculture and of course, 5 of the worlds truly great wine producing areas.
There are many unique and significant tourist destinations are within easy reach of Adelaide. The Barossa Valley with its unique German influence, Southern Vales and the Clare Valley are wine regions producing Australia's most famous wines such as the Grange and Hill of Grace. The rugged Flinders Ranges, Kangaroo Island, the Adelaide Hills and Beaches, offer a variety of scenic and relaxing outings to take at your convenience.
Planning for the meeting is well advanced and you will be receiving registration of interest and calls for abstracts in the near future. We have focused on the website as our major form of communication. I do hope that you can visit the site from time to time to maintain an awareness of the ACEM17 activities. (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/CEMMSA/acem17)
The conference will incorporate a series of workshops covering a broad range of topics. Student microscopists are encouraged to attend to learn or to launch their presentation careers and a series of student bursaries will be offered to facilitate this. On behalf of the Organising Committee may I extend an invitation to attend this important meeting.
-- John Terlet Director CEMMSA (Centre for Electron Microscopy & MicroStructure Analysis) Adelaide University Ph: 61 8 8303 5855 Fax: 61 8 8303 4356 http://www.adelaide.edu.au/CEMMSA
In an earlier post there was a mention of the images being used in forenic work. Then the watermark question. I sould have mentioned the forenic post in my reply about watermarks.
My point being that I would be very nervous using a digital image in court because of the ease that they can be manupulated and the fact that there is no way to tell if it is orignal or not.
The check needs to be made payable to Penn State University not PUS. Rosemary
} Rosemary, I talked to Stacie. She will send you a check for $2,400.00 next } week. The check will be made payable to PUS. Is all this OK? Thank you. } } Hong } ---------- } } From: Rosemary Walsh {rw9-at-psu.edu} } } To: Hong Yi {hyi-at-emory.edu} } } Subject: Fund transfer to cover dinners } } Date: Fri, May 11, 2001, 11:24 AM } } } } } Hi Hong, } } After consulting with our admin. assistant, it would be best } } to have Stacie send me a check for $1160 } } so that I can sign contracts and purchase sodas and supplies locally. } } Rosemary } } -- } } Rosemary Walsh, Manager } } The Electron Microscope Facility for the Life Sciences, } } A Shared Technology Facility, The Life Sciences Consortium } } 1 South FrearLab } } Penn State University } } University Park, PA 16802 } } (814) 865-0212 } } rw9-at-psu.edu } } http://www.lsc.psu.edu/stf/em/home.html
-- Rosemary Walsh, Manager The Electron Microscope Facility for the Life Sciences, A Shared Technology Facility, The Life Sciences Consortium 1 South FrearLab Penn State University University Park, PA 16802 (814) 865-0212 rw9-at-psu.edu http://www.lsc.psu.edu/stf/em/home.html
} That is fine with me, Hong. I have given Stacie the information on } where to send it. Rosemary
} Rosemary, I will have Stacie to cut you a check for $2,400.00. That will } include the fee for using your facility and food money. Is that OK with } you? Let me know so I can call Stacie soon. Thank you. } } Hong } ---------- } } From: Rosemary Walsh {rw9-at-psu.edu} } } To: Hong Yi {hyi-at-emory.edu} } } Subject: Fund transfer to cover dinners } } Date: Fri, May 11, 2001, 11:24 AM } } } } } Hi Hong, } } After consulting with our admin. assistant, it would be best } } to have Stacie send me a check for $1160 } } so that I can sign contracts and purchase sodas and supplies locally. } } Rosemary } } -- } } Rosemary Walsh, Manager } } The Electron Microscope Facility for the Life Sciences, } } A Shared Technology Facility, The Life Sciences Consortium } } 1 South FrearLab } } Penn State University } } University Park, PA 16802 } } (814) 865-0212 } } rw9-at-psu.edu } } http://www.lsc.psu.edu/stf/em/home.html
-- Rosemary Walsh, Manager The Electron Microscope Facility for the Life Sciences, A Shared Technology Facility, The Life Sciences Consortium 1 South FrearLab Penn State University University Park, PA 16802 (814) 865-0212 rw9-at-psu.edu http://www.lsc.psu.edu/stf/em/home.html
My son is doing a science project where he needs to contact a researcher working with Multiple Sclerosis and ask some questions. He has not had any responses on his previous email attempts to contact someone, so I'm turning to the listserver (even though it's a little off-topic).
Can anyone put me in touch with an MS researcher who would be able to take a few minutes to respond to questions from a 13 year old?
Thanks, Henk Colijn Hendrik O. Colijn colijn.1-at-osu.edu Campus Electron Optics Facility Ohio State University (614) 292-0674 http://web.ceof.ohio-state.edu Fools are pleased when they discover error. The wise are pleased when they discover truth.
Can anyone account for the cause and solution to this problem?
Background:
We have installed a custom reticle in the eyepieces of our cytotechnologists' microscopes. Looking through the microscope, one sees a clear square area outlined by neutral density filter-like segments. The corners of the square just touch the boundaries of the field-of-view. In the center, there are a 6.7 micrometer diameter circle and 2 crossed 11 micrometer long lines for use as size comparators.
The square provides a user-friendly frame of reference by which a cytotechnologist can advance a Pap smear the length of 1 side while screening, using a 10x objective and 10x eyepieces. This systematic step-size movement promotes more complete and reproducible screening coverage, and initially has resulted in an increase in the pick-up rates for various categories of abnormal cells. The two size comparators are intended for use with a 40x objective to assist cytotechnologists when estimating nuclear areas and potential significance.
Problem:
One cytotechnologist in particular complains that her non-dominant eye "blurs over" when she encounters acellular fields-of-view. Despite patient persistence in working through this effect, she eventually gave up, as this effect was causing her to have headaches. I have removed the reticle. A few other cytotechnologists have complained similarly, but they have learned to tolerate the annoyance. The overwhelming majority of users have not experienced this problem.
Hypothesis:
I don't know why the reticle is causing this one user's eye to "blur over" (her words). However, I suspect that when both eyes are looking at cellular fields-of-view, both are focused at the same distance. However, upon encountering acellular fields, the dominant eye focuses on the two size comparators, while the non-dominant eye focuses at a different distance. Thus the brain is receiving mixed signals. To test this hypothesis, I've returned a reticle to the manufacturer to remove the size comparators. I'll reinstall this modified reticle and see whether the blurring over persists. If not, then problem solved. If yes, then the user will have to screen without the benefit of the reticle. I've also asked the lady to ask her ophthalmologist to write down her visual status.
Can anyone explain the cause and prevention of this phenomenon? Thanks.
The University of Missouri is searching for an Assistant or Associate Director of their Molecular Cytology Core Facility. This facility deals with all types of light microscopy. Individuals who feel they may be qualified for the position are encouraged to either apply or contact Tom Phillips for further details. A description of the job is appended to this message.
Assistant or Associate Director Molecular Cytology Core Facility
The Molecular Biology Program at the University of Missouri is seeking an individual with experience in some or all of the following areas:
* confocal scanning laser microscopy * bright field microscopy * wide field fluorescence microscopy * deconvolution * image processing/analysis * all types of microtomy * immunocytochemistry * in situ hybridization * Adobe Photoshop
The Assistant/Associate Director will be responsible for training users, maintaining instruments and developing protocols for a campus-wide multi-user facility. PhD desirable but not required for individuals with extensive experience. Although an ideal candidate would have experience in all of the areas listed above, candidates with extensive experience in selected areas and who have the desire and capacity to learn the additional areas will be considered. Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential. Experience in a multi-user core facility would be viewed positively. Electron microscopy is not a component of this core facility. Women and minority candidates are especially encouraged to apply. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until an appropriate candidate is hired.
The Core's web site can be viewed at http://www.biotech.missouri.edu/mbp/cores/index.html
Address applications (CV and 3 letters of reference) or inquires to:
Thomas E. Phillips, Ph.D. Division of Biological Sciences 3 Tucker Hall, University of Missouri Columbia, MO 65211-7400. 573-882-4712 PhillipsT-at-missouri.edu.
I am so sorry Gordon. I was answering the question of David Foran what digital watermark is. I did not figured out that the question was related to forensic. But, my position is still the same: "watermarks" are about copyrights protection and very slightly related to the image-quality. You may easily present to the court the image and nobody (except author) will know that it's watermarked. Using very simple program, author may verify his/her authority on this image at the court. Because this technology has been protected by at least 5 patents and registered, court would accept such evidence, I believe. This what purpose of digital watermarks in my opinion. The same way, some detective may watermark his images with some evidence and present it to court. Watermark in this case will not verify the trustness of the images, but authority of this particular person on the images. The same: some Laboratory (even forensic) may use watermarks to identify their digital products.
I do agree with you, that it's so easy to manipulate image digitally nowadays. From another hand, we do have an arsenal of the old nice tricks how to modify negatives/slides as well. People who prefer to stick to "film" will probably agree with me that it's very possible to modify images on the film too. Simplest example: using "ferro-cyanide" (not sure the spelling is correct) you may partially/completely eliminate part of the image on the wet negative/paper. After washing - the modification is undetectable in practice. Using this way, you could, for instance, remove some bands from electrophoresis pictures, or using multiple exposure - enhance some.
Sergey.
At 04:08 AM 5/14/01 -0500, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Dear Listers. We are in the midst of trying to set up a new EM facility here. I am wondering how many of you out there actually support your facility with users fees? Is it realistic to expect service contracts, personnel salaries, supplies and maintenance can be recouped from fees? Or do most facilities need to be subsidized to ensure their survival? I worry that the kind of fees we would have to charge to ensure survival will scare many users away. Any suggestions, comments would be appreciated.
JoAnn Buchanan Dept. Molecular and Cellular Physiology Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford, CA 94305
That's not as big an issue as a lot of people make it out to be. Yes, you have to show the provenance of an image in court, and be able to describe and defend the kind of processing you do.
However, the bottom line is that the image is *not* the testimony. The *testimony* is the testimony. It has *always* been possible to manipulate images; the ease in doing it is secondary. The important thing is that you have an expert sitting there and stating under oath that the image does or does not accurately represent what it is supposed to represent.
The assumption that the expert is lying unless the image itself can be independenly proven to accurately represent what the expert says is simply wrong. Images, except in specific circumstances, are there to *illustrate* observations made by the expert.
Consider scene photography. The homicide cop gets up and says there was a piece of paper on a table. There is a photograph of a piece of paper on a table. Counsel asks "Is this a fair and accurate representation of where the paper was?" The cop replies "Yes, it is."
Now, defense may get up and say "Aha! That's a digital image! Somebody could have *put* that image of paper on that table."
The answer is "Yeah, they could have. But the cop here says that's where it was. The cop here says that's where he saw it. The cop here says this here's what it looks like." The jury will either believe the cop or they won't.
One can think of cases where a photograph *doesn't* fairly and accurately represent what the cop saw -- the most common example I have seen is in color balance problems where the cop says the sweater was "green" and the photo shows it blue. Then you either don't enter it into evidence or you do the appropriate testimony. In other cases, image processing is integral to the conclusion itself -- such as edge enhancement or deblurring -- in which case you have to detail and defend the algorithms. But even then, that justification is based on testimony of the expert, not on some feature measurement of the image, and the "ease" with which it was done is fairly irrelevant.
If the court rejects testimony on the basis of some secondary measure of accuracy other than the testimony of the expert witness, then the lawyers have not done their job. The bullshit job that the defense did in the OJ trial is *not* the paradigm of how a trial should work, and should not be the standard for how evidence is examined.
billo
On Mon, 14 May 2001, Gordon Couger wrote:
} } } Dear Sergey } } } My point being that I would be very nervous using a digital image in court } because of the ease that they can be manupulated and the fact that there } is no way to tell if it is orignal or not. } } Gordon } } }
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by (rj.carey-at-student.qut.edu.au) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Tuesday, May 15, 2001 at 02:44:36 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: rj.carey-at-student.qut.edu.au Name: richard carey
Organization: queensland university of technology
Education: Undergraduate College
Location: brisbane.queensland,australia
Question: A skin nodule resected from a patient is suspected of being a malignant melanoma.How would I prepare and view the sample to determine if this was the case?
I would appreciate from users of the Wacom PL series LCD writable tablet, for use specifically with image analysis, not graphics arts. The ability to trace directly on the image rather than using a mouse or pen/tablet combination seems appropriate but would like some feedback. TIA.
Walter F. Bobrowski Electron Microscopy Laboratories Drug Safety Evaluation Pfizer Global Research and Development 2800 Plymouth Road Ann Arbor MI 48105
Our SEM facility staggered along for years while supported partly from the grants of our five principal users and partly from user fees. This was not a stable system, since grant support dried up and usership was erratic.
Now our service contract and technician's salary are subsidized by three departments, and all members of these departments have free use of the facility and technical assistance. Fees from users outside of these departments are used to purchase supplies and for equipment repair/upgrades. These fees can be kept at a reasonable level, and members of the subsidizing departments love having free access to the lab. If you can arrange some sort of subsidy (and it is not too much of a burden if shared among departments), it is a great way to go.
Leslie Eibest
At 4:12 PM -0700 5/14/01, JoAnn Buchanan wrote: } Is it realistic to expect service contracts, personnel salaries, } supplies and maintenance can be recouped from fees? Or do most } facilities need to be subsidized to ensure their survival?
------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Joann, We will, hopefully, get started on a new pricing scheme in June. We have recently combined a small service facility from the Vet School with a multi-user facility that I have managed for, primarily, the School of Agriculture. The Ag. School has picked up all costs for service contracts and misc. to date including half of my salary (other half picked up by School of Science). Thus there was no charge, except for consumables, for use of this facility over the past 17 years. Now they want us to charge to try to recoop some of the costs. We run into problems that if you charge labor (for service) than you have to pay all the employees fringe benefits which are usually paid by the University. This adds about 1/3 to the cost of the employee to the department/school. Thus fees may actually cost the department/school more if you do not bring in enough money.
Thus there is the problem of how do you charge for service that will fairly compensate for the employee's time while still not penalizing the multi-user who works independently. Also, if you charge too much for imaging time you will tend to reduce use of equipment and it costs the same for service contracts whether booked full time or only part-time.
Consumables are not a problem since we can figure that fairly easily and multi-users provide most of their own reagents, etc.
I would like to consider an approach that would have departments pick up a share of the costs based on the number of faculty and their students who have used the facility over the last 6 months or so. They could pass that on to the researchers if they wanted to... Since we have over 15 departments who use this facility each year, an average of $1500 per department would go a long way to covering service contracts...especially if the Deans of the 5 schools involved would also toss in another couple of thousand each. Consumable reimbursement and very modest beam charges (~$10/hr) would cover misc. expenses while charge for labor for those using service would help defray costs of one technical person.
I would be very interested to hear if anyone has tried a plan such as this to help cover costs. I do know that it is used at one university in a large computer lab. Everyone who uses the lab is charge $50/month. Thus they have essentially unlimited use for that month. If they only use the facilities of 1 month, they are charged accordingly. If more than 1 person from a lab uses the facility within the same month, they are still charged per person. Apparently it works quite well as they make enough money to cover equipment upgrades, although not necessarily salaries.
Please do compile and send a summary of your responses to the list since this is a topic that is of continual interest to both lab managers and users. Debby
Debby Sherman Phone: 765-494-6666 Life Science Microscopy Facility FAX: 765-494-5896 Purdue University E-mail: dsherman-at-purdue.edu S-099e Whistler Building West Lafayette, IN 47907
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Dear Listers. We are in the midst of trying to set up a new EM facility here. I am wondering how many of you out there actually support your facility with users fees? Is it realistic to expect service contracts, personnel salaries, supplies and maintenance can be recouped from fees? Or do most facilities need to be subsidized to ensure their survival? I worry that the kind of fees we would have to charge to ensure survival will scare many users away. Any suggestions, comments would be appreciated.
JoAnn Buchanan Dept. Molecular and Cellular Physiology Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford, CA 94305
Dear Listservers, I am now looking for a resonable ultramicrotome to buy. Does anybody know where I should look for used ultramicrotomes and diamond knifes? Thank's a lot in advance.
Sincerely,
Young Ho Koh, Ph.D University of Wiconsin Madison, 445 Henry Mall Madison, WI 53706
What is the available these days in terms of Critical Point Driers. Ours seems to be on its last legs and we will possibly replace it. Manufacturers and sales welcome.
-David O'Neil Institute for Marine Biosciences National Research Council of Canada 1411 Oxford Street Halifax NS Canada B3H 3Z1 ph. 902-426-8258 fax 902-426-9413 david.o'neil-at-nrc.ca
Dear JoAnn, That is always the dilemma. To fully recoup the costs of running an EM facility, you would have to charge at least $200 per hour for an SEM and $400 per hour for a TEM, and hope they were booked 60% of the time. Most researchers cannot afford that. Most university EM labs will charge university researchers much less than that, but then the university must subsidise the costs. I charge researchers $25 per hour SEM and $50 per hour TEM and that covers consummables and small incidental costs, but not service contracts (I don't have any) or my salary. I get some commercial work at commercial rates, but that is less than 5% of my time. One other point, a university with a good EM facility can use that fact to attract more research funding. There is a lot of research in many diverse fields that is enhanced or facilitated by the access to modern EMs. At 04:12 PM 5/14/01 -0700, you wrote:
} } } Dear Listers. We are in the midst of trying to set up a new EM facility } here. I am wondering how many of you out there actually support your } facility with users fees? Is it realistic to expect service contracts, } personnel salaries, supplies and maintenance can be recouped from fees? Or } do most facilities need to be subsidized to ensure their survival? I worry } that the kind of fees we would have to charge to ensure survival will scare } many users away. Any suggestions, comments would be appreciated. } } JoAnn Buchanan } Dept. Molecular and Cellular Physiology } Stanford University School of Medicine } Stanford, CA 94305 } Regards and luck, Mary
Mary Mager Electron Microscopist Metals and Materials Engineering University of British Columbia 6350 Stores Road Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z4 CANADA tel: 604-822-5648 e-mail: mager-at-interchg.ubc.ca
I have resisted diving into this issue of digitized/computer enhanced images and their use as trial exhibits as a number of good comments have been made by other well qualified scientists. For the record, I would like to note that I HAVE used digitized images and computer-processed and enhanced images (both photographs and photomicrographs) in Federal Court testimony. As several other responses to the list have noted or expressed a concern that the images might be challenged, I can assure you that they (the images) WERE questioned. Defense council objected to several computer "enhanced" or "highlighted" images which had been submitted as exhibits to support my testimony. Defense council further wanted all such images rendered inadmissible. The judge allowed me to explain to the court exactly what had been done to the questioned digital images as part of my case analysis. Though the defense council turned my phrases from "digitally recorded" and "digitally enhanced" into derogatory slurs of "digitally manipulated" and "computer-altered", the judge listened patiently to my remarks on computer digital imaging and image analysis. He then stated he could find no problem with the processes I had described and no grounds to dismiss the exhibits which he allowed to stand.
Those of us from the old "red light / dark room" days know it is very possible to "dodge" out specific regions of a photograph or "super impose" an object into a photograph which was never there in the first place. Although it took a little more time than a few keystrokes at the computer, one could achieve very convincing photographic images from the trays of the darkroom. Furthermore, in the BC (before computers) days, you seldom had to swear in court, other than your original oath, that you had not altered the images in any manner.
The credibility of the analyst / microscopist / scientist / forensic scientist/ responsible individual is the ONE THING we MUST preserve and do everything in our power to maintain.
Our credibility is the backbone of our science.
Therefore, do your scientific analysis and record ALL that you do to the evidence (i.e., images). Truthfully, report your findings and observations based upon YOUR analysis and don't "over step" your results. Be a man/woman of unquestionable character. Allow the judicial process to take it's course. (what ever course that is) THEN: To slightly paraphrase Bill Oliver's recent post, "The jury will either believe you or they won't." At that point you have done your job.
I fully realize many of the list readers are not forensic scientists and will seldom be concerned with court testimony, but permit me one last observation. Several years ago and at my request, Mr. Robert Hathaway of the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory provided me with a copy of Brouardel's Statement about the role of the Forensic Scientist which Mr. Hathaway used in his presentation. I have had it on my office AND laboratory wall ever since. (Thanks Bob; it helps to keep things in perspective.)
" If the Law has made you a witness, remain a man of science. You have no victim to avenge, no guilty or innocent person to convict or save. You must bear testimony within the limits of science. " Dr. P.C. Boarded
Respectfully submitted,
S. Frank Platek Forensic Chemistry Center U.S. Food and Drug Administration 6751 Steger Drive Cincinnati, OH 45237-3097 (513) 679-2700 X254 (513) 679-2761 FAX fplatek-at-ora.fda.gov
Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed above are those of author and do not necessarily represent those of the US Food and Drug Administration or any other Federal or State Agency.
I have some 5-to-8 year-olds who really enjoy the microworld, but whose hands can't keep up with speedy microbeasties under the lens. I remember from years past that there was a product (I think it was called 'Proto-Slo', or similar) that was viscous, roughly iso-osmotic, and designed to slow the critters down for easier observation. Is it still available? If not, does anyone have a recipe for a home-brewed equivalent?
Thank you, thank you, thank you,
Paul Grover Chief Microscopist and Bottle Washer Microvista Laboratory Lafayette, IN
We are doing immuno EM labeling experiment on formalin fixed human brain (the tissue has been fixed for more than 2 years). The labeling density is very minimal. The same antibody we have used on mice without any problem. Does anyone have experience on how to optimize the formalin fixed human tissue for immuno electron microscopy? Thank you in advance.
Xinran Liu, M.D., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Center for Basic Neuroscience UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas Phone: (214) 648-1830 Fax: (214) 648-1801 E-mail: Xinran.Liu-at-UTsouthwestern.edu
Please consider the following exciting position with ExxonMobil Chemical in Europe. If you are interested, please e-mail or contact Dr. Anton-Jan Bons in Machlen, Belgium at address anton.j.bons-at-esso.com
Please do not send replies to Mark Disko in the USA.
2-YEAR POSTDOC POSITION: TEM CHARACTERIZATION OF CATALYTIC MATERIALS
ExxonMobil Chemical Europe Inc., European Technology Center Machelen (near Brussels), Belgium
A 2-year post-doctoral research position is currently available in the Catalytic Materials Group of Basic Chemicals Technology. The group focuses on the synthesis, characterization and testing of zeolites and related materials, for application in ExxonMobil's production processes. The current position involves structural characterization by Transmission Electron Microscopy and other techniques. Facilities available in the group include TEM, FEG-SEM, EDX and XRD; a multitude of other characterization techniques is available at other ExxonMobil sites and at nearby universities. Candidates should hold a doctoral degree in physical sciences, with a strong affinity for electron microscopy, diffraction and/or crystallography. Further information can be obtained from Dr. Anton-Jan Bons, tel. +32 2 722 2838, email anton.j.bons-at-esso.com. Applications including a full CV, list of publications and name and addresses (including e-mail) of three references should be sent to ExxonMobil Chemical Europe, Human Resources Department, Hermeslaan 2, B-1831 Machelen, Belgium, as soon as possible.
Due to a rationalisation of facilities, AEA Technology is disposing of a Philips EM430 TEM/STEM.
The microscope is a 300kV instrument equipped with an Oxford Instruments EXL-II EDX system and is available with a full range of sample holders, including analytical double-tilt, heating stage, LN2 double tile cold stage and a straining stage. The instrument has been under a full service contract since new.
Ladd Research, as well as some of the other supply houses, sell CPDs. To check out ours, please go to http://www.laddresearch.com/New_Products/CPD/cpd.html
Thanks,
JD Arnott --
LADD RESEARCH 131 Dorset Lane Williston, VT 05495 USA
web site http://www.laddresearch.com
TEL 1-800-451-3406 (US) or 1-802-878-6711 (anywhere) FAX 1-802-878-8074 e-mail sales-at-laddresearch.com
Quality Since 1955
O'Neil, David wrote: } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------} The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------.} } What is the available these days in terms of Critical Point Driers. Ours } seems to be on its last legs and we will possibly replace it. Manufacturers } and sales welcome. } } -David O'Neil } Institute for Marine Biosciences } National Research Council of Canada } 1411 Oxford Street } Halifax NS Canada B3H 3Z1 } ph. 902-426-8258 } fax 902-426-9413 } david.o'neil-at-nrc.ca
} Listers (especially those in the Southeast USA): Please check out } the details of this symposium at the web link given below. } Larry
} } Materials MicroCharacterization: Today and Tomorrow } } ASM International, Oak Ridge Chapter } Educational Symposium 2001 } } The development of new materials with novel physical and mechanical } properties will play an important role in the twenty-first century } economy. Nation-wide initiatives aimed at developing nanostructured } and other complex advanced materials have been instituted. To } develop the scientific understanding today that will tomorrow enable } the synthesis of these new classes of materials, characterization } will play a central role. The relationship between novel materials } properties and the processing methods used in their synthesis will } depend on determining the structure, composition and chemical } bonding of these materials at length scales from the atomic to the } mesoscale. This year's Educational Symposium will highlight the } state-of-the-art and future directions of a variety of materials } microcharacterization techniques. A mix of well-established and } recently developed techniques will be covered. } } The Symposium will be held at the Pollard Auditorium in Oak Ridge, } as single-day event with internationally recognized speakers from } all over the country. The date of the Symposium is Thursday, May } 31, 2001. The registration is a low $100 for professionals, and $20 } for students. The registration fee includes a morning welcoming } continental breakfast, two coffee breaks, and a catered lunch. } Registrations can be confirmed by e-mail to Cheryl Lee at } cslee-at-ornl.gov. Checks should be made out to "ASM Oak Ridge } Chapter" with "Educational Symposium 2001" noted in the memo line, } and mailed to the address below. Additional information can be found } at the web site of the ASM Oak Ridge Chapter at } http://www.korrnet.org/orcasm/. } } Speaker List: } } } Larry Allard, Oak Ridge National Laboratory } Peter Nellist, Nion Co. } Tom Kelly, University of Wisconsin } Greg Rohrer, Carnegie Mellon University } Joe Michael, Sandia National Laboratory } Harald Ade, North Carolina State University } Kent Childs, Phi Co. } Paul Carpenter, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center } David Joy, University of Tennessee
-- Dr. Lawrence F. Allard Senior Research Staff Member High Temperature Materials Laboratory Oak Ridge National Laboratory 1 Bethel Valley Road Bldg. 4515, MS 6064 PO Box 2008 Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6064
Has anyone used Oil Red O to stain lipids in tissues embedded in plastics (Epon or Epon-Araldite)? If so, has this been done by staining en bloc or by staining the sections. Sections would range from 1-4 microns in thickness.
We would also consider tissues embedded in glycol methacrylate. We'd like to avoid frozen sections because we'd prefer the higher level of detail possible with plastic.
Thank you,
Jaclynn Lett, Research Assistant jlett-at-cid.wustl.edu
Faye and Carl Simons Center for Biology of Hearing and Deafness Central Institute for the Deaf 4560 Clayton Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110
FWIW, we have been using a Wacom tablet to trace outlines for image analysis. We simply used the image on the screen to guide our hand on the tablet. It really didn't take too long to develop the necessary coordination. I wonder if you would have any trouble with parallax with the LCD tablet.
The tablet has two modes of operation: typical mouse motion (relative) and screen coordinates (absolute). We had to be sure to run in screen coordinates mode to get the best performance tracing. We also had to make sure our image window was filling a large portion of the screen to get the least amount of jaggies (due to either shaking hands or limited tablet resolution) while tracing. Bigger tablets are better in that regard. We were working with a 5x7" tablet which was fairly inexpensive.
Warren S.
At 08:17 AM 5/15/2001 -0400, you wrote:
} I would appreciate from users of the Wacom PL series LCD writable tablet, } for use specifically with image analysis, not graphics arts. The ability to } trace directly on the image rather than using a mouse or pen/tablet } combination seems appropriate but would like some feedback. TIA. } } Walter F. Bobrowski } Electron Microscopy Laboratories } Drug Safety Evaluation } Pfizer Global Research and Development } 2800 Plymouth Road } Ann Arbor MI 48105
---------------------- Warren E. Straszheim Materials Analysis and Research Lab Iowa State University 23 Town Engineering Ames IA, 50011-3232
Listies: we are preparing samples for Cu grain size analysis with a focused ion beam and then doing the analysis manually. Engineering would like to know if there is any software out there that will do this automatically or with little user intervention. Vendors can respond to me off-list.
-- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Becky Holdford (r-holdford-at-ti.com) 972-598-1291 (pager) DSPS Packaging Development Texas Instruments, Inc. Dallas, TX ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Paul, We used to use glycerin in the Microbiology lab. Only way to see Chlamydomonas. At 04:45 PM 5/15/01 EDT, you wrote:
} Dear Listers, } } I have some 5-to-8 year-olds who really enjoy the microworld, but whose hands } can't keep up with speedy microbeasties under the lens. I remember from } years past that there was a product (I think it was called 'Proto-Slo', or } similar) that was viscous, roughly iso-osmotic, and designed to slow the } critters down for easier observation. Is it still available? If not, does } anyone have a recipe for a home-brewed equivalent? } } Thank you, thank you, thank you, } } Paul Grover } Regards, Mary
Mary Mager Electron Microscopist Metals and Materials Engineering University of British Columbia 6350 Stores Road Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z4 CANADA tel: 604-822-5648 e-mail: mager-at-interchg.ubc.ca
Hi Warren: I am also interested, about how much are the small tablets? Thx, Mike Coviello UT Arlington
Warren E Straszheim wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } FWIW, we have been using a Wacom tablet to trace outlines for image } analysis. We simply used the image on the screen to guide our hand on the } tablet. It really didn't take too long to develop the necessary } coordination. I wonder if you would have any trouble with parallax with the } LCD tablet. } } The tablet has two modes of operation: typical mouse motion (relative) and } screen coordinates (absolute). We had to be sure to run in screen } coordinates mode to get the best performance tracing. We also had to make } sure our image window was filling a large portion of the screen to get the } least amount of jaggies (due to either shaking hands or limited tablet } resolution) while tracing. Bigger tablets are better in that regard. We } were working with a 5x7" tablet which was fairly inexpensive. } } Warren S. } } At 08:17 AM 5/15/2001 -0400, you wrote: } } } I would appreciate from users of the Wacom PL series LCD writable tablet, } } for use specifically with image analysis, not graphics arts. The ability to } } trace directly on the image rather than using a mouse or pen/tablet } } combination seems appropriate but would like some feedback. TIA. } } } } Walter F. Bobrowski } } Electron Microscopy Laboratories } } Drug Safety Evaluation } } Pfizer Global Research and Development } } 2800 Plymouth Road } } Ann Arbor MI 48105 } } ---------------------- } Warren E. Straszheim } Materials Analysis and Research Lab } Iowa State University } 23 Town Engineering } Ames IA, 50011-3232 } } Ph: 515-294-8187 } FAX: 515-294-4563 } } E-Mail: wesaia-at-iastate.edu } Web: www.marl.iastate.edu } } Scanning electron microscopy, x-ray analysis, and image analysis of materials } Computer applications and networking
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We need a 3nm colloidal gold conjugated to strepavidin. You can now purchase conjugates at 5, 10, etc in size but not 3nm so we plan to attempt to make it. I have made 5 and 10 nm conjugates using IgG's and protein-A which turned out great and do have the instructions for the 3nm colloid. I was wondering if anyone had made a strepavidin conjugate and, if so, would you share your procedure for the conjugation? I do not know if the procedure used for IgG's would work equally well for strepavidin. Thanks, Debby
Debby Sherman Phone: 765-494-6666 Life Science Microscopy Facility FAX: 765-494-5896 Purdue University E-mail: dsherman-at-purdue.edu S-099e Whistler Building West Lafayette, IN 47907
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Very well said, Frank.
Thanks.
Gary G.
At 11:50 AM 5/15/2001, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
I am in doubt by one of our customers - specialist in image manipulations/publications. The talk is about "resolution of an digital image" - in it's virtual form - means - in a datafile format - e.g. on floppy. According to my understanding - it is described as pixel dimention of an image e.g. 1200x800 pixels + pixel digital depth e.g. 8 bit (for grayscale - 256 gray levels). This immediately determines the raw image size as uncompressed bitmap. E.g. the digital camera images resolution is defined in Megapixels defining the sensor matrix - which means - pixel X times pixel Y dimentions of image - multiplicated - independent of image ratio (rectangular, square etc.) This is understandable and clear terminology.
However the "image analysis" people,I am facing now, use the DPI or PPI parameter as a resolution measurment.
Talking about the shortcut meaning "dots per inch" or "pixels per inch" (as far as I understand it) - has only the sense when there is a specific media described/selected - monitor working at particular grafic card resolution, scanner sampling with specific optical sensor resolution, hardcopy (printout, photo, negative or videoprint) having specific size and printing head resolution....etc. This "inch" must be defined somwhere in physical way.
Some people told me that ANY image in datafile format has own RESOLUTION defined in this DPI's or PPI's... ????? How this should be understood ???
It is for me an absurd until one specifies the physical media where this "inch" is defined.
PLEASE advise with Yr experience - is that right or not - how the resolution specified in DPI should be related to image pixel per pixel resolution.
kind regards, awaiting clarification....
Krzysztof Herman EMISJA - FEI EO Poland ul.Bażancia 45A 02-892 Warszawa tel/fax: (+48 22)6449753, 6449750 mobile: (+48 601)307456 kherman-at-labsoft.com.pl www.emission.com.pl
MSA Listserver is a good source for used ultramicrotomes, but you'll have to do some searching.
Microscopy Today magazine has a used equipment for sale column toward the back. See http://www.microscopy-today.com.
Used diamond knives: It would cost a couple thousand to resharpen used ones. You might try Microstar Technologies in Texas for new ones: phone 409-291-6891, email: mistar-at-msn.com for a catalog.
I'm not affiliated with those enterprises.
Greg -- Greg Lum Computer/Microscopy Consultant Dept of Biology San Francisco State University Ph: 415/338-1339 email: glum-at-sfsu.edu
A friend is looking for a low cost inverted light microscope (ca $15,000). I am not very knowledgeable about what is available so look to you for advice.
She was particularly interested in something equivalent to the Zeiss Axiovert 100, 135, or even better, the 100TV.
I do know these are no longer being supplied by Zeiss so the names of reliable sources for used microscopes would be useful.
All information supplied will remain confidential, although I may post a list of useful contacts back onto this forum.
Regards,
Paul Webster
Paul Webster, Ph.D. Scientist II and Director Ahmanson Center for Advanced EM & Imaging House Ear Institute 2100 West 3rd Street Los Angeles CA 90057
} Some people told me that ANY image in datafile format has own RESOLUTION } defined in this DPI's or PPI's... ????? } How this should be understood ???
Some image formats include such information in the file. This allows one to have an idea about the physical dimensions of the original object. If only the value of DPI or PPI is specified for an image then it is not possible to relate it to image pixel resolution. Both DPI and size of the image in inches should be specified, then:
Krzystzof You have defined two aspects of "resolution" in your question, (1) pixel resolution relating to the sensor resolution) (2) pixels per inch on the display or printer output. A third is pixels per inch of real-world dimensions of the object being imaged. This is the spatial calibration or spatial resolution, and must be known if the sizes of objects in the image are to be measured by image analysis.
When you scan a paper image (e.g. a photographic print) on a flat-bed scanner into e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop records pixels x,y and pixels per inch in the file header. Then when the image is printed it emerges from the printer the same size as the original. In this particular case, resolution types 2 and 3 are initially the same. But both pixels x,y and ppi can be altered using Photoshop's image size dialog. If either are changed then the relationship of Type 1 and Type 2 resolution to Type 3 resolution is changed, and it will no longer be possible to determine an object's dimensions. If a digital camera or microscope image of a real-world scene is captured via a Twain grabber into Photoshop, Photoshop will report pixels x,y and also pixels per inch for such an image. It seems to define ppi by scaling the input pixels x,y into the currently-defined page, so 768x576 pixels comes out as 72 ppi on A4 paper. But the type 3 resolution, real-world pixels per inch of objects in the image, cannot be calculated until some object of known dimensions is imaged under the same conditions.
The problem here is that we tend to use the same word "resolution" to mean any of these things without specifying which. We should perhaps use a second qualifying word such as sensor resolution, pixel resolution, image resolution, print resolution, spatial resolution. This helps, but you can see from these examples that it is hard to avoid ambiguity.
Chris
} ----- Original Message ----- } From: "Krzysztof Herman" {kherman-at-labsoft.com.pl} } To: "MSA" {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} } Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2001 12:21 AM } Subject: image resolution... } } } -------------------------------------------------------------------- -- } -- } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of } America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to } ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help } http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -------------------------------------------------------------------- -- } -. } } } Hello Listservers } } I am in doubt by one of our customers - specialist in image } manipulations/publications. } The talk is about "resolution of an digital image" - in it's virtual } form - } means - in a datafile format - e.g. on floppy. } According to my understanding - it is described as pixel dimention of } an } image e.g. 1200x800 pixels + pixel digital depth e.g. 8 bit (for } grayscale - } 256 gray levels). } This immediately determines the raw image size as uncompressed } bitmap. } E.g. the digital camera images resolution is defined in Megapixels } defining } the sensor matrix - which means - pixel X times pixel Y dimentions of } image - multiplicated - independent of image ratio (rectangular, } square } etc.) This is understandable and clear terminology. } } However the "image analysis" people,I am facing now, use the DPI or } PPI } parameter as a resolution measurment. } } Talking about the shortcut meaning "dots per inch" or "pixels per } inch" (as } far as I understand it) - has only the sense when there is a specific } media } described/selected - monitor working at particular grafic card } resolution, } scanner sampling with specific optical sensor resolution, hardcopy } (printout, photo, negative or videoprint) having specific size and } printing } head resolution....etc. } This "inch" must be defined somwhere in physical way. } } Some people told me that ANY image in datafile format has own } RESOLUTION } defined in this DPI's or PPI's... ????? } How this should be understood ??? } } It is for me an absurd until one specifies the physical media where } this } "inch" is defined. } } PLEASE advise with Yr experience - is that right or not - how the } resolution } specified in DPI should be related to image pixel per pixel } resolution. } } kind regards, awaiting clarification.... } } Krzysztof Herman } EMISJA - FEI EO Poland } ul.Bażancia 45A } 02-892 Warszawa } tel/fax: (+48 22)6449753, 6449750 } mobile: (+48 601)307456 } kherman-at-labsoft.com.pl } www.emission.com.pl } } } }
We have an Americium x-ray source that we no longer need. My understanding is that disposal of this is extremely expensive. Has anyone dealt with this problem and can give me some suggestions? Thank you, Lynne C. Garone Polaroid Corp. 1265 Main St. W4-1D Waltham, MA 02451-1714 (781) 386-1446 GaroneL-at-Polaroid.com
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by (yarrabee-at-caboolture.net.au) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Thursday, May 17, 2001 at 04:16:18 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: yarrabee-at-caboolture.net.au Name: eliza
Organization: QUT
Education: Undergraduate College
Location: brisbane, qld, australia
Question: hello. i am doing an assignment for an EM subject at uni, and was wondering if anyone could steer me in the right direction. my question is about which set of methods i would use to prepare rat liver cells for the examination of mitochondrial ultrastructure. would it be fair to assume that the usual methods of sample preparation for TEM could be used in this scenario? that is, dehydration, fixation and embedding; with the protocols optimised for mitochondrial preservation? i was also wondering which if any fixative additives would be appropriate in this case, eg. tannic acid/potassium ferrocyanide. and whether any immunolocalisation specific to mitochondria would be applicable to this case. thank you for your help. eliza.
As the lead software developer for ASPEX's Personal SEM product, I have had opportunity to consider this issue. I've come to the conclusion that the crux of the problem is sloppy use of language. The word "resolution" is used in (at least) two different contexts - resolution to mean "pixel dimensions" (i.e. 1024 x 768) or resulution meaning "pixel size". Within the "pixel size" meaning there is additional ambiguity as to whether "pixel size" refers to the edge length on the *sample* as represented by a single pixel or whether "pixel size" refers to the edge length on the *display surface* (printer, monitor etc.). Typically image formats refer to the edge length of a pixel on the display surface. Many (but not all) image formats have pixel size (display surface related) data encoded with the image. This datum is just a suggestion and usually (in microscopy) does not have deep or profound meaning. Usually when the image is displayed on a video monitor, the image is displayed by mapping one display pixel to one image pixel thus overriding the suggested "pixel size" with the default ~96 to 128 dpi typical of most monitors. There is one situation in which the "pixel size" can represent more than a suggestion. If the image has a magnification marker burned into the image, the magnification marker *may* be strictly correct only when the image is displayed at the suggested pixel size. By strictly correct I mean that the magnification is defined as the scale factor between the length of a pixel edge on the sample to the length of a pixel edge on the display surface. Of course, this is not an issue if you use micron bars rather than magnification and since digital images are so easily rescaled I always recommend the use of micron bars over magnification.
Hope this helps,
Nicholas ############################### # Nicholas W. M. Ritchie # # Aspex Instruments # # 175 Sheffield Drive # # Delmont, PA 15626 # # (724) 468-5400 # # nritchie-at-aspexllc.com # ###############################
We have a software package (analySIS) from Soft Imaging System in Colorado that includes grain size analysis per ASTM specs. We use it for both SEM and LM images and have been happy with it. It allows you to manipulate your image so the grain boundaries are well defined.
Caveat: I have no involvement with SIS other than being a pleased customer.
Jane L. LaGoy Development Engineer Bodycote IMT, Inc. 155 River Street Andover, MA 01810 jlagoy-at-bodycote-imt.com
} } Hello Listers, } I was wondering if anyone out there can help me out. I am looking } for a solution of uniform particles (spheres would be nice) of a heavy } material so that it will show up nicely in backscatter. I also require that } the particle size be between 2 and 5 micron. If anyone knows of something } like this and where I can order it from, It would help me out. } Thanks in advance } Nick
Details for submission of short Contributed Talks, Registration Form and Accommodation info for the Oxford EFTEM Meeting are to be found now on the NEW Royal Microscopical Society website :
http://www.rms.org.uk (+details below) under the EVENTS link.
LT
**************************************************************************** ********* DEVELOPMENTS IN ENERGY-FILTERED ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
A meeting organised by the Royal Microscopical Society and supported by EMAG, FEI UK Ltd, JEOL (UK) Ltd., LEO EM Inc., Gatan UK, TVIPS GmbH
Department of Materials, Oxford University
Wednesday 4 July 2001
REGISTRATION Online printable form at http://www.rms.org.uk/current%20events.html#devenergy
CONTRIBUTED TALKS Contributed presentations are now being sought. Abstracts of no more than 200 words should be sent by email to: crispin.hetherington-at-materials.ox.ac.uk and should arrive by 31 May, 2001.
OVERVIEW and INVITED SPEAKERS The use of electron energy filters in analytical electron microscopy (EFTEM) is a relatively recent development that is proving to be an extremely powerful tool. In-column filters (e.g. so-called "omega-filters") and post-column filters (e.g. the "GIF") represent different approaches which have their own advantages as well as experimental difficulties. This one day meeting is designed to explore the current state of the art, both with regard to the instrumentation and also applications of EFTEM in life and physical sciences.
Dr Bernd Feja (Tietz Video & Image Processing Systems GbmH) Energy-filtered electron tomography Prof Joachim Mayer (Aachen University of Technology) EFTEM - the state of the art and future trends Dr Paul Midgley (University of Cambridge) EFTEM image series - taking elemental mapping into a new dimension Prof Michael Trendelenburg (German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ) EFTEM in biomedicine & biotechnology: Recent advances in specific element mapping
Note this meeting is timed to follow immediately the 1-day FEGTEM meeting to be held on 3 July 2001, also in Oxford.
FURTHER DETAILS Dr Crispin Hetherington, tel. 01865 273799, crispin.hetherington-at-materials.ox.ac.uk Dr Laurence Tetley, tel. 0141 330 4431, l.tetley-at-bio.gla.ac.uk
ACCOMMODATION Accommodation in Oxford is listed at http://www.oxfordcity.co.uk/accom. The top page lists the hotels in the Ł60 and Ł100 range, but there are links to many cheaper places. For students (and others?) there is also a brand new Oxford YHA at 2a Botley Rd, right next to the station. 184 beds at Ł18 (B&B). Tel 01865 762997 or try online reservations on http://www.yha.org.uk. **************************************************************************** **************** Dr Laurence Tetley Division of Infection & Immunity, IBLS, Integrated Microscopy Facility Joseph Black Building University of Glasgow Glasgow G12 8QQ
} } Hello Listers, } I was wondering if anyone out there can help me out. I am looking } for a solution of uniform particles (spheres would be nice) of a heavy } material so that it will show up nicely in backscatter. I also require that } the particle size be between 2 and 5 micron. If anyone knows of something } like this and where I can order it from, It would help me out. } Thanks in advance } Nick
This is indeed a source of confusion. "DPI" or "PPI" makes sense if you want to print something, as the printers themselves have a given resolution. For example, if you send something to a printer which has 300 DPI, it is not very useful to send an image with 1200 DPI. The details don't get printed and you are wasting space (and possibly bandwidth). So, you are right, that the medium palys a role for this measure. The other use of this value comes from scanning (negatives or photos), because again the resolution is given by the scanner in "DPI". For any microscopy work or image analysis, the values of "DPI" have little meaning, as it is the CONTENT of the image that is of interest, not the MEDIUM. Let's say you take an image in a TEM at 1,000,000x mag. On a ngative (about 10 cm), you would see roughly 10^-7 m or sample, or 100 nm. If you take a digital camera and take the same area with a roughly 1Kx1K resolution, you'd have a resolution of 2.5 x 10^8 DPI, if you wanted to refer to the real world length coordinates, clearly nonsense. However, if you printed the image on paper with a print size of 10 cm (4 inch), you would have a resolution of 250 DPI (1000 dots / 4 inch), which is a value that fits a printer resolution well.
Mike
Michael Bode, Ph.D. Soft Imaging System Corp. 1675 Carr St., #105N Lakewood, CO 80215 =================================== phone: (888) FIND SIS (303) 234-9270 fax: (303) 234-9271 email: mailto:info-at-soft-imaging.com web: http://www.soft-imaging.com ===================================
-----Original Message----- } From: Radostin Danev [mailto:rado-at-nips.ac.jp] Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2001 11:44 PM To: MSA
Dear Krzysztof,
} Some people told me that ANY image in datafile format has own RESOLUTION } defined in this DPI's or PPI's... ????? } How this should be understood ???
Some image formats include such information in the file. This allows one to have an idea about the physical dimensions of the original object. If only the value of DPI or PPI is specified for an image then it is not possible to relate it to image pixel resolution. Both DPI and size of the image in inches should be specified, then:
Dear Microscopists: } } Dr. Charles Francis of the Vascular Medicine Unit is listing for sale two EM } microscopes and other equipment from an EM lab which will be shutdown this } summer. The equipment and microscopes are at the University of Rochester } Medical Center in Rochester, NY (upstate NY). } } 1) 1989 JEOL JSM-T330A Digital Scanning EM } } 2) 1983 Zeiss EM10C Transmission EM } } Also, auxillary equipment, such as: } } Water chiller: Coldwell } } Reichert TM 60 specimen trimmer } } Two Reichert OMUS Ultramicrotomes, purchased in the late 1970's & early 80's } and still functioning well. } } LKB Historange 2218 microtome } } If you are interested in these, please e-mail } } Administrator, Elizabeth Corrigan: beth_corrigan-at-urmc.rochester.edu } } OR } } EM technical consultant, Karen Jensen, M.S.: } karen_jensen-at-urmc.rochester.edu }
I've run into this problem before, its the confusing terminology used by printers and graphic artists. In a digital microscope image the resolution is the size of the pixel in microns, everything else is related to output (screen or paper). See the following links that I took from my web page at (note that some of the URLs may wrap to a second line): http://swehsc.pharmacy.arizona.edu/exppath/micro/digimagehardware.html
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/digital/dlc/book3/chapter5/lesson1/p01.shtml Image Resolution (Kodak - Printing Digital Images)
http://graphicdesign.about.com/arts/graphicdesign/library/weekly/aa070998.htm Resolution: DPI, SPI, LPI and PPI (About.com)
http://www.adobe.com/support/techguides/printpublishing/scanning/psscanning.html Introduction to Halftones & Scanning (Adobe)
Best regards. Doug
At 01:21 AM 5/17/2001 +0200, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
.................................................................... : Douglas W. Cromey, M.S. Dept. of Cell Biology & Anatomy : : Research Specialist, Principal University of Arizona : : (office: AHSC 4212A) P.O. Box 245044 : : (voice: 520-626-2824) Tucson, AZ 85724-5044 USA : : (FAX: 520-626-2097) (NEW email: Cromey-at-Arizona.edu) : :...................................................................: http://swehsc.pharmacy.arizona.edu/exppath/ Home of: "Microscopy and Imaging Resources on the WWW"
} However the "image analysis" people, I am facing now, use } the DPI or PPI parameter as a resolution measurement. } } ... } This "inch" must be defined somewhere in physical way. } } Some people told me that ANY image in datafile format has } own RESOLUTION defined in this DPI's or PPI's... ????? } How this should be understood ??? } } It is for me an absurd until one specifies the physical } media where this "inch" is defined.
I believe the "image analysis" people you refer to speak of a different context of resolution, different from the definition of "resolution" which is common to image file formats. This latter definition is simply a preference for printing which can be changed at any time. Using your 1200 x 800 example, you could print the image at 6" by 4" at 200ppi, or print it at 12" by 8" at 100ppi ... neither one of these "print" definitions change the pixel bitmap, rather instruct the printer where on paper to put the pixel.
"Image analysis" does require a different definition for resolution which belongs to the object which is imaged ... and this definition should not change unless the original number of pixels is changed ... for example, if the original 1200 x 800 is "resampled" to 600 by 400. Image analysis might want to know the magnification of the image ... better, know the "real dimension" of a pixel, or the what the distance between pixel represents in reality. Does it represent 1 micron, 2.6 microns, etc. If this information is known, then image analysis software can calculate linear measurements or determine areas and present the information in real terms ... microns, centimeters, kilometers ... rather than pixels or dots.
As far as I know, no common image format (e.g., TIF) has a place for defining the "image analysis" context of resolution, only the "printer" definition. Rather, image analysis software needs to be instructed of what the real dimensions of a pixel are. There are softwares which will write "real" resolution definitions to a TIF file, but is would be uncommon if a different software would know where to find it. This is the case for my SEM software ... it knows where to find the magnification definition, but my Image Pro software does not.
any help? ... cheerios, shAf :o)
{} /\ {\/} /\ {\/} /\ {\/} /\ cogito, ergo zZOooOM /\ {\/} /\ {\/} /\ {\/} /\ {} Michael Shaffer, R.A. - mshaf-at-darkwing.uoregon.edu Geological Science's Electron Probe Facility - University of Oregon http://epmalab.uoregon.edu/
Am I the only one not receiving anything from the listserver. I didn't unsubscribe. I only got stuff from the ICEM folks.
Paula :-(
Paula Sicurello George Washington Univ. Medical Center Dept. of Pathology, Ross Hall rm 505 Electron Microscope Lab 2300 Eye St. Washington, DC 20037 202-994-2930 phone 202-994-2518 fax
I am using the Leica 2168 Ultrostainer in a cost recovery facility. Where it cost my users $4.25 per stain run a year ago, I will now have to charge them $21.00 per run, due to an unbelievable increase in price and reduction of quantity for supplies.
Does anyone have any suggestions regarding reducing the cost to my users, such as making stain and refilling bags, other suppliers of stain, or manufacturers of automatic stainers, etc.
Kathy Troughton Senior Research Technician University of Tennessee, Memphis
Dear Paul, If you can get your hands on a Bid Service catalogue, it will usually have a few inverted light microscopes. Bid Service is a supplier of used semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Their prices are usually too high, but they are worth a visit. www.bidservice.com At 05:27 PM 5/16/01 -0700, you wrote: } } Dear All, } } A friend is looking for a low cost inverted light microscope (ca $15,000). } I am not very knowledgeable about what is available so look to you for } advice. } } She was particularly interested in something equivalent to the Zeiss } Axiovert 100, 135, or even better, the 100TV. } } I do know these are no longer being supplied by Zeiss so the names of } reliable sources for used microscopes would be useful. } } All information supplied will remain confidential, although I may post a } list of useful contacts back onto this forum. } } } Regards, } } Paul Webster } Regards, Mary
Mary Mager Electron Microscopist Metals and Materials Engineering University of British Columbia 6350 Stores Road Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z4 CANADA tel: 604-822-5648 e-mail: mager-at-interchg.ubc.ca
you will probably get lots of answers to this but here goes: the value in pixels is a simple quantity (like distance) whereas dpi or ppi is a rate (like velocity) so they cannot be compared directly unless you can multiply the rate by inches (or in velocity by time).
You have already said that the importance of dpi is related to a physical medium. So the two important physical media are source or object originally captured and the output medium (printer, display screen etc.). If your 1200 dpi camera can focus close enough to photograph something 1 inch long then its best resolution would be 1200 dpi or the smallest thing you could see would be 1/1200 inch (approx. 20um). If you use an SEM with digital capture then it's a simple matter to calculate the digital part of it's resolution for a particular object which is photographed. The point in both cases is that the resolution changes because you can get closer or further away. But if you capture an image using a scanner then the maximum resolution (e.g. 1200 dpi is fixed).
However if you want to output this to a photographic print you may be more interested in the maximum size of print you could create. This is affected by a variety of considerations but the simplest one is to produce a picture size where the maximum detail can be shown without loss of resolution. The average human eye at optimum viewing distance can resolve about 0.2mm so the maximum good print should measure 1200x0.2mm by 800x0.2mm (i.e. 240mm x 160mm or approx. 9 x 6 inches). If you want to make a bigger picture with maximum resolution then you need a camera with more pixels, if you just want to show more detail in your sample you could keep the picture at the same size but photograph the sample closer.
So, if you are printing, the resolution of your image must be at least about 150 dpi or for screen output about 75 dpi for the average display monitor. The number of pixels required would then be dictated by how big your picture would be on screen or paper. But you might also need to consider that your audience may want to enlarge the image on screen, view a print with a magnifier or stand further back to view a display picture.
This whole situation is made worse, of course, by claimed resolutions of printers. If it's an inkjet or laser printer then the claim of 1200 dpi for output is nearer to 20um (or less depending on whose figures you use) because dithering of several ink spots is required to produce shades of grey or tones of colour whereas dye sublimation and image printers usually achieve their actual figure claimed figures of 200 or 300 dpi. So there's no point in creating an image with 400 dpi onto an inkjet print because the maximum that could be represented by the printer would be about 200 dpi.
I hope this helps.
Malcolm Haswell e.m. unit School of Sciences University of Sunderland UK
Krzysztof Herman wrote: } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Hello Listservers } } I am in doubt by one of our customers - specialist in image } manipulations/publications. } The talk is about "resolution of an digital image" - in it's virtual form - } means - in a datafile format - e.g. on floppy. } According to my understanding - it is described as pixel dimention of an } image e.g. 1200x800 pixels + pixel digital depth e.g. 8 bit (for grayscale - } 256 gray levels). } This immediately determines the raw image size as uncompressed bitmap. } E.g. the digital camera images resolution is defined in Megapixels defining } the sensor matrix - which means - pixel X times pixel Y dimentions of } image - multiplicated - independent of image ratio (rectangular, square } etc.) This is understandable and clear terminology. } } However the "image analysis" people,I am facing now, use the DPI or PPI } parameter as a resolution measurment. } } Talking about the shortcut meaning "dots per inch" or "pixels per inch" (as } far as I understand it) - has only the sense when there is a specific media } described/selected - monitor working at particular grafic card resolution, } scanner sampling with specific optical sensor resolution, hardcopy } (printout, photo, negative or videoprint) having specific size and printing } head resolution....etc. } This "inch" must be defined somwhere in physical way. } } Some people told me that ANY image in datafile format has own RESOLUTION } defined in this DPI's or PPI's... ????? } How this should be understood ??? } } It is for me an absurd until one specifies the physical media where this } "inch" is defined. } } PLEASE advise with Yr experience - is that right or not - how the resolution } specified in DPI should be related to image pixel per pixel resolution. } } kind regards, awaiting clarification.... } } Krzysztof Herman } EMISJA - FEI EO Poland } ul.Bażancia 45A } 02-892 Warszawa } tel/fax: (+48 22)6449753, 6449750 } mobile: (+48 601)307456 } kherman-at-labsoft.com.pl } www.emission.com.pl
I am trying to locate author information for the Journal of Electron Microscopy Techniques but I can't find a thing on the web. Does such a journal exist or is my mind confused? I swear I saw such a journal once.
Bob Robert R. Wise, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Plant Physiology Department of Biology and Microbiology University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI 54901 tele: (920) 424-3404 fax: (920) 424-1101 wise-at-uwosh.edu http://www.uwosh.edu/departments/biology/wise/wise.html
I am looking for a confocal microscope in the Dallas TX area that I could use. I have experience with TEM, SEM, light and standard fluorescent microscopy, but only minimal experience with confocal.
I am planning on submitting proposals for some immunohistochemistry work on inner ear tissue where I feel confocal imaging of intact tissue would yield more information that standard cross section analyses. If anyone has info on who might have a system in the Dallas area that would allow outside users or on how much it would cost to use, please contact me by my direct e-mail.
Thank you,
Karen Pawlowski, Ph.D. University of Texas at Dallas
It seems to me I remember seeing little spheres for sale in the microscopy supply house catalogues a few years ago. They were made in space, on the Shuttle, I believe, in zero gravity so were guaranteed to be perfectly round. I'm not sure of their sizes or composition (they may well be too light for your purposes). They may even have been sold as "Space Microspheres" (or "Space Balls?" - or was that a movie?)...They say the memory is the second thing that goes......
F.C. Thomas MicroAnalysis Facility Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic) Bedford Institute of Oceanography Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Canada
----- Original Message ----- } From: "Nicol Aitken" {nicol-at-semiconductor.com} To: {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2001 11:30 AM
I am trying to locate author information for the Journal of Electron Microscopy Techniques but I can't find a thing on the web. Does such a journal exist or is my mind confused? I swear I saw such a journal once.
Bob
Dear Bob, The journal was renamed some years ago; I think the new name was Microscopy Research and Technique(s). I think it still exists. Yours, Bill Tivol
The name of the journal was changed to Microscopy Research & Technique. http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/1059-910X/
} } } I am trying to locate author information for the Journal of } Electron Microscopy Techniques but I can't find a thing on the web. Does } such a journal exist or is my mind confused? I swear I saw such a journal } once. } } Bob } } Dear Bob, } The journal was renamed some years ago; I think the new name } was Microscopy } Research and Technique(s). I think it still exists. } Yours, } Bill Tivol
-- Thomas E. Phillips, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Director, Molecular Cytology Core Facility
3 Tucker Hall Division of Biological Sciences University of Missouri Columbia, MO 65211-7400 (573)-882-4712 (voice) (573)-882-0123 (fax)
In a message dated 5/17/01 2:13:23 PM, wise-at-vaxa.cis.uwosh.edu writes:
} I am trying to locate author information for the Journal of } Electron Microscopy Techniques but I can't find a thing on the web. Does } such a journal exist or is my mind confused? I swear I saw such a journal } once.
It is now Microscopy Research and Technique, very much alive. Contact Dr.John E. Johnson, Jr., the Editor in Chief, at (650) 366 1644 or email JEJ-at-Neuroscience.com
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Subject: TEM- cell colture fixation and embedding } } I need to study the ultrastructural aspects of a cell line grown on petri } dishes. Any suggestion for the best fixation and embedding protocol (no } pellets, just fixation and embedding in the dish itself) ? } } thanks
I have used Epon substitutes for this with good results. Spurr's resin reacts with the plastic dish and must be avoided. I fixed, rinsed, osmicated, rinsed as usual. Dehydration with graded ethanols. Skip the propylene oxide, it dissolves the dish. Epon will mix with ethanol well enough, I used a graded series of 2:1, 1:1, 1:2 ethanol:Epon followed by at least 2 changes of pure Epon. Frequent agitation in all of the steps containing Epon to insure removal of solvents. Polymerize as usual. Find an area on the dish you are interested in. Now get a scalpel blade and heat it in a flame. Use it to cut through the both plastic dish and the Epon. Often the stress of the cutting will separate the Epon from the dish or bit of force will separate the two. Use a file to flatten and roughen the surface of Epon away from the cells. Glue the small piece of Epon with the cells of interest to a blank Epon block with "Super Glue". Cut sections. Remember if you are cutting en face, parallel to the surface the cells were grown on, you will have very little material to section before you go all the way through your specimen and hit pure Epon.
Geoff -- ********************************************** Geoff McAuliffe, Ph.D. Neuroscience and Cell Biology Robert Wood Johnson Medical School 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854 voice: (732)-235-4583; fax: -4029 mcauliff-at-umdnj.edu **********************************************
I want to thank everyone who responded to my question about whether user fees could cover service facility charges. The answer was a resounding "NO". I received responses from 20 people, 15 of whom were facility managers across the country. All labs required subsidy from their University or individual departments. The kind of charges it would take to cover all costs would be about $200.00 per hour for SEM and $400.00 per hour for TEM and 60% usage!!. Users object to paying high prices for services, so business drops off, and the facility shuts down. The burden is best shared among departments and should involve a combination of sources including research grants, user fees, and institutional support. At best, service fees cover 30-50% of costs associated with a facility. This will give me the necessary information to (hopefully) convince the powers that be to give us some money. Otherwise, I guess the new EM will have to go in the garage.
JoAnn Buchanan Dept. Molecular and Cellular Physiology Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford, CA 94305 650-723-5856
Frank: Those space beads (SRM-1960 size of 10um, and SRM-1961 size of 30um) are latex particles produced by the NASA during the Challenger STS-6 and STS-11 missions, respectively.
At 03:24 PM 5/17/01 -0300, Frank Thomas wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Joseph Fu National Institute of Standards & Technology 100 Bureau drive Stop 8212 Gaithersburg, MD. 20899-8212 Tel: 301-975-3495 Fax: 301-869-0822 Email: jofu-at-nist.gov
F. C. Thomas wrote: ======================================================== It seems to me I remember seeing little spheres for sale in the microscopy supply house catalogues a few years ago. They were made in space, on the Shuttle, I believe, in zero gravity so were guaranteed to be perfectly round . I'm not sure of their sizes or composition (they may well be too light for your purposes). They may even have been sold as "Space Microspheres" (or "Space Balls?" - or was that a movie?)...They say the memory is the second thing that goes...... ========================================================= You have a very good memory.
SPI Supplies placed an order for these made-in-space microspheres (in the late 1970's) when the program was first announced, and we had the distinction of being the world's first purchaser of something actually made in space! I am not sure that got us anything other than a feature one night on the Nightly News. But despite all the publicity, at the time, that was given out by NASA, I am unaware of anyone who ever published anything showing that the "perfectly round" aspects of these microspheres (or any other aspect for that matter) was anything above and beyond what is routinely made on earth! We ourselves could not find that superiority, but perhaps someone better that ourselves did succeed in finding such a difference.
The last I heard about that was that someone at Lehigh University had some funding (remember we are talking about the early 1980's) to try to find that these spheres did, in some way go beyond what could be made on earth, but I never heard anything after that.
BTW, we subdivided the vial purchased form NASA, and advertised them (as we were encouraged to do) and over the years, as I met people at our exhibit booth at trade shows, I never encountered anyone who found, when examining these spheres, anything "above and beyond" earth made spheres. When the set of samples was sold off, we never replenished our stock because we could not in good conscience tell customers that the far higher price could be justified in terms of there really being something special.
Chuck
=================================================== Charles A. Garber, Ph. D. Ph: 1-(610)-436-5400 President 1-(800)-2424-SPI SPI SUPPLIES FAX: 1-(610)-436-5755 PO BOX 656 e-mail: cgarber-at-2spi.com West Chester, PA 19381-0656 USA Cust. Service: spi2spi-at-2spi.com
Look for us! ############################ WWW: http://www.2spi.com ############################ ==================================================
This is a weird question, it could only happen in Santa Cruz.
One of our EH&S people stopped by today to ask if we could analyze some dust from one of the science buildings on campus. I said 'Maybe' and listened to the rest of the story.
He told me that a new custodial employee was afraid that the dust in one of the science buildings was full of toxic material and wanted it tested. The building is a 30 year old structure that has had various sorts of biology and chemistry teaching and research labs. As far as I know there has never been any sort of problem there and EH&S keeps track of things like radiation and highly toxic situations.
I was reluctant to get involved. Our EDS could probably see some things and I could recognize some mold spores and cotton fibers, but who am I? I don't have any training or certification in toxic dust analysis. Plus I probably already think this guy is a little paranoid about dust, so I probably wouldn't find anything even if it was there.
Are there labs that can do this sort of analysis and can certify that there is nothing toxic to worry about in a sample of dust? How does one sample for these things and how do we respond to this kind of request. What are the odds that the dust is anything more than just dust? What is dust anyway?
I promised our EH&S guy that I would ask around among the smartest group of folks I know. So what do you think?
Jonathan Krupp Microscopy & Imaging Lab University of California Santa Cruz, CA 95064 (831) 459-2477 jmkrupp-at-cats.ucsc.edu
I am posting this for Ricardo Drut. Ricardo wants to know if anyone has used Tissue -Tek Tissue-Clear as a substite for Xylol, and how do you like it. You may respond to Ricardo at his email address. Thanks, Teresa
} żAlguien usa este producto como aclarante sustituto del xilol? żCon qué } resultados?
I'm wondering who would like to share a day to day consumable list for a multiple user EM (both TEM and SEM, and EDS and GIF) lab in materials science. Idealy, I would like to see a relatively exhaustive but still common consumable list with both the users (sample prep/imaging) and the service/maintenance in mind. Thanks in advance!
Chaoying Ni Director of Electron Microscopy Lab Dept. of Materials sci. and Eng. University of Delaware Newark, DE 19716 cni-at-udel.edu
I would like to get an idea about the way to look at a morphology of a nano sized powder sample in TEM.
I need to take TEM morphology pictures from MgO powder (from nano meter to a few micron size distribution) using a Cu grid. To spread a MgO particle on the grid, I will spray some kinds of alcohol on the powder which resides on the grid. Here, I would like to know what kinds of alcohol can be used to get a clear image without melting the holey carbon film on the grid.
I appreciate your comments.
Jae
******************************** Jae-yong Kim Post-doctoral Research Associate Chemistry Department Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973 Tel:631-344-4317 Fax:631-344-5815 ********************************
Is the dust toxic? Interesting question from the technophobic world. Beyond looking for the obvious heavy metals and suspicious asbestos like fibers, a microscopist/EDS analyst would have a hard time answering that question. You would have to treat the dust like a new drug to answer the question. Feed large quantities to mice and stick it into rabbit eyeballs to look for toxic symptoms and death. But don’t let the animal rights people know that you are doing such torture to animals. It is better that people get sick than to make animals suffer. UC Santa Cruz probably has a policy against such testing anyway.
Ron Vane XEI Scientific
-----Original Message----- } From: Jon Krupp {jmkrupp-at-cats.ucsc.edu} To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com}
Your particle size is a bit large for "colloidal" gold. How about magnetite spheres - as described below? Certainly they should show up in backscatter. My only concern are the on/off magnetic properties. I guess that an SEM (or optical scope!) would not be affected, but in TEM, with the powerful objective lens right next to the particles, there would be a problem. Those particles are available in graded and defined sizes from 1 to 8um. Disclaimer: ProSciTech is a world-wide distributor for Spherotech, but it makes little sense for US user to come to us. I suggest that you check out the spherotech.com site. Cheers Jim Darley ProSciTech Microscopy PLUS PO Box 111, Thuringowa QLD 4817 Australia Ph +61 7 4774 0370 Fax:+61 7 4789 2313 service-at-proscitech.com Great microscopy catalogue, 500 Links, MSDS, User Notes ABN: 99 724 136 560 www.proscitech.com
PARAMAGNETIC PARTICLES - MAGNETIC PARTICLES The magnetic particles are prepared according to the procedures described in US Patent No. 5,091,206. They are prepared by coating a layer of magnetite and polystyrene onto monodispersed (ie. uniform sized) polystyrene core particles. As a result, the magnetic particles are spherical in shape, and paramagnetic in nature. They are also very uniform in size. The magnetite contents of these magnetic particles can be adjusted but in general it represents about 10% to 15%. The magnetic particles can be easily separated from a suspension magnetically. These particles become non-magnetic when removed from a magnet, and do not retain any detectable magnetism even after repeated exposure to strong magnetic field. The magnetic particles can be used for cell separation, affinity purification, DNA probe assays, magnetic particle EIA, etc.
On Thursday, May 17, 2001 11:54 PM, Nicol Aitken [SMTP:nicol-at-semiconductor.com] wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } } Hello Listers, } } I was wondering if anyone out there can help me out. I am looking } } for a solution of uniform particles (spheres would be nice) of a heavy } } material so that it will show up nicely in backscatter. I also require } that } } the particle size be between 2 and 5 micron. If anyone knows of something } } like this and where I can order it from, It would help me out. } } Thanks in advance } } Nick
Those were sold by NIST, I believe, and were latex spheres. Latex spheres are still available in a variety of sizes, but the special property of the space grown variety was the small standard deviation of size resulting from their microgravity production. There was only one or two batches made, prior to the Challenger incident, and all were probably sold long ago.
Latex would not be a good choice, obviously, but there are gold microspheres made for antibody research that may work. I, unfortunately, don't know what sizes they are produced in or the distributors who might have them off the top of my head. However, pump a search engine with "colloidal gold" as a search phrase and you should find them all.
On Thursday, May 17, 2001 1:24 PM, Frank Thomas [SMTP:thomasf-at-AGC.BIO.NS.CA] wrote: } } Nicol - } } It seems to me I remember seeing little spheres for sale in the microscopy } supply house catalogues a few years ago. They were made in space, on the } Shuttle, I believe, in zero gravity so were guaranteed to be perfectly } round. I'm not sure of their sizes or composition (they may well be too } light for your purposes). They may even have been sold as "Space } Microspheres" (or "Space Balls?" - or was that a movie?)...They say the } memory is the second thing that goes...... } } F.C. Thomas } MicroAnalysis Facility } Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic) } Bedford Institute of Oceanography } Dartmouth, Nova Scotia } Canada } } ----- Original Message ----- } } From: "Nicol Aitken" {nicol-at-semiconductor.com} } To: {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} } Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2001 11:30 AM } Subject: Microspheres } } } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } } -------------------------------------------------------------------- ---. } } } } } } } } } } } } } } Hello Listers, } } } I was wondering if anyone out there can help me out. I am looking } } } for a solution of uniform particles (spheres would be nice) of a heavy } } } material so that it will show up nicely in backscatter. I also require } } that } } } the particle size be between 2 and 5 micron. If anyone knows of } something } } } like this and where I can order it from, It would help me out. } } } Thanks in advance } } } Nick } } } } } }
Allen R. Sampson, Owner Advanced Research Systems 317 North 4th. Street St. Charles, Illinois 60174 voice 630.513.7093 fax 630.513.7092
You think the question is strange? Be careful what you look for - you may find more than you want.
Most probably missed it, but ABC recently did a piece in their national network news about St. Charles East High School, the school my younger daughter is a junior in. For years there have been complaints of air problems in the school related to symptoms of allergic problems of all kinds. The school has tried numerous labs to try to understand what may be the cause. Well and good, my own daughter has had problems that we can directly link to her time in that school, and I'd like to know why.
During spring break this year, they brought in one company from out of state. This company discovered several molds growing behind the walls that caused the school district to just shut the whole school down. The students (over 3000 of them), after a few weeks off, are now time sharing facilities with a second high school in town while the school board decides if they will have to tear the buildings down or just remodel.
In the last week, the same molds were found infesting a number of buildings and homes in Texas. The buildings have been condemned until the problem is taken care of and several home owners are finding that it will cost them more than $50,000 just to get back into their houses.
Stachybotris(?) is the culprit. There are few studies on its effects that I am aware of, but the common assumption is that it is dangerous, if not deadly. I recall something around a year ago that pointed to the possibility of potentially serious effects on infants exposed to it. Yet the current student population had an average of 6000 student years of possible exposure without a serious link, but they can now not be exposed for a second more. In fact, after weeks of debate, the school reluctantly allowed parents in for a limited time to collect anything left in school and gym lockers, after signing legal waivers and being checked in and out (I did not appreciate collecting gym clothes after weeks of fermentation).
On a similar vein, in the Chicago area, there has been considerable sensitivity to mercury. Several contractors hired by the local electrical utility apparently screwed up the replacement of mercury containing usage meters. It got to the point where the utility was doing forced testing of any home that may have been affected - if any trace of mercury was found, expensive remediation efforts were required before the homeowners were allowed back in.
One poor dope, in this time frame, uncertain what to do after breaking a mercury thermometer at his place of work, decided to call the local fire department. The building was immediately shutdown and quarantined by the EPA and the business had to wait, and pay for, space-suited remediation teams to clear all traces of mercury from the building.
In the case of both contaminants, potential levels of exposure were not a consideration. Simply finding one of these contaminants resulted in the unrealistic total quarantine response. I'm sure that these responses are not isolated in today's litigious society, just not documented as a whole.
Any building built 30 - 40 years ago was probably of a certain 'energy efficient' design of the time. In other words, windows don't open and fresh air don't get in. While reducing the loss of heated or cooled air, and thus producing less of a load on HVAC designs, these buildings essentially ensure that anything entering their environment will stay there. That includes moisture, which promotes bacterial, mold and fungus growth, as well as any material introduced. 'Sick Building Syndrome' is now a classified problem that covers more than you can imagine - including the release of gaseous compounds from new carpeting, upholstery, wood and plastic materials as well as any seemingly minor release of any solid, liquid or gaseous material that ever happened in the building.
Take my advice for what you paid - let the EH&S people find their own resources. This seemingly simple request could end up in a major political pain in the ass in your institution. If EH&S finds a problem like the above, then they can take cover in the fact that they were just doing their job. If you are responsible for finding it, you may not have that kind of protection. Rest assured, if a major problem ensues, EH&S will be more than happy to pass the credit to you.
On Thursday, May 17, 2001 5:27 PM, Jon Krupp [SMTP:jmkrupp-at-cats.ucsc.edu] wrote: } } Hi: } } This is a weird question, it could only happen in Santa Cruz. } } One of our EH&S people stopped by today to ask if we could analyze some } dust from one of the science buildings on campus. I said 'Maybe' and } listened to the rest of the story. } } He told me that a new custodial employee was afraid that the dust in one of } the science buildings was full of toxic material and wanted it tested. The } building is a 30 year old structure that has had various sorts of biology } and chemistry teaching and research labs. As far as I know there has never } been any sort of problem there and EH&S keeps track of things like } radiation and highly toxic situations. } } I was reluctant to get involved. Our EDS could probably see some things and } I could recognize some mold spores and cotton fibers, but who am I? I don't } have any training or certification in toxic dust analysis. Plus I probably } already think this guy is a little paranoid about dust, so I probably } wouldn't find anything even if it was there. } } Are there labs that can do this sort of analysis and can certify that there } is nothing toxic to worry about in a sample of dust? How does one sample } for these things and how do we respond to this kind of request. What are } the odds that the dust is anything more than just dust? What is dust } anyway? } } I promised our EH&S guy that I would ask around among the smartest group of } folks I know. So what do you think? } } } Jonathan Krupp } Microscopy & Imaging Lab } University of California } Santa Cruz, CA 95064 } (831) 459-2477 } jmkrupp-at-cats.ucsc.edu } } }
Allen R. Sampson, Owner Advanced Research Systems 317 North 4th. Street St. Charles, Illinois 60174 voice 630.513.7093 fax 630.513.7092
Whoops in my last mailing my spell checker helped me to send an error in the last paragraph about printers. The 20 um should have been 200 dpi in the sixth line below:-
} Krzystof } you will probably get lots of answers to this but here goes: } {SNIP} } This whole situation is made worse, of course, by claimed resolutions of } printers. If it's an inkjet or laser printer then the claim of 1200 dpi } for output is nearer to 20um (or less depending on whose figures you } use) because dithering of several ink spots is required to produce } shades of grey or tones of colour whereas dye sublimation and image } printers usually achieve their actual figure claimed figures of 200 or } 300 dpi. So there's no point in creating an image with 400 dpi onto an } inkjet print because the maximum that could be represented by the } printer would be about 200 dpi.
I guess it just shows how easy it is to mix up pixel size and dpi.
Malcolm Haswell e.m. unit School of Sciences University of Sunderland UK
I would admit I am not an expert and collect a quick EDX spectrum for heavy metals and have a look for asbestos fibres.
Dave
On Thu, 17 May 2001 15:26:34 -0700 Jon Krupp {jmkrupp-at-cats.ucsc.edu} wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Hi: } } This is a weird question, it could only happen in Santa Cruz. } } One of our EH&S people stopped by today to ask if we could analyze some } dust from one of the science buildings on campus. I said 'Maybe' and } listened to the rest of the story. } } He told me that a new custodial employee was afraid that the dust in one of } the science buildings was full of toxic material and wanted it tested. The } building is a 30 year old structure that has had various sorts of biology } and chemistry teaching and research labs. As far as I know there has never } been any sort of problem there and EH&S keeps track of things like } radiation and highly toxic situations. } } I was reluctant to get involved. Our EDS could probably see some things and } I could recognize some mold spores and cotton fibers, but who am I? I don't } have any training or certification in toxic dust analysis. Plus I probably } already think this guy is a little paranoid about dust, so I probably } wouldn't find anything even if it was there. } } Are there labs that can do this sort of analysis and can certify that there } is nothing toxic to worry about in a sample of dust? How does one sample } for these things and how do we respond to this kind of request. What are } the odds that the dust is anything more than just dust? What is dust } anyway? } } I promised our EH&S guy that I would ask around among the smartest group of } folks I know. So what do you think? } } } Jonathan Krupp } Microscopy & Imaging Lab } University of California } Santa Cruz, CA 95064 } (831) 459-2477 } jmkrupp-at-cats.ucsc.edu } } }
---------------------------------------- Patton, David Email: David.Patton-at-uwe.ac.uk "University of the West of England"
On Thu, 17 May 2001 17:53:04 -0500 Jae Kim {jkim-at-bnl.gov} wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } Dear All: } } I would like to get an idea about the way to look at a morphology of a nano } sized powder sample in TEM. } } I need to take TEM morphology pictures from MgO powder (from nano meter to } a few micron size distribution) using a Cu grid. To spread a MgO particle } on the grid, I will spray some kinds of alcohol on the powder which resides } on the grid. Here, I would like to know what kinds of alcohol can be used } to get a clear image without melting the holey carbon film on the grid. } } I appreciate your comments. } } Jae } } ******************************** } Jae-yong Kim } Post-doctoral Research Associate } Chemistry Department } Brookhaven National Laboratory } Upton, NY 11973 } Tel:631-344-4317 } Fax:631-344-5815 } ******************************** }
---------------------------------------- Patton, David Email: David.Patton-at-uwe.ac.uk "University of the West of England"
I can't think of any electron dense spheres of the size that you suggest. The nearest I have seen is approx. 1um diameter latex spheres which are probably available from most suppliers. If you want electron density you could perhaps consider fixing some in a 1 or 2% solution of osmium tetroxide for 1 hour or more. You could then wash and examine them to see if they have enough density, retain size and shape. An alternative might be to gold sputter coat latex beads but they would have to be dried down then resuspended and the gold might wash off. I haven't tried either of these but if you use them and they work I would love to know.
Malcolm
Malcolm Haswell e.m. unit School of Sciences University of Sunderland UK
Nicol Aitken wrote: } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } Hello Listers, } } I was wondering if anyone out there can help me out. I am looking } } for a solution of uniform particles (spheres would be nice) of a heavy } } material so that it will show up nicely in backscatter. I also require } that } } the particle size be between 2 and 5 micron. If anyone knows of something } } like this and where I can order it from, It would help me out. } } Thanks in advance } } Nick
Although not accredited to do this kind of work "officially", I once put some dust collected from air filters in a building in the SEM. A friend of mine was the enivironment manager for a local communications company, and they were concerned about toxins in the workplace. The mold "Stachybotris" was one thing we were looking for (but didn't find). We also found no aluminosilicate fibres which could have been asbestos. We did find clay particles, combustion products, lots of little "organic" fibres (wool? polyester? cotton?) and assorted bits of micro-crud (that's a technical term). EDS analysis of some bits showed fair amounts of titanium, which I understand is a common ingredient in paints. So there wasn't anything obviously very worrisome in there. But never underestimate the power of Stachybotris - we had a large part of the Institute here shut down and then rebuilt a couple years ago because of it. Cost God knows how much, and people here are still concerned if someone finds a black stain on anything that could be damp. Anyway, dust analysis can be a pretty interesting exercise - I wish I had a copy of the McCrone Particle Atlas - it probably would have helped a lot.
Frank Thomas MicroAnalysis Facility Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic) Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Canada
----- Original Message ----- } From: "Jon Krupp" {jmkrupp-at-cats.ucsc.edu} To: {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2001 7:26 PM
Listers -
Those of you with LaB6 experience - is it possible for one to fail in such a way that it still shows a "normal" emission current on all the gauges, yet is not producing a findable beam? Last Monday we stripped our ESEM down for a bi-annual cleaning, inspected everything, including the LaB6 (which looked fine, and had been working well up to that point), put the whole thing back together, and were unable to find a beam. Now we've done this any number of times in the last 8 years, and it's never more than a few minutes to find the beam afterwards. Turn the condensor down low, select a 3mm "hole" instead of a projection aperture, and bingo, there it is - a big, shiny, beam like a floodlight. This time, nothing. Not a glimmer of "light" on the monitor, even though the LaB6 is "on", with 15KeV, and a "normal" emission current. We've had the column back apart 4 times now, to see if there's some physical blockage somewhere which might prevent the beam from reaching the chamber, but everything looks great. Even checked the performance of the chamber isolation valve, in case it was failing to open, but it's working properly. So I'm left with thinking maybe it's the LaB6, but in the past when we had one fail, it either suddenly began producing a strange, assymetrical beam, with normal emission current readings, or no beam at all, with no emission current showing. What gives? We have a new LaB6 on order, as a spare, so when it arrives I'll put it in, unless somebody has any other ideas....
Frank Thomas MicroAnalysis Facility Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic) Bedford Institute of Oceanography Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Canada
Some time ago, someone in our chemistry department made a aqueous suspension of silica microspheres, about half a micron in diameter. If this was allowed to dry out, the spheres formed a close-packed lattice, similar to that in opal which gives rise to the lovely diffraction colours. When examining this lattice under the SEM, we found that this made an ideal target for the AUTO aSTIGmatism control, so when examining something bland such as a fine textured plastic surface, one could use a clump of these spheres as a target and then have the optics just right for examining the bland specimen.
Alas, the suspension of spheres has degenerated into some sort of "goo", and no more is available. Are there any other sources of spheres of this size? The 1 to 8 micron space spheres are probably a little too big, and I am a bit wary of what magnetite spheres might do in the electric field of the SEM.
+----------------------------------------------------------------+ Robert H.Olley J.J.Thomson Physical Laboratory University of Reading Whiteknights Reading RG6 6AF England +----------------------------------------------------------------+ Phone: {direct line +44 (0) 118 9318572 {University internal extension 7867 Fax: +44 (0) 118 9750203 Email: R.H.Olley-at-reading.ac.uk URL: http://www.reading.ac.uk/~spsolley +----------------------------------------------------------------+
Did anyone mention that in the video world, "resolution" has long meant half of the value as used by computer people?
Television technicians (or composite video monitor specs, etc.) will still speak of "resolution" as in "lines of resolution" as in the number of vertical black lines that can be discerned apart from a white background.
I wasn't involved in the NIST (NBS then - before my time) work but a quick search of NASA web brought up this report and many more on the microspheres: http://samson2.msfc.nasa.gov/fame/exps/van-011.html it contains references to journal articles for those interested in more information. SRM 1960 and 1961 are listed as available as Standard Reference Materials at http://srmcatalog.nist.gov/ Scott
} -- [ From: Garber, Charles A. * EMC.Ver #3.1 ] -- } } } SPI Supplies placed an order for these made-in-space microspheres (in the } late 1970's) when the program was first announced, and we had the } distinction of being the world's first purchaser of something actually made } in space! I am not sure that got us anything other than a feature one night } on the Nightly News. But despite all the publicity, at the time, that was } given out by NASA, I am unaware of anyone who ever published anything } showing that the "perfectly round" aspects of these microspheres (or any } other aspect for that matter) was anything above and beyond what is } routinely made on earth! We ourselves could not find that superiority, but } perhaps someone better that ourselves did succeed in finding such a } difference. } } The last I heard about that was that someone at Lehigh University had some } funding (remember we are talking about the early 1980's) to try to find that } these spheres did, in some way go beyond what could be made on earth, but I } never heard anything after that. } } BTW, we subdivided the vial purchased form NASA, and advertised them (as we } were encouraged to do) and over the years, as I met people at our exhibit } booth at trade shows, I never encountered anyone who found, when examining } these spheres, anything "above and beyond" earth made spheres. When the } set of samples was sold off, we never replenished our stock because we could } not in good conscience tell customers that the far higher price could be } justified in terms of there really being something special. }
------------------------------------------------------------------ Scott Wight fax: 301-417-1321 NIST 222/A113 W voice: 301-975-3949 100 Bureau Dr STOP 8371 | email: scott.wight-at-nist.gov Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8371 \|/ disclaimer: Any opinion expressed is my own and does not represent those of my employer.
I will just add my personal variations to the general method described by Geoff McAuliff:
Fjx & dehydrate (ethanols) as usual.
I have found that the following "hybrid" Epon analog separates cleanly from the culture dish just about every time. I Use LLX112 and DMP-3o, both from Ladd, and DDSA and NMA from Electron Microscopy Sciences. I have no clue why this particular mix works best, but a number of years ago, I got my hands on just about every component from every manufacturer and found that this mix did not react with the dishes at all, while many of the others did to some extent. I'd previously assumed that these components were all manufactured by one lab and just sold by the various vendors under their individual names, but the LX1l12 looks different than the other Epon812 substitutes.
The other thing that I do differently is in the actual embedding. I put a thin layer of the mixed resin into the dish (2 mm?), and insert tubes (made by cutting the pyramidal ends off of BEEM capsules)over areas of interest. I partially polymerize this (overnight) and in the morning, I fill JUST THE TUBES the rest of the way with more resin and then fully polymerize it all. When Its "cooked" I take a pair of needlle-nosed pliers, grab a tube and break it out with a slight twist to apply shearing force. It comes out cleanly. sometimes a small bit of the dish will come with it, but that pops right off when you start to trim the block. I just took a batch out of the oven this morning. I have nice clean faces with the cells clearly visible.
good luck, Lee Leona Cohen-Gould, M.S. Sr. Staff Associate Director, Electron Microscopy Core Facility Manager, Optical Microscopy Core Facility Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University voice (212)746-6146 fax (212)746-8175
I am posting this for Ricardo Drut. Ricardo wants to know if anyone has used Tissue -Tek Tissue-Clear as a substite for Xylol, and how do you like it. You may respond to Ricardo at his email address. Thanks, Teresa
} żAlguien usa este producto como aclarante sustituto del xilol? żCon qué } resultados?
You might try talking with Jim McCarthy. Jim is part of our EH&S group in our Sudbury Lab. Jim has had experience disposing of radioactive sources. Jim's contact information follows.
Lenn C. Kupferberg Principal Physicist Raytheon Company Electronic Systems Lexington Laboratory 131 Spring Street Lexington, MA 02421-7803 (781)860-3082
James J. McCarthy Raytheon Company C3I Sudbury Laboratory 528 Boston Post Road Sudbury, Mass. 01776 (978)440-4047 James_J_McCarthy-at-raytheon.com
---------------------- Forwarded by Lenn C Kupferberg/RES/Raytheon/US on 05/18/2001 08:09 AM ---------------------------
Norman C Miller 05/17/2001 06:02 PM
To: Lenn C Kupferberg/RES/Raytheon/US-at-MAIL cc:
We have an Americium x-ray source that we no longer need. My understanding is that disposal of this is extremely expensive. Has anyone dealt with this problem and can give me some suggestions? Thank you, Lynne C. Garone Polaroid Corp. 1265 Main St. W4-1D Waltham, MA 02451-1714 (781) 386-1446 GaroneL-at-Polaroid.com
We have a Philips 400T for sell. It had been kept on contract. And the whole system, including EDS and STEM, has been in full function before it was moved out of the lab and packed to have space for a 200kV scope. Anybody interested in purchasing please contact me off line. Thanks
Chaoying Ni Director of Electron Microscopy Lab Dept. of Materials sci. and Eng. University of Delaware Newark, DE 19716 cni-at-udel.edu
I'm going to build an EM lab server to run web and other applications, to share files, especially to have an interactive wed scheduling software to schedule and monitor usage of our 2 TEMs and 2 SEMs. Right now I have narrow down the platform to Linux and Windows 2000. Could you please give me some inputs concerning the pros and cons of these two operating systems? Any comments and suggestions on the hardware selection are also more than welcome. Thanks in advance!
Chaoying Ni Electron Microscopy Lab Dept. of Materials sci. and Eng. University of Delaware Newark, DE 19716 cni-at-udel.edu
} } This is a weird question, it could only happen in Santa Cruz. } } One of our EH&S people stopped by today to ask if we could analyze some } dust from one of the science buildings on campus. I said 'Maybe' and } listened to the rest of the story. }
I have several times been asked by our Environmental Medical people to analyze specific samples of deposits found in various places around the campus, usually finding them to be quite benign (steel filings, plaster dust, (presumably from sheetrock), soap deposits, etc. etc). The steel and plaster I did with the SEM, other things (like the soap) I passed to other members of our team here for techniques like FTIR.
Taking a generalized "dust" sample and proving beyond doubt that it is harmless is a totally different issue.
Dust, of course, is simply whatever happens to fall on the floor that is too small to be picked up piece-by-piece. Dust in the bedroom at home is very different from dust in a laboratory. In some cases it will be dominated by biological material (human skin and hair, and fibers from clothing). In other cases by residue from construction activities in other parts of a building. Depending on the ventilation arrangements, particulate matter from outside may be brought in. This could contain soots from internal combustion engines or oil or coal fired electric plants, or even wildfires, or fine mineral particles (sometimes from very remote sources), as well, possibly, as aerosols or other particulates from local industrial activity. There will always be material brought in on shoes, especially in the winter, and, of course, wear debris from traffic in the floor.
Can a non-specialist determine whether it is "hazardous"? (What is "hazardous", anyway?) Not in my book. There is just too much to look for, especially if you are trying to reassure a paranoid and suspicious person. One example - does finding Si and Al in a particle tell you that it is asbestos? Of course not. Does a failure to find Si and Al mean asbestos is absent? Again, of course not - it could simply be a minor constituent, and the elemnts below the detectability limit.
Good luck!
Tony.
** Anthony J. Garratt-Reed ** MIT Room # 13-1027 ** 77 Massachusetts Avenue ** Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 ** USA ** ** Phone: (+) 1-617-253-4622 ** Fax: (+) 1-617-258-6478 **
I have done bunches of SEM shots of house dust. Really quite interesting. This was not a search for a smoking gun, just an interesting exercise. I found (all very small) fibers, skin flakes, odds and ends of all other sorts of things. There we no mites or other live (before SEM) or dead organisms that I could find. The specimens were taken on a sticky stub sitting on top of a TV so the static electricity would draw room junk to the stub. It did.
I have several other ones at floor level which I have not yet imaged. I usually wait about 4 months before coating and imaging. This guarantees a good smattering of crud.
Old buildings would have, I think, Aspergillis mold. This would explain respiratory problems and many ills. There are other mold types of course.
gary g.
At 03:26 PM 5/17/2001, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
I am interested in studying mitochondrial ultrastructure in various tissues during hypoperfusion and was wondering if there were any specific TEM stains/techniques or immunofluorescent techniques for examining the mitochondrial permeability transition? Thanks.
Michael J. Menconi, Ph.D.
Department of Surgery Brigham and Women's Hospital Medical Research Building, Room 502 75 Francis Street Boston, MA 02115 Phone: 617-278-0693 FAX: 617-582-6047 Email: mmenconi-at-partners.org
Nick - Check out Duke Scientific (dukescientific.com) who sell a range of different size microspheres for calibration purposes. Many are either glass, silica or polystyrene which won't specifically meet your high Z requirement, however, you could easily coat them with Au or Pd or some other metal.
Dave Joswiak Dept. of Astronomy University of Washington Seattle, WA 98195 joswiak-at-astro.washington.edu (206)543-7702
On Thu, 17 May 2001, Nicol Aitken wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } } Hello Listers, } } I was wondering if anyone out there can help me out. I am looking } } for a solution of uniform particles (spheres would be nice) of a heavy } } material so that it will show up nicely in backscatter. I also require } that } } the particle size be between 2 and 5 micron. If anyone knows of something } } like this and where I can order it from, It would help me out. } } Thanks in advance } } Nick } }
Prof. Barajon, take a look in our paper entitled "SANTOS & MARIATH, 1997. A simple method for fixing, dehydrating and embedding pollen tubes cultivated in vitro for optical and transmission electron microscopy. Biotechnic & Histochemistry, 72(6): 315-319" . Could be your problem solution! Hoping success! Mariath
----- Original Message ----- } From: "Geoff McAuliffe" {mcauliff-at-umdnj.edu} To: "Prof. Barajon" {isabella.barajon-at-unimi.it} Cc: {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2001 4:31 PM
Dear Paul, I seem to remember using a 3% solution of methyl cellulose to slow down paramecium.I suppose the concentration can be adusted for larger beasties.
Christine Richardson E.M.Unit University of Durham Dept.Biological Science
Durham England -----Original Message----- } From: "Pbgrover-at-aol.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com [mailto:"Pbgrover-at-aol.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2001 9:46 PM To: microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
Dear Listers,
I have some 5-to-8 year-olds who really enjoy the microworld, but whose hands can't keep up with speedy microbeasties under the lens. I remember from years past that there was a product (I think it was called 'Proto-Slo', or similar) that was viscous, roughly iso-osmotic, and designed to slow the critters down for easier observation. Is it still available? If not, does anyone have a recipe for a home-brewed equivalent?
Thank you, thank you, thank you,
Paul Grover Chief Microscopist and Bottle Washer Microvista Laboratory Lafayette, IN
I am trying to find out whether there is anyone or organization that is available to service a Peak Instrument Co. Focus MCS 4 Multi Element Crystal Spectrometer Model O,C,N,B integrated with a PGT Imix System.
Thanks for your help.
Stanley H. Gelles Senior Group Leader CC Technologies 614-761-1214 FAX 614-761-1633
Dear Paul, I seem to remember using a 3% solution of methyl cellulose to slow down paramecium.I suppose the concentration can be adusted for larger beasties.
Christine Richardson E.M.Unit University of Durham Dept.Biological Science Durham England
Dear Paul, I seem to remember using a 3% solution of methyl cellulose to slow down paramecium.I suppose the concentration can be adusted for larger beasties.
Christine Richardson E.M.Unit University of Durham Dept.Biological Science
Durham England -----Original Message----- } From: "Pbgrover-at-aol.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com [mailto:"Pbgrover-at-aol.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2001 9:46 PM To: microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
Dear Listers,
I have some 5-to-8 year-olds who really enjoy the microworld, but whose hands can't keep up with speedy microbeasties under the lens. I remember from years past that there was a product (I think it was called 'Proto-Slo', or similar) that was viscous, roughly iso-osmotic, and designed to slow the critters down for easier observation. Is it still available? If not, does anyone have a recipe for a home-brewed equivalent?
Thank you, thank you, thank you,
Paul Grover Chief Microscopist and Bottle Washer Microvista Laboratory Lafayette, IN
Bad luck indeed. It would be helpful to know what make of LaB6 you are using because the physical construction may have a great deal to do with the diagnosis of your problem. Anyway, what I suspect, given the eight years of experience with your instrument is that nothing incorrect was done on your part but rather, the LaB6 itself has gone bad. If you have not done so yet, it might be helpful to recenter the tip and while you have everything out, take a very close look at the crystal itself. They have been known to seperate from their heater block and thermal shock can cause the crystal to crack, causing mechanical displacement. The crystal may have actually fallen off the block and all you are doing is heating the carbon heater. If you can, it would eliminate a bunch of variable if you would install a plain old hair-pin Tungsten Filament and see how the instrument behaves.
Good luck.
Alex Greene SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTATION SERVICES, INC. PMB-499, 1807 West Slaughter Lane, Number 200 Austin, Texas 78748-6200 Phone 512/282-5507 FAX 512/280-0702
Sustaining Member - MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA ----- Original Message ----- } From: "Frank Thomas" {thomasf-at-AGC.BIO.NS.CA} To: {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} Sent: Friday, May 18, 2001 7:53 AM
If your column has a column liner and an aperture at the bottom of the liner, could it have gotten some crud on it during your work on the system? I would think that with this aperture blocked, there would not be any emission current.
What about carefully checking the SE detector? Faraday shield (make sure it is in-place correctly), check the scintillator disc, etc. It sounds like the beam is there but the SEs are not being detected. If you have a Faraday cup in or for your specimen holder, use a large aperture (or none) and see if you get specimen current (I use the stage alarm BNC connection to do this with a 10Meg Ohm DVM. I=V/10^6).
Just a thought.
gary g.
At 05:53 AM 5/18/2001, you wrote:
} Listers - } } Those of you with LaB6 experience - is it possible for one to fail in such a } way that it still shows a "normal" emission current on all the gauges, yet } is not producing a findable beam? } Last Monday we stripped our ESEM down for a bi-annual cleaning, inspected } everything, including the LaB6 (which looked fine, and had been working well } up to that point), put the whole thing back together, and were unable to } find a beam. Now we've done this any number of times in the last 8 years, } and it's never more than a few minutes to find the beam afterwards. Turn the } condensor down low, select a 3mm "hole" instead of a projection aperture, } and bingo, there it is - a big, shiny, beam like a floodlight. } This time, nothing. Not a glimmer of "light" on the monitor, even though the } LaB6 is "on", with 15KeV, and a "normal" emission current. We've had the } column back apart 4 times now, to see if there's some physical blockage } somewhere which might prevent the beam from reaching the chamber, but } everything looks great. Even checked the performance of the chamber } isolation valve, in case it was failing to open, but it's working properly. } So I'm left with thinking maybe it's the LaB6, but in the past when we had } one fail, it either suddenly began producing a strange, assymetrical beam, } with normal emission current readings, or no beam at all, with no emission } current showing. What gives? We have a new LaB6 on order, as a spare, so } when it arrives I'll put it in, unless somebody has any other ideas.... } } Frank Thomas } MicroAnalysis Facility } Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic) } Bedford Institute of Oceanography } Dartmouth, Nova Scotia } Canada
In response to Ron Vane's response to the dust analysis question: I think you, Ron, should keep your political views about animal testing out of this forum, especially since they seem to be oversimplified.
Jane L. LaGoy Development Engineer Bodycote IMT, Inc. 155 River Street Andover, MA 01810 jlagoy-at-bodycote-imt.com
the stachybotris link http://gcrc.cwru.edu/stachy/
At 12:35 AM 5/18/01 -0500, Allen R. Sampson wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
this is the airborne fungi database http://www.bio.psu.edu/People/Faculty/Whittam/apdbase/fungus.html
At 12:35 AM 5/18/01 -0500, Allen R. Sampson wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by (colonel-at-natca.net) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Friday, May 18, 2001 at 17:55:26 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: colonel-at-natca.net Name: M. B. Ingersoll
Organization: Schufeldt Academy
Education: 6-8th Grade Middle School
Location: Euless, TX, USA
Question: We are a homeschooling family. I have been all over the Internet trying to find information (and hopefully a manual) for a recently purchased, refurbished microscope.
The unit is a monocular, three objective (10x, 40x, 100x) self illuminated model with mechanical staging and a variable condensor. I am an Air Traffic Controller and not a microscopist so please forgive me if I misuse any terminology.
From the markings I believe the manufacturer was SPI or PSI (the letters S-P-I are arranged in that order in a diamond shaped logo). There are two more numbers under the logo; 1804 (a model number?) and 23490 (preceded by "No." - presumably a serial number?). I was told the unit is aproximately 30 years old.
Lastly, there is a small paper label on the underside of the base with the word "JAPAN" on it.
Can you provide any information or point me to another source?
Ultimately this is a matter of personal preference and other requirements. Are you an experienced Linux or Unix system administrator? Will you be responsible for administration and security? What would your local network administrator prefer/suggest? What languages and development environments for you applications do you want to use? What database system will you use? These are just some examples of the kinds of questions you should address first.
We have a Windows 2000 Server, with IIS 5.0 and FrontPage Server Extensions and MS Access for databases. We chose this system for several reasons: myself and the other developer are most comfortable developing software using Visual Basic and vbscript; it is much easier to build and administrate than a Linux system (at least for me), although I believe in any case the time investment would be lower; at an educational institution cost of the licenses is not much of an issue; you can automatically receive update notifications (security); we just recently added a RAID 1 (mirroring) system to protect from data loss and down time due to hard drive failures (trivial to set up); preferred OS of our local network administrator; among others.
Of course, you might answer these questions entirely differently and your answer might be Linux with Apache, java server pages(JSP) or PHP, MySQL, etc.
Chao-Ying Ni wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Dear colleagues, } } I'm going to build an EM lab server to run web and other applications, } to share files, especially to have an interactive wed scheduling software } to schedule and monitor usage of our 2 TEMs and 2 SEMs. Right now I have } narrow down the platform to Linux and Windows 2000. Could you please give } me some inputs concerning the pros and cons of these two operating } systems? Any comments and suggestions on the hardware selection are also } more than welcome. Thanks in advance! } } Chaoying Ni } Electron Microscopy Lab } Dept. of Materials sci. and Eng. } University of Delaware } Newark, DE 19716 } cni-at-udel.edu
Respectfully, views on animal research seem to be perfectly suited to civil discourse on this venue. Probably a significant number of the listserver are involved with animal research. Issues affecting our colleagues are definitely worth discussion and not to be censored by labeling those opinions as political and oversimplified.
Chuck Butterick Engineered Carbons, Inc. Borger, TX 79008
____________________________
In response to Ron Vane's response to the dust analysis question: I think you, Ron, should keep your political views about animal testing out of this forum, especially since they seem to be oversimplified.
Jane L. LaGoy Development Engineer Bodycote IMT, Inc. 155 River Street Andover, MA 01810 jlagoy-at-bodycote-imt.com
Go with the one you have the in house expertise to support. If you have to support it yourself and don't want to spend time learning Linux or Unix Windows is the easiest way. If you want to add a skill to your resume Linux or Unix is a very marketable skill and makes a much more stable and secure platform.
My Linux server has been up 252 days and it has two and a half years since any software updates have been done except to patch some security flaws. The only problems I have had were a break in and a processor that went bad. I have had zero problems from software instability. But I had a good system administrator set it up.
The secret to a stable system is once it is running like you want it leave it alone. If you want to tinker with something get another system on line to play with don't do it to the one that is in production. Once it is working on the other system put it on the production system.
Gordon Gordon Couger gcouger-at-couger.com Stillwater, OK www.couger.com/gcouger
} } Dear colleagues, } } } } I'm going to build an EM lab server to run web and other applications, } } to share files, especially to have an interactive wed scheduling software } } to schedule and monitor usage of our 2 TEMs and 2 SEMs. Right now I have } } narrow down the platform to Linux and Windows 2000. Could you please give } } me some inputs concerning the pros and cons of these two operating } } systems? Any comments and suggestions on the hardware selection are also } } more than welcome. Thanks in advance! } } } } Chaoying Ni } } Electron Microscopy Lab } } Dept. of Materials sci. and Eng. } } University of Delaware } } Newark, DE 19716 } } cni-at-udel.edu } }
SPI (and I forget what this stands for) is the company that you want. They may still be in business and you might check through the search engines for them one thing that I remember about SPI is that they also imported micrometers and other materials also related to the precision machine industry.
We regret that we have none of this company's catalogs or info here in the archive, our collection of catalogs and inst. books is growing though, If something comes in we will be happy to let you know. However if you do obtain any documentation on this and wish to forward us a Xerox please feel free to send to:
coury house / smecc 5902 w palmaire ave glendale az 85301
Good luck in the hunt!
Ed Sharpe Archivist for SMECC
} Subj: Ask-A-Microscopist:Looking for a manual/info on a LM } Date: 5/18/01 7:33:30 PM US Mountain Standard Time } From: colonel-at-natca.net } To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } } } } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by } (colonel-at-natca.net) from } http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Friday, May } 18, 2001 at 17:55:26 } --------------------------------------------------------------------------- } } Email: colonel-at-natca.net } Name: M. B. Ingersoll } } Organization: Schufeldt Academy } } Education: 6-8th Grade Middle School } } Location: Euless, TX, USA } } Question: We are a homeschooling family. I have been all over the } Internet trying to find information (and hopefully a manual) for a } recently purchased, refurbished microscope. } } The unit is a monocular, three objective (10x, 40x, 100x) self } illuminated model with mechanical staging and a variable condensor. } I am an Air Traffic Controller and not a microscopist so please } forgive me if I misuse any terminology. } } From the markings I believe the manufacturer was SPI or PSI (the } letters S-P-I are arranged in that order in a diamond shaped logo). } There are two more numbers under the logo; 1804 (a model number?) and } 23490 (preceded by "No." - presumably a serial number?). I was told } the unit is aproximately 30 years old. } } Lastly, there is a small paper label on the underside of the base } with the word "JAPAN" on it. } } Can you provide any information or point me to another source? } } Thank you! } } --------------------------------------------------------------------------- } }
{HTML} {FONT FACE=arial,helvetica} {FONT SIZE=2} SPI (and I forget what this stands for) is the company that you want. {BR} They may still be in business and you might check through the search {BR} engines for them one thing that I remember about SPI is that they also {BR} imported micrometers and other materials also related to the precision {BR} machine industry. {BR} {BR} We regret that we have none of this company's catalogs or info here in the {BR} archive, {BR} our collection of catalogs and inst. books is growing though, If something {BR} comes in {BR} we will be happy to let you know. However if you do obtain any documentation {BR} on this and wish to forward us a Xerox please feel free to send to: {BR} {BR} coury house / smecc {BR} 5902 w palmaire ave {BR} glendale az 85301 {BR} {BR} Good luck in the hunt! {BR} {BR} Ed Sharpe Archivist for SMECC {BR} {BR} {BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"} Subj: {B} Ask-A-Microscopist:Looking for a manual/info on a LM {/B} {BR} Date: 5/18/01 7:33:30 PM US Mountain Standard Time {BR} {I} From: colonel-at-natca.net {BR} To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com {BR} {/I} {BR} {BR} {BR} {BR} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ {BR} The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America {BR} To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com {BR} On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html {BR} -----------------------------------------------------------------------. {BR} {BR} {BR} Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by {BR} (colonel-at-natca.net) from {BR} http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Friday, May {BR} 18, 2001 at 17:55:26 {BR} --------------------------------------------------------------------------- {BR} {BR} Email: colonel-at-natca.net {BR} Name: M. B. Ingersoll {BR} {BR} Organization: Schufeldt Academy {BR} {BR} Education: 6-8th Grade Middle School {BR} {BR} Location: Euless, TX, USA {BR} {BR} Question: We are a homeschooling family. I have been all over the {BR} Internet trying to find information (and hopefully a manual) for a {BR} recently purchased, refurbished microscope. {BR} {BR} The unit is a monocular, three objective (10x, 40x, 100x) self {BR} illuminated model with mechanical staging and a variable condensor. {BR} I am an Air Traffic Controller and not a microscopist so please {BR} forgive me if I misuse any terminology. {BR} {BR} From the markings I believe the manufacturer was SPI or PSI (the {BR} letters S-P-I are arranged in that order in a diamond shaped logo). {BR} There are two more numbers under the logo; 1804 (a model number?) and {BR} 23490 (preceded by "No." - presumably a serial number?). I was told {BR} the unit is aproximately 30 years old. {BR} {BR} Lastly, there is a small paper label on the underside of the base {BR} with the word "JAPAN" on it. {BR} {BR} Can you provide any information or point me to another source? {BR} {BR} Thank you! {BR} {BR} --------------------------------------------------------------------------- {BR} {BR} {/BLOCKQUOTE} {BR} {BR} {BR} {/FONT} {/HTML}
Return-Path: {Microscopy-request-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} Received: from rly-xd02.mx.aol.com (rly-xd02.mail.aol.com [172.20.105.167]) by air-xd02.mail.aol.com (v77_r1.36) with ESMTP; Fri, 18 May 2001 22:33:30 -0400 Received: from sparc5.microscopy.com ([206.69.208.10]) by rly-xd02.mx.aol.com (v77_r1.36) with ESMTP; Fri, 18 May 2001 22:33:03 2000 Received: (from daemon-at-localhost) by sparc5.microscopy.com (8.9.3+Sun/8.9.3) id SAA14967 for dist-Microscopy; Fri, 18 May 2001 18:27:20 -0500 (CDT) Received: from no_more_spam.com (sparc5 [206.69.208.10]) by sparc5.microscopy.com (8.9.3+Sun/8.9.3) with SMTP id SAA14964 for "MicroscopyFilteredEmail1-at-msa.microscopy.com"; Fri, 18 May 2001 18:26:49 -0500 (CDT) Received: from [206.69.208.21] (mac21.zaluzec.com [206.69.208.21]) by sparc5.microscopy.com (8.9.3+Sun/8.9.3) with ESMTP id SAA14957 for {Microscopy-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com} ; Fri, 18 May 2001 18:26:38 -0500 (CDT) Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: zaluzec-at-ultra5.microscopy.com Message-Id: {p05001900b72b6000cf44-at-[206.69.208.21]}
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by (colonel-at-natca.net) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Friday, May 18, 2001 at 17:55:26 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: colonel-at-natca.net Name: M. B. Ingersoll
Organization: Schufeldt Academy
Education: 6-8th Grade Middle School
Location: Euless, TX, USA
Question: We are a homeschooling family. I have been all over the Internet trying to find information (and hopefully a manual) for a recently purchased, refurbished microscope.
The unit is a monocular, three objective (10x, 40x, 100x) self illuminated model with mechanical staging and a variable condensor. I am an Air Traffic Controller and not a microscopist so please forgive me if I misuse any terminology.
From the markings I believe the manufacturer was SPI or PSI (the letters S-P-I are arranged in that order in a diamond shaped logo). There are two more numbers under the logo; 1804 (a model number?) and 23490 (preceded by "No." - presumably a serial number?). I was told the unit is aproximately 30 years old.
Lastly, there is a small paper label on the underside of the base with the word "JAPAN" on it.
Can you provide any information or point me to another source?
You may have answered your own question. Opal makes a good SEM sample when fractured, acid etched and coated. A nicely packed lattice of very round spheres, I use one as simple test sample, along with a semiconductor die and NIST magnification and resolution standards. A small chunk can virtually last forever.
On Friday, May 18, 2001 7:57 AM, Robert H. Olley [SMTP:r.h.olley-at-reading.ac.uk] wrote: } } } Hello all Listers, } } Some time ago, someone in our chemistry department made a aqueous } suspension of silica microspheres, about half a micron in diameter. If } this was allowed to dry out, the spheres formed a close-packed lattice, } similar to that in opal which gives rise to the lovely diffraction } colours. When examining this lattice under the SEM, we found that this } made an ideal target for the AUTO aSTIGmatism control, so when examining } something bland such as a fine textured plastic surface, one could use a } clump of these spheres as a target and then have the optics just right } for examining the bland specimen. } } Alas, the suspension of spheres has degenerated into some sort of "goo", } and no more is available. Are there any other sources of spheres of } this size? The 1 to 8 micron space spheres are probably a little too } big, and I am a bit wary of what magnetite spheres might do in the } electric field of the SEM. } } +----------------------------------------------------------------+ } Robert H.Olley } J.J.Thomson Physical Laboratory } University of Reading } Whiteknights } Reading RG6 6AF } England } +----------------------------------------------------------------+ } Phone: } {direct line +44 (0) 118 9318572 } {University internal extension 7867 } Fax: +44 (0) 118 9750203 } Email: R.H.Olley-at-reading.ac.uk } URL: http://www.reading.ac.uk/~spsolley } +----------------------------------------------------------------+ } } }
Allen R. Sampson, Owner Advanced Research Systems 317 North 4th. Street St. Charles, Illinois 60174 voice 630.513.7093 fax 630.513.7092
Frank, I thing you are very lucky to normally find the beam so quickly. We have an E3 ESEM and on that beast it can take ages to find the beam after routine service. Regards JVN
Frank Thomas wrote: } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Listers - } } Those of you with LaB6 experience - is it possible for one to fail in such a } way that it still shows a "normal" emission current on all the gauges, yet } is not producing a findable beam? } Last Monday we stripped our ESEM down for a bi-annual cleaning, inspected } everything, including the LaB6 (which looked fine, and had been working well } up to that point), put the whole thing back together, and were unable to } find a beam. Now we've done this any number of times in the last 8 years, } and it's never more than a few minutes to find the beam afterwards. Turn the } condensor down low, select a 3mm "hole" instead of a projection aperture, } and bingo, there it is - a big, shiny, beam like a floodlight. } This time, nothing. Not a glimmer of "light" on the monitor, even though the } LaB6 is "on", with 15KeV, and a "normal" emission current. We've had the } column back apart 4 times now, to see if there's some physical blockage } somewhere which might prevent the beam from reaching the chamber, but } everything looks great. Even checked the performance of the chamber } isolation valve, in case it was failing to open, but it's working properly. } So I'm left with thinking maybe it's the LaB6, but in the past when we had } one fail, it either suddenly began producing a strange, assymetrical beam, } with normal emission current readings, or no beam at all, with no emission } current showing. What gives? We have a new LaB6 on order, as a spare, so } when it arrives I'll put it in, unless somebody has any other ideas.... } } Frank Thomas } MicroAnalysis Facility } Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic) } Bedford Institute of Oceanography } Dartmouth, Nova Scotia } Canada
-- John Nailon Operations Manager The Centre for Microscopy and Microanlaysis The University of Queensland St Lucia QLD 4072 Tel: +61-7-33654214 Fax: +61-7-33654422 WWW: http://www.uq.edu.au/nanoworld
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by (hines-ta-at-actx.edu) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Sunday, May 20, 2001 at 16:03:16 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: hines-ta-at-actx.edu Name: Tracey Hines
Organization: Amarillo College
Education: Undergraduate College
Location: Amarillo, Texas
Question: I am having a difficult time finding any biographical information on George Nomarski. Do you know of any web sites or books that will be useful in finding information like birthdate, etc.?
Someone gave me a recept to make a sample with Tin balls. You need a polished aluminium sample, a old vaccum coater with a unregulated low voltage/ high current supply (one with a big variac and a 4V-12V/1000A transformer). You put some tin (Sn) in a Mo or W boat, (and of course your sample in the oposite) and you heat it under vacuum very quickly. It makes an "explosion" coating, and you will find tin balls, with a great dispersion in size on your aluminium sample (a few 100 nm to a few microns). It is a good test for backskatered detector and for SE resolution. With some practice, you schould be able to control the size, size distribution and density of tin balls.
I didn't try this receipt (not enouhgt time to try all what I want ! ), but according to my experience in thin film technology, it seems to be credible.
I saw also something like that to sell in a microscopy supplies catalogue, but I don't remember where, I think it was someone in Germany.
By
J. Faerber IPCMS-GSI (Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg Groupe Surface et Interfaces) 23, rue de Loess 67037 Strasbourg CEDEX France
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } } Hello Listers, } } I was wondering if anyone out there can help me out. I am looking } } for a solution of uniform particles (spheres would be nice) of a heavy } } material so that it will show up nicely in backscatter. I also require } that } } the particle size be between 2 and 5 micron. If anyone knows of something } } like this and where I can order it from, It would help me out. } } Thanks in advance } } Nick } }
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by (meehall-at-mac.com) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Sunday, May 20, 2001 at 23:49:07 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: meehall-at-mac.com Name: michael n maloney
Organization: san francisco police dept
Education: Graduate College
Location: san francisco
Question: i'm looking for the most appropriate microscope for fine art photographs of diatom and radiolarian sized objects. i understand that a true darkfield illumination source is preferable. a support for a heavy camera is also required. I use 35 mm (Nikon F5) and a 4x5 camera. please give me some thoughts on this
I use both Windows 2000 and Linux and like them both but they are as different as night-and-day. When all is said and done, both can be reliable, workhorse servers.
Here are a couple of issues you might consider: Administration - Windows 2000 Server is not easy to manage but it is substancially easier than Linux. Most Linux servers are set up by long-time Unix gurus. To them the obscure commands and syntax are second nature and they understand the sublties of network administration. If this doesn't describe you then it is probable that the lack of handholding in the Linux world will make configuring your server an adventure. Some of the standard Linux installs (Red Hat for example) make setting up a server easier but at the expense of leave gapping security holes. Clients - Are your client computers running Unix, Windows or ? While Linux can interoperate with Windows, it is easier to configure a Linux system to work with other Linux/Unix systems. Similarly, Win2k is easy to configure to work with Windows and a little harder to configure to work with Unix/Linux.
In summary, either one can work. Linux requires more knowledge and experience but the price is right.
************************************************************* Postdoctoral Position in Transmission Electron Microscopy - Rice University
Rice University, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, located in Houston, TX, is seeking candidates for a postdoctoral position in transmission electron microscopy of multicomponent oxide thin films. Applicants should have extensive and demonstrated experience in several areas of TEM and a strong background and interest in materials problem solving. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in several TEM techniques. Facilities at Rice include a JEOL 2010, field-emission SEM and high-resolution X-ray diffractometers, as well as state-of-the-art sample preparation. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with the University of Houston using a state-of-the-art field-emission TEM (JEOL 2010F), with annular dark-field detector, Oxford link EDS, Gatan GIF and STEM capabilities. The position is available immediately. Duration about 1-2 years, salary is commensurate with qualifications. Candidates with a Ph.D. in Materials Science or Physics will be given preferred consideration. Interested candidates should send a curriculum vitae, publication list and the names of at least three references with their contact addresses to:
Prof. Susanne Stemmer Rice University Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science MS 321 6100 Main Street Houston, TX 77005-1892 stemmer-at-rice.edu *************************************************************
We microscopists have focused tools with narrow fields of view. Toxicity is a very broad problem which our tool can see only a small portion.
My reply was not meant to reflect on my views of animal research but was an example of the problem of satisfying two very different portions of the technophobic community around us. As such it was very oversimplified.
I agree that animal research is not a good topic for this forum.
Jon: Let's try to get back to a reasonable answer here. Like you, I think that getting into it yourself can be problematic. So, for labs that do the work: McCrone and RJLee are the two I am most familiar with. I would guess there are others, and have no interest in the two mentioned, nor do I have anything against any lab. Labs like this are easily searchable on the internet, and I think you could also find them under one of the microscopy web resources (sorry-having a total medicare moment on names and such). Roger Moretz, Ph.D. Dept of Toxicology Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals On Thu, 17 May 2001 15:26:34 -0700, Jon Krupp wrote:
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America | To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com | On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html | -----------------------------------------------------------------------. | | | Hi: | | This is a weird question, it could only happen in Santa Cruz. | | One of our EH&S people stopped by today to ask if we could analyze some | dust from one of the science buildings on campus. I said 'Maybe' and | listened to the rest of the story. | | He told me that a new custodial employee was afraid that the dust in one of | the science buildings was full of toxic material and wanted it tested. The | building is a 30 year old structure that has had various sorts of biology | and chemistry teaching and research labs. As far as I know there has never | been any sort of problem there and EH&S keeps track of things like | radiation and highly toxic situations. | | I was reluctant to get involved. Our EDS could probably see some things and | I could recognize some mold spores and cotton fibers, but who am I? I don't | have any training or certification in toxic dust analysis. Plus I probably | already think this guy is a little paranoid about dust, so I probably | wouldn't find anything even if it was there. | | Are there labs that can do this sort of analysis and can certify that there | is nothing toxic to worry about in a sample of dust? How does one sample | for these things and how do we respond to this kind of request. What are | the odds that the dust is anything more than just dust? What is dust | anyway? | | I promised our EH&S guy that I would ask around among the smartest group of | folks I know. So what do you think? | | | Jonathan Krupp | Microscopy & Imaging Lab | University of California | Santa Cruz, CA 95064 | (831) 459-2477 | jmkrupp-at-cats.ucsc.edu | | |
Roger Moretz, Ph.D. Dept of Toxicology Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 900 Rigdebury Road Ridgefield, CT 06877 203-798-5448
_______________________________________________________ Send a cool gift with your E-Card http://www.bluemountain.com/giftcenter/
Prof Barajon: Just a minor addition to the other comments (I have used variations of all of them). While not familiar with the referenced paper, I would add that you can (perhaps should) reduce your fixation times. I use 45 to 60 min in the aldehyde and 30 to 45 min in osmium. I can't remember the references, but there is an older reference to using methylene blue for en bloc staining of the epoxy-embedded cells. This really enhances the ability to locate areas of interest after embedding. (I believe the paper was in Stain Technology, probably in the 70's). This must be a senior moment day--I can't remember details on anything.
Roger Moretz, Ph.D. Dept of Toxicology Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals On Thu, 17 May 2001 10:44:03 +0200, Prof. Barajon wrote:
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America | To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com | On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html | -----------------------------------------------------------------------. | | | Subject: TEM- cell colture fixation and embedding | | I need to study the ultrastructural aspects of a cell line grown on petri | dishes. Any suggestion for the best fixation and embedding protocol (no | pellets, just fixation and embedding in the dish itself) ? | | thanks | |
Roger Moretz, Ph.D. Dept of Toxicology Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 900 Rigdebury Road Ridgefield, CT 06877 203-798-5448
_______________________________________________________ Send a cool gift with your E-Card http://www.bluemountain.com/giftcenter/
I'm looking for a suggestion for appropriate film support grids for making EELS and EDS measurements of 1 to 10 nm particles. I would use plain carbon, except that the particles will be a mixture of carbide, oxide, metal and silicate phases. I need to measure the C, O, N, Si, Mg and Fe content of the particles, so C, SiO2 or Si3N4 support films all would make my life difficult.
Has anyone made Be film grids? Any other suggestions?
Thank in advance.
Rhonda Stroud
Research Physicist Naval Research Laboratory 4555 Overlook. Ave SW Washington, DC 20375
I'm looking for a second-hand 2000FX double tile holder, or the compatible 2-tile JEOL100 holder. Anybody having the information on this please let know. Thanks much!
Chaoying Ni EM Lab Materials Sci and Eng University of Delaware
I would agree that familiarity with the operating environment is important for timely performance of server administration tasks-documentation and advocacy groups exist for both platforms, however. It might be worth while to become familiar with a UNIX like operating system (such as Linux) if one has the luxury of time (I'll explain momentarily). Cost may be an issue-Linux is free. Both OSes run on the x86 architecture. It seems that your choice(s) of application software should be a heavywieght factor in your decision. At the risk of over-simplification I'll just say that most proprietary "out of the box" solutions are developed for Windows/NT. There is a huge installed base of Wintel machines, and there are powerful software development tools for this platform which allow software developers to develop large complicated programs very rapidly. Linux has the advantage that many programs written to run under the various flavors of UNIX will compile and run. Many cutting edge scientific applications, including image processing utilities, are developed by researchers who are experienced coders and prefer to work under the UNIX platform. The reason for this is partially historical-in the past only large UNIX mainframe servers had the horsepower for image manipulation. More often than not these software tools are available free of charge to fellow researchers and are provided as open-source (one can view and modify the original code to suit specialized situations). So it really boils down to an ease of use vs. scalability/extensibility issue with cost, and perhaps minor hardware decisions (sometimes peripherals are difficult to configure under Linux ie. video cards, scanners etc...). In the long run, however, time spent now learning to work with Linux may pay off: the heart of the OS (the kernel) evolves continually in response to the needs of users, and the kernel can be upgraded without disrupting other parameters of the OS. Also, Linux runs on most (if not by now all)commonly encountered chip architectures so one may have several different kinds of machine (PC, Mac, SUN) all running the same operating system.
Karl Garsha www.uwm.edu/~keg ----- Original Message ----- } From: "Chao-Ying Ni" {cni-at-udel.edu} To: {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} Sent: Friday, May 18, 2001 9:36 AM
Hi folks, We have an ancient ISI (Akashi) Mini-SEM which is need of a service/overhaul. Could anyone recommend service companies that would be able to deal with such an old instrument? Companies located in the southwest would be preferable. Thank you for your time, Nick Bulloss
****************************************** Nick Bulloss Analytical Facilities Technician Department of Geological Sciences University of Texas at El Paso 500 West University Ave El Paso, TX 79968-0555 Office: (915) 747-5440 Lab: (915) 747-5184 Fax: (915) 747-5073
Jon, Your question raises questions whose import we should all understand. Getting involved, as Dr. Moretz said is 'problematic', but my response is much stronger. Getting involved is potentially hazardous to your health! You have answered your big question. "Who am I?" And you mean, not merely how much of what is required can "I" accomplish? You are correct to hesitate. The implications of involvement in such an institutional question are NOT trivial. First of all, as an institutional employee, you will have NO legal credibility except where you assert a positive finding of institutional fault, and the institution, would then be obligated to find an external source to either defend or deny your assertion. The only way by which this morass can be avoided is if an institutional policy directs you to perform such internal testing in order to determine 'an indication'. Second, there is NO good ground for you in such a question, and the person who requested some help was ill-advised and, worse, ill-prepared, for this personnel problem. The question raised by the 'concerned' employee was a "black hole". His/her supervisor should have immediately sent her/him to the appropriate Human Resource representative. The employee's concern was instant grounds for transfer, and immediate grounds for the institution to guard itself from her/his problem. Human resources should have a record of personnel performance in the workplace in question. If there has been an attendance problem due to illness among individuals working in the building or in spaces within the building, Human Resources should probably initiate an investigation or an upward 'chain of concern' if there is no clear policy that they can follow. You have raised the question of our own awareness and understanding of the difference between good science and good evidence as viewed by different interests within our society. We, who have been trained through graduate school for the jobs we have performed PRESUMABLY understand the inherent hazards of our jobs. Oil vacuum systems in cool but poorly ventilated rooms. Photographic darkrooms with inadequate ventilation. Formaldehyde, formalin, paraformaldehyde, paraldehyde, all peroxides and peroxide formers, X-Rays, 32P, Xylene, Propylene Oxide, MeOH, dissolving osmium tetroxide crystals, Toluene, human tissues and fluids, Latex, Hepatitis B, etc. Most of us as microscopist have taken 'the list' with the job, and very few of us have been crippled by the hazards. Yet; hazards there are. Those otherwise capable individuals who have been selected out of our zone in the sciences have probably gone early rather than late. There are rumors about contact dermatitis from photographic chemicals, but few of us know anyone who has suffered that outcome. The dangers of our work become suppressed in us. I remember hearing a muffled 'whump' when I was a graduate student, then looking out of a nearby window and seeing a refrigerator door lying on the grass three stories down from a blown-out window in the chemistry building. Later that day, we were asked to search all refrigerators for explosives, because a 'fridge' containing a can of ethyl ether had exploded (no injuries). Six cans from our floor subsequently appeared in the lone chemical fume hood, and I have never forgotten my silent concern when I removed mine. "How will I keep it from evaporating now?" Thirty-five years ago, the label on a can of ethyl ether warned against storing it in a refrigerator that was NOT explosion proof. We worked in a five story building, and there was not one such refrigerator among the thirty or so that I could count. I need not ask how many are to be found today. More, but not enough - "they are VERY expensive!" Is there one in every lab that uses ethanol at less than 4 degrees? There ought to be a continuing thread on this server about hazard and safety concerns. My self-doubt raised concerns identical to yours twenty years ago, and only a well-developed sense of self-preservation caused me to respond to an 'institutional' request for help with a very long list of reasons why I was obligated to refuse. In the process I lost favor. My first, but not only, run in with administration about job description and available resources. If my colleagues wonder why I have been so long-winded, it may be that you could use some long-winded support in your refusal to become involved in an issue for which you apparently were not hired and for which you have not been provided adequate authority to address.
Good luck Jon, your concern is not 'weird', and IT has happened a lot!
Frederick C. Monson, PhD West Chester University of Pennsylvania Center for Advanced Scientific Imaging (CASI) Schmucker II Science Center (Room: SS024(Basement)) South Church Street West Chester, PA, 19383 MailDrop: Department of Geology/Astronomy Phone: 610-738-0437 Fax: 610-436-3036 email: fmonson-at-wcupa.edu Please call before visiting.
Hi all! I have a couple of steel wires which I want to watch in TEM. The problem is, that these wires are very fine...less than 100 microns. I want to know if anyone has any ideas about how to prepare the samples for TEM. Regards Praveena Center for advanced materials University of Massachusetts, Lowell Lowell, MA PH:978-934-3411 _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.
We are having a problem with rippling when cutting 60 micron hydrogel sections. Does anyone know a way to eliminate this rippling?
Thanks, Kim
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kimberly A. Riddle Florida State University tel: 850.644.6519 Biological Science Imaging Resource 119 Bio Unit I, 4370 fax: 850.644.0481 Tallahassee, FL 32306 riddle-at-bio.fsu.edu http://bio.fsu.edu/~taylor/imaging ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Help please, I'm in the market for a laser capture microdissector and would like your comments, recommendations, experiences, pro & cons, etc. of the Arcturus Pixcell II vrs. Leica's apparatus. We have seen them both, but need unbiased input from current users.
Thanks, Brett
Brett M. Connolly, Ph.D. Merck Research Laboratories Dept. of Pharmacology WP26A-3000 PO Box 4 West Point, PA 19486 ph. 215-652-2501 fax. 215-652-2075 email. brett_connolly-at-merck.com
Ladd Research has been doing tungsten filaments for many years, but we do not do the AMRAY FE filaments. We agree that it "is more than meets the eye" with these and in this case it it is probably better to go direct to the instrument manufacturer.
John Arnott --
LADD RESEARCH 131 Dorset Lane Williston, VT 05495 USA
web site http://www.laddresearch.com
TEL 1-800-451-3406 (US) or 1-802-878-6711 (anywhere) FAX 1-802-878-8074 e-mail sales-at-laddresearch.com
Quality Since 1955
Earl Weltmer wrote: }
} Dear Listers, } } Has anyone sucessfully done an Amray FE filament replacement for the newer } "305" guns? } } I think there is more to it than meets the eye. } } Thank You, } } Earl
Rhonda: Boy, does this bring back some really ancient memories (clear back to the late 60's!). Be films can be made the same way as C, and we evaporated Be onto glass slides in a standard evaporator (back then it was an old Kinney--but any regular evaporator will work). The *major* problem is Be toxicity, and in the vapor or dust form, Be is extremely toxic. We set up a "bell jar -in a- bell jar" system. We used a large heavy-glass beaker (probably a 2L Kimax heavy wall beaker) over the electrodes to reduce contamination of the entire unit. It is also wise to set up at least one trap in the forepump line as well as use LN2 on the diff pump. There may be some old literature out there on more specifics, but I don't know where. You may also find that some of the EM suppliers (e.g. SPI, EM Sciences, Pella, Fullam, Ladd, Tousimis, Polysciences)(sorry if I missed anyone) can supply you with the appropriate substrates. That's surely easier, altho' maybe not cheaper.
Roger
On Mon, 21 May 2001 18:07:40 -0400, Rhonda Stroud wrote:
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America | To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com | On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html | -----------------------------------------------------------------------. | | | Hello all. | | I'm looking for a suggestion for appropriate film support grids for making | EELS and EDS measurements of 1 to 10 nm particles. I would use plain | carbon, except that the particles will be a mixture of carbide, oxide, | metal and silicate phases. I need to measure the C, O, N, Si, Mg and Fe | content of the particles, so C, SiO2 or Si3N4 support films all would make my | life difficult. | | Has anyone made Be film grids? Any other suggestions? | | Thank in advance. | | Rhonda Stroud | | Research Physicist | Naval Research Laboratory | 4555 Overlook. Ave SW | Washington, DC 20375 |
Roger Moretz, Ph.D. Dept of Toxicology Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 900 Rigdebury Road Ridgefield, CT 06877 203-798-5448
_______________________________________________________ Send a cool gift with your E-Card http://www.bluemountain.com/giftcenter/
I am approaching a similar need and have been looking into Boron support films. It has been done in the past although I do not have the reference handy. We hope to try making some in the next few months.
I too am interested in other options as I am interested in both Carbon, Silicon, and Boron containing samples. The Boron films will only trade conflicts and not remove the issue.
Richard Vanfleet
At 06:07 PM 5/21/01 -0400, Rhonda Stroud wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Thanks to all who replied to my query on support grids.
The solution that seems best suited to my particular problem is amorphous Ge film. I'm now deciding whether to deposit the film myself, or whether to buy it.
For the curious Ge is the best because:
(1) No EDS or EELS interference with elements of interest (2) It's possible to make thin amorphous Ge films, so the background contrast will not be problem for high imaging (as apposed to Be and Al) (3) I can't use holey films because the samples will actually be collected directly on the grids during a rocket flight. Simultaneous collection on C and SiO is possible, but would make it difficult to get all info on each particle.
Rhonda Stroud
Research Physicist Naval Research Laboratory Washington, DC 20375
OK list, once again I come looking for some help. We are looking at some dirt (OK, soil) samples and I am looking for the easiest way to measure the grains(?) and the spaces between them..... Being cell and not dirt orientated I could use some help from the material sciences people. Is there a cheap or freeware program that will do this for me or do I have to basterdize my bio-imaging software (BioQuant TCW) to do this??
As usual I'm looking for the least labor intensive method. -- best regards, Bob Robert Schoonhoven Laboratory of Molecular Carcinogenesis and Mutagenesis Dept. of Environmental Sciences and Engineering University of North Carolina CB#7400 Chapel Hill, NC 27599 Phone office 919-966-6343 Lab 919-966-6140 Fax 919-966-6123
Don't go around saying the world owes you a living; the world owes you nothing; it was here first. Mark Twain [Samuel Langhornne Clemens] (1835-1910)
You can use Field Ion Microscopy sample prep techniques to prepare very sharp needles of the wires. Basically, you can dip them in a beaker and electropolish them. The liquid/air interface will preferentially polish them. You need to move the interface up and down the sample by moving either the sample or liquid. If the wires are long enough, you can float electrolyte on top of CCl4 layer and you can get two samples when the bottom part drops off. Look up some of the standard electropolishing solutions and conditions. One is based on percholoric/butylcelsolve and the other on chromic acid/acetic acid -I think.
-Scott
Scott D. Walck, Ph.D. PPG Industries, Inc. Glass Technology Center P. O. Box 11472 (letters) Guys Run Rd. (packages) Pittsburgh, PA 15238-0472
Walck-at-PPG.com
(412) 820-8651 (office) (412) 820-8515 (fax)
-----Original Message----- } From: Praveena Bhaskara [mailto:bubbyp-at-hotmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2001 10:36 AM To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
Hi all! I have a couple of steel wires which I want to watch in TEM. The problem is, that these wires are very fine...less than 100 microns. I want to know if anyone has any ideas about how to prepare the samples for TEM. Regards Praveena Center for advanced materials University of Massachusetts, Lowell Lowell, MA PH:978-934-3411 _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.
} You could call around to the small colleges in your area - as well as used } microscope vendors - for a late 1960's through mid 80's upright, retired, } transmitted fluorescence microscope from Leitz, Zeiss or B&L and Nikon. } If you are lucky, you will find one that still has its substage dark field } condenser in the nearby desk drawer. } } You could also consult geology and chemistry departments looking for a } microscope that has Leitz or Zeiss Ultropak objectives. These objectives } were/are used in epi-illuminated systems and were equipped with internal } conical mirrors that created a 'dark' field illumination. In combination } with transmitted light, such objectives were recommended for photography } of autoradiograms. } } Hope this helps. } Frederick C. Monson, PhD West Chester University of Pennsylvania Center for Advanced Scientific Imaging (CASI) Schmucker II Science Center (Room: SS024(Basement)) South Church Street West Chester, PA, 19383 MailDrop: Department of Geology/Astronomy Phone: 610-738-0437 Fax: 610-436-3036 email: fmonson-at-wcupa.edu Please call before visiting.
} ---------- } From: meehall-at-mac.com } Sent: Monday, May 21, 2001 9:20 AM } To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } Subject: Ask-A-Microscopist: Which Microscope for photographs of } diatom and radiolarians } } } } Email: meehall-at-mac.com } Name: michael n maloney } } Organization: san francisco police dept } } Education: Graduate College } } Location: san francisco } } Question: i'm looking for the most appropriate microscope for fine } art photographs of diatom and radiolarian sized objects. i understand } that a true darkfield illumination source is preferable. a support } for a heavy camera is also required. I use 35 mm (Nikon F5) and a 4x5 } camera. please give me some thoughts on this } } -------------------------------------------------------------------------- } - } }
Vollenweider, H.J., Al-Be films, J. Microscopy, 16: 247(1973) from } Principles and Techniques of E M, Hayat, 3d Ed., CRC Press, 1989. }
Frederick C. Monson, PhD West Chester University of Pennsylvania Center for Advanced Scientific Imaging (CASI) Schmucker II Science Center (Room: SS024(Basement)) South Church Street West Chester, PA, 19383 MailDrop: Department of Geology/Astronomy Phone: 610-738-0437 Fax: 610-436-3036 email: fmonson-at-wcupa.edu Please call before visiting.
} ---------- } From: Rhonda Stroud } Sent: Monday, May 21, 2001 6:07 PM } To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } Subject: TEM: Be film grids? } } } Hello all. } } I'm looking for a suggestion for appropriate film support grids for making } EELS and EDS measurements of 1 to 10 nm particles. I would use plain } carbon, except that the particles will be a mixture of carbide, oxide, } metal and silicate phases. I need to measure the C, O, N, Si, Mg and Fe } content of the particles, so C, SiO2 or Si3N4 support films all would make } my } life difficult. } } Has anyone made Be film grids? Any other suggestions? } } Thank in advance. } } Rhonda Stroud } } Research Physicist } Naval Research Laboratory } 4555 Overlook. Ave SW } Washington, DC 20375 } }
I do staining of TEM thin sections of microporous polymer systems, rubber compounds and polymer based automotive coatings.
I use RuO4 mostly for staining and would like to switch to OsO4 occasionally. I use a very safe procedure in which I generate very small amounts of RuO4 vapors in a petri dish in situ. This limits problems with amounts handled, safety and minimizes disposal.
In the literature I see articles and also web sites that talk about using hot fuming nitric acid (impractical for me to keep heated), hot nitric acid (ditto) and hydrogen peroxide on "Osmium Compounds" or metal. Suggestions are made at some sites that osmium dioxide is used. OsO2 does not seem to be sold at any chemical supply houses nor is it in any EM supplier catalogs I have.
I DO NOT want to use ampoules of OsO4 or RuO4 and have them stored around the lab in sealed vials. I had an unscored ampoule of RuO4 spontaneously break once and it was not pleasant for my refrig' or me.
Question(s): Have you ever experimented with or know of any osmium compound(s) used to in situ generate osmium tetroxide vapors from one of these compounds? Is the procedure safe and does it generate small amounts of waste? What do you use as a staining indicator? Butadiene rubber or a solution of it, works for me with OsO4.
My aim here is not to find a 'cheap' way to make OsO4. Os costs a lot of money no matter what you buy or where.
Thank you for any help you can give or ideas.
Paul Beauregard PPG Industries Senior Research Associate Monroeville, PA 15146
Hi, I'm having a problem with the Coolwell Chiller (SE - Style) for my TEM. Everything is fine for a few hours then the temperature goes way up. The guys working on it checked the refrigerant level and the gauge keep fluctuating between 20 and 60. They wanted me to find out if that is normal. Any help? Thanks, Beth
************************************** Beth Richardson EM Lab Coordinator Botany Department University of Georgia Athens, GA 30602
Hi Beth, I have 3 of these SE units and know nothing about the refrigerant but have replace 2 temperature controllers because of intermittent climbing temperature. Is the red 'heat' indicator on when it overheats (make sure the bulb is good first)? When the temperature goes up try adjusting the controller down with a screwdriver. If cooling begins (blue indicator comes on) most likely the switch needs replacing and the compressor is ok. I tried cleaning the contacts but that didn't last. If the blue 'cool' light comes on but the unit's still overheating you may have a refrigeration problem.
Coolwell is out of business so to give credit where it is due here is a letter I received last year when I was looking for parts. ............................................ } We replaced the original thermostat on our Coolwell SE unit with an "ETC } Single Stage Electronic Temperature Controller" and a "1309007-044 ETC } Temperature Sensor" from Ranco (8115 U.S. 42 N., Plain City, Ohio, 43064). } The unit bolts right to the front of the Coolwell chiller and works just } fine. It works over a tempertature range of -30F to +220F and a } differential of 1F to 30F. I seem to recall that the whole shebang was } less than $100 and our campus refrigerator guy installed it with no } problems. I can fax the spec sheets to anyone who is interested. I } believe I got the idea from Maggy Piranian through this list.
} Bob } Dr. Robert R. Wise } Associate Professor of Plant Physiology } Department of Biology } University of Wisconsin Oshkosh ............................................. Regards, Jim
} X-Comment: UCONNVM.UConn.Edu: Mail was sent by sparc5.microscopy.com } Mime-Version: 1.0 } Date: Tue, 22 May 2001 16:44:12 -0500 } To: microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } From: beth-at-dogwood.botany.uga.edu (Beth Richardson) } Subject: coolwell chillers } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
James S. Romanow The University of Connecticut Physiology and Neurobiology Department Electron Microscopy Facility Unit-2131 Storrs, CT 06269-2131 bsgphy3-at-uconnvm.uconn.edu 860 486-2914 voice 860 486-1936 fax
Could you provide more information about what exactly you want to do? It might help people to suggest preparation techniques. do you need cross sections, look along the wires, perhaps the separation between wires?
You probably have to embed the samples in epoxy. Perhaps you can use a microtome to slice them?
Or take a whole bunch of them, embed them and then ion mill?
mike
Michael Bode, Ph.D. Soft Imaging System Corp. 1675 Carr St., #105N Lakewood, CO 80215 =================================== phone: (888) FIND SIS (303) 234-9270 fax: (303) 234-9271 email: mailto:info-at-soft-imaging.com web: http://www.soft-imaging.com ===================================
-----Original Message----- } From: Praveena Bhaskara [mailto:bubbyp-at-hotmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2001 8:36 AM To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
Hi all! I have a couple of steel wires which I want to watch in TEM. The problem is,
that these wires are very fine...less than 100 microns. I want to know if anyone has any ideas about how to prepare the samples for TEM. Regards Praveena Center for advanced materials University of Massachusetts, Lowell Lowell, MA PH:978-934-3411 _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.
Can anyone point me to a source for such an objective for an old AO Microstar Series 110 microscope? I tried eBay once, but the objective didn't match the microscope requirements. Thanks.
Thanks to all who responded to my query. We had already done most of the things that were recommended. Here's an update and the apparent resolution:
According to her ophthalmologist, "Nancy's uncorrected vision has a focal point of around 6 inches. Therefore, the reticle is perfectly in focus when viewing the acellular field in the left eye, while the right does not have an image to focus on." She suggested that Nancy use corrected vision when using the microscope (e.g., contacts, implants, eyeglasses). In the mean time, I have installed a modified screening reticle that retains the outlined clear square area, but no longer includes the central circle and crossed line size comparators.
Nancy reports that the "blurring" she previously experienced has now largely gone away. In addition, she tried wearing her eyeglasses and found that the problem has disappeared entirely. She's loathe to wear her eyeglasses during microscopy, however, as they cost $400 and she doesn't want to scratch the lenses -- ocular eye guards notwithstanding.
The scientific programme for the Annual General Meeting of the Microscopical Society of Canada (June 6-8, 2001, Fredericton, NB) is established and is available at the website {http://www.unb.ca/msc2001} . Please, check the programme for a list of the topics to be presented and also note that all of the major microscopy vendors will be present to demonstrate the latest developments in confocal, light and electron microscopes. This will be the last update to the conference website.
Hello Listers, I would like to thank all of you who replied with help on finding the microspheres. I would have individually emailed those who responded, but due to a network hiccup, I lost all my email. I was fortunate enough to have hard copies of where to find some things, but no email of who to thank for the information. Have a good day, Nick
the same obj for a 60 or a 50 will also work. they are all the ao infinity series
ed sharpe archvisit for smecc
} Subj: Source of used 4X objective } Date: 5/22/01 11:41:30 PM US Mountain Standard Time } From: garygill-at-dcla.com (Gary Gill) } To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } } } } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Can anyone point me to a source for such an objective for an old AO } Microstar Series 110 microscope? I tried eBay once, but the objective } didn't match the microscope requirements. Thanks. } }
{HTML} {FONT FACE=arial,helvetica} {FONT SIZE=2} the same obj for a 60 or a 50 will also work. they are all the ao infinity {BR} series {BR} {BR} ed sharpe archvisit for smecc {BR} {BR} {BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"} Subj: {B} Source of used 4X objective {/B} {BR} Date: 5/22/01 11:41:30 PM US Mountain Standard Time {BR} {I} From: garygill-at-dcla.com (Gary Gill) {BR} To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com {BR} {/I} {BR} {BR} {BR} {BR} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ {BR} The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America {BR} To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com {BR} On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html {BR} -----------------------------------------------------------------------. {BR} {BR} {BR} Can anyone point me to a source for such an objective for an old AO {BR} Microstar Series 110 microscope? I tried eBay once, but the objective {BR} didn't match the microscope requirements. Thanks. {BR} {BR} Gary Gill {/BLOCKQUOTE} {BR} {BR} {/FONT} {/HTML}
I may need to replace my Argon tank on my sputter coater soon. What is the minimum purity of argon that you would recommend for use in an old Emscope SC500A sputter coater?
Thanks in Advance
Rick
Richard Portman Dep't. Biological Science University of Tulsa 600 S. College Tulsa OK 74104
I have a Philips 301 microscope that needs a new home. It is in good running condition. There are a lot of spare parts and consumables to go along with the microscope. The mercury pump has been removed. The microscope is presently up and running but will soon need to be dismantled to free up the room for another microscope. If interested please email me directly. Dismantling and shipping will be at the new owner's expense.
Debbie Lietz Electron Microscopy Technologist Biology Department, Trent University 1600 Westbank Drive Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8
I found this on the NET, and I hope Dr. Kiernan doesn't mind.
Re: "Disposal" of Osmium Tetroxide "Waste"
I am seeking assistance in finding a method to stain cadmium in paraffin embedd tissue. If such a method exists, I would very much appreciate your help.
Thank you in advance,
Diana Papoulias Fisheries Biologist, Research US Geological Survey Columbia Environmental Research Center 4200 New Haven Rd. Columbia, Missouri 65201
I use cheap, industrial grade Argon which is run through a Millipore molecular sieve. The sieve lasts for years. The cylinder of Ar costs about $20 and also lasts for years. The sieve assembly cost about $300. Virtually a one time expense.
I do the same for N2. I use industrial grade N2 ($20 per cylinder rather than 9.8 N2 ($90 per cylinder). After two years, the N2 sieve is unchanged.
gary g.
At 11:11 AM 5/23/2001, you wrote:
} Hi, } } I may need to replace my Argon tank on my sputter coater } soon. What is } the minimum purity of argon that you would recommend for use in an old } Emscope SC500A sputter coater? } } Thanks in Advance } } Rick } } } } } Richard Portman } Dep't. Biological Science } University of Tulsa } 600 S. College } Tulsa OK 74104 } } (918)631-3715
I am a photo editor and photo researcher for most texts in biology, zoology, botany, microbiology, genetics, anatomy & physiology, etc., published and I'm always searching for new sources of images to make texts more interesting, attractive, and educational. Dr. John D. Cunningham, VU Research, Inc., 46 The Flume, Amherst, NH 03031 Fax: 603-673-4738 email: john-at-visualsunlimited.com
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by (ikewlee-at-yahoo.com) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Thursday, May 24, 2001 at 10:17:30 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: ikewlee-at-yahoo.com Name: Ike W. Lee
Organization: Anterogen
Education: Graduate College
Location: Roxbury, MA, USA
Question: Hi! I am using DAPI (Ex 364nm; Em 454nm) to trace cells during cell transplantation in animals. Two months after the transplantation when I examined the DAPI positive tissue under a light microscope, it was fluorescent not only with the DAPI filter (Ex 340-380nm; Em 420nm), but also with the two other filters (Ex 465-495, Em515-555 and, Ex 525-555, Em 590-650). Before transplantation, the cells were fluorescent with the DAPI filter only when it was checked in a tissue flask (plastic). The tissue samples were simply frozen cut without fixation. Narrow-spentrum filters of a confocal microscope were not different; in other words, DAPI positive cells were fluorescent in all confocal filters tested. My questions are: (1). Is it possible that DAPI can change its wavelength in vivo after two months? (2). Is there a way to do immunohistochemistry on these weird DAPI-positive tissue sections? (3). Are there any other methods with which I can trace cells during the two months of post-transplantation period?
Thank you.
Ike Lee Anterogen ikewlee-at-yahoo.com (617) 442-7840, ext 246
Hi, we have a problem with switching on the unit. If you turn the key, it will start, but when you release the key, it stops immediately. The Forepump does not start, we have enough air & water. All fuses check OK. Any ideas? Thank you! Peter Stolzenberg
} From memory if the instrument switches off when you release the key then the rotary pump is not running properly. You say the rotary pump does not start - do you mean that it does not start at all? If not then that is your problem - do you have power to it when the key is operated? If not then check the circuits for fuses and breakers. If so then you have a faulty motor. If the motor runs but switches off with the key - is the pump up to speed (belt slipping)? If not then there is usually a pump rotation sensor which will detect a pump fault. Has the rotation detector been knocked? Try moving it closer to the flywheel.
I don't know where you are (no affliation attached) but our local JEOL people are very good at offering advice.
Good luck, Ron
On Thu, 24 May 2001 20:59:13 EDT "Katjaalex-at-aol.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Hi, we have a problem with switching on the unit. If you turn the key, it } will start, but when you release the key, it stops immediately. The Forepump } does not start, we have enough air & water. All fuses check OK. Any ideas? } Thank you! } Peter Stolzenberg }
---------------------- Mr. R.C. Doole Department of Materials, University of Oxford. Parks Road, Oxford. OX1 3PH. UK. Phone +44 (0) 1865 273701 Fax +44 (0) 1865 283333 ron.doole-at-materials.ox.ac.uk
} } } Hi, we have a problem with switching on the unit. If you turn the key, it } will start, but when you release the key, it stops immediately. The Forepump } does not start, we have enough air & water. All fuses check OK. Any ideas? } Thank you! } Peter Stolzenberg
Peter:
I often have the same problem with my 1200EX II. Sometimes this is caused by a misalignment of the flywheel sensor on the mechanical pump. Other times it is due to insufficient air pressure. Try this: turn the power off at the main disconnect, then switch it back on; set the the key to the ON position for a few minutes before moving it to START. You may have to repeat this cycle a few times, but it always works on my instrument. Good Luck!
Ken Bart
..................................................................... ..................................................................... ............ Kenneth M. Bart Director, Electron Microscopy Facility Hamilton College Clinton, New York 13323
1. when starting, it is suggested you need to hold the key for a while, then release, 2. check the belt of the pump 3. check the water again, a sensor connect to oil pump will stop the machine when no water running
Yali ---------- } From: Ron Doole {ron.doole-at-materials.oxford.ac.uk} } To: microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } Subject: Re: Jeol 1200 EX } Date: Fri, May 25, 2001, 2:14 }
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
I got the maker wrong. It is Matheson Gas Products, not Millipore.
The Matheson Glass Moisture Trap (with pre-loaded sieve material) is P/N 6420-4S. The Glass Moisture Refill kit (several plastic containers of sieve material) is P/N 6420-R.
Any outfit which handles Matheson should be able to order these items for you. The sieve unit has stainless steel Swagelok fittings on each end. A really nice product. Zero maintenance.
gary g.
At 03:39 AM 5/25/2001, you wrote:
} Hi, Gary } } Can u advise the details of the Millipore thingy? } } ta } } rtch } } } } } } I use cheap, industrial grade Argon which is run through } } a Millipore molecular sieve. The sieve lasts for years. } } The cylinder of Ar costs about $20 and also lasts for years. } } The sieve assembly cost about $300. Virtually a one time } } expense. } } } } I do the same for N2. I use industrial grade N2 ($20 per cylinder } } rather than 9.8 N2 ($90 per cylinder). After two years, the N2 } } sieve is unchanged. } } } } Dr Ritchie Sims Phone : 64 9 3737599 ext 7713 } Department of Geology Fax : 64 9 3737435 } The University of Auckland email : r.sims-at-auckland.ac.nz } Private Bag 92019 } Auckland } New Zealand
We have a sample of ZnSe with a thin layer of SiO2 on the surface. We would like to remove the SiO2 without damaging the ZnSe. Does anybody on the list know if ZnSe is susceptible to attack by HF? It has been suggested to me that this is possible and I was wondering if anyone has any practical experience to confirm or deny the suggestion.
Phil Flaitz IBM Microelectronics, Hopewell Junction, NY Ph.......(845) 892-3094, FAX -2003 pager - 800-352-4732, PIN# 1121 flaitz-at-us.ibm.com
I am trying to locate a histoembedder: for paraffin histology. The only one I have thus far been able to locate is one for $8500 - with way to many swanky things on it (to tell me the precices temperature of the paraffin, and under vacuum). (I don't need that - and I can't justify the school buying that kinda equipment for me). I remember using simple one - paraffin on one end, and the cold plate on the other - with only two buttons (the fewer the better, especially since this will be used in teaching undergrads).
Does anyone out there know where I can get such a machine for a reasonable price? Susan J Rehorek, Ph.D. Department of Biology Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania PA, 16057-1326
We are looking for a microscopy objective that matches the following features:
- high N.A. (} 0.9), - water-immersion, - slim diameter (preferably { 0.7 inches or {18 mm at its end), - any magnification between 20x and 63x, - corrected for 160 mm (Nikon Measurescope MM-11), - suitable for fluorescence imaging, - preferably with a large working distance (for electrophysiology).
The lens can be new or used. Maybe you have something like that collecting dust on your shelves. Any offer is welcome.
Thanks a lot, with best regards,
Axel
Axel Blau, Ph.D. California Institute of Technology Division of Biology 156-29 1200 E. California Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91125
Why so much fuss over the argon? I was involved in the development of some of the early sputter coaters and argon was the least of our worries. We often used air when making test runs! The only problem with air is one day it may be dry the next day it may be wet so the coatings are different, well in England any way!
If some one can PROVE a difference I would be very interested to hear? If there is a problem, with different grades of argon I would be rather surprised?
Regards looking forward to some informative replies :-)
Steve Chapman Senior Consultant, Protrain For professional training in SEM, TEM and EDX world wide www.emcourses.com
Phil Flaitz wrote: ============================================== We have a sample of ZnSe with a thin layer of SiO2 on the surface. We would like to remove the SiO2 without damaging the ZnSe. Does anybody on the list know if ZnSe is susceptible to attack by HF? It has been suggested to me that this is possible and I was wondering if anyone has any practical experience to confirm or deny the suggestion. ===============================================
Why could the SiO2 layer not be etched off with a reactive CF4 gas, such as CF4, using plasma etching? I would imagine that once the SiO2 layer was etched off, it would continue to etch the substrate, so some kind of control samples might have to be run to determine the exact time needed to remove the SiO2 but not etch the substrate. If one back fills to the same vacuum before starting, it is possible to get a remarkably reproducible etch on successive samples.
Disclaimer: SPI Supplies manufactures the Plasma Prep II plasma etcher, a full description of which can be found on our website indicated below.
Chuck
PS: Please remember that we are nearly 100% paperless and we would ask that any reply to this message be by way of the "reply" feature on your software, so that the entire string of correspondence can come back to us and all be in one place.
=================================================== Charles A. Garber, Ph. D. Ph: 1-(610)-436-5400 President 1-(800)-2424-SPI SPI SUPPLIES FAX: 1-(610)-436-5755 PO BOX 656 e-mail: cgarber-at-2spi.com West Chester, PA 19381-0656 USA Cust. Service: spi2spi-at-2spi.com
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The short answer is NO. But here is what I do know about the 305FE gun--after about two years of experience on two different FE scopes.
So I'm told, the filament is a ZrO/W unit made by Denka. The top of the filament holder is held in place by a zillion Allen head bolts. Also on the top holder plate are three pairs of large gauge wires which are the leads for the three "getters."
When the filament is replaced (factory), there is some sort of alignment procedure. This involves three small Allen head set screws on the top sides of the gun housing. Once aligned, these screws are supposedly never adjusted again. But, if during a move, and the filament assembly got really whacked out of position, it is re-aligned using these set screws. There is probably a lot more work for filament replacement than just replacing the filament. The whole electrode assembly may be cleaned or replaced (extractor, etc.).
The construction of the gun assembly is such that there is a gun isolation valve (V1) which closes off the gun from the lower column. At the top of the column is a differential pumping aperture. This is not a consumable item. Below the DPA is the column isolation valve (V3). Some of these two valves are pneumatic while others (like mine) are manual.
As-shipped, the FE gun includes a Varian 1 L/second ion pump. The gun is under high vacuum at about 8E-11 Torr. Replacement of the gun is not simply replacement of the gun assembly. It involves "conditioning" the new gun as-received via a lengthy process. The gun is well grounded to earth ground. Then, the ion pump is powered by a small power supply which provides a voltage output proportional to ion pump current. Then, the whole gun head assembly (high tension cable for all electrodes) are slowly raised to 32KV. When this is being done, the IPG (gun ion pump current) is monitored. If it starts to increase, the KV is reduced, held and then slowly increased. This process continues until 32KV is reached. If at any point, the gun head arcs, the whole process starts over. It seems to take about three hours to complete this process.
Once the conditioning is done, the gun assembly is mounted to the column. Then, vigorous pumping begins. The filament is off and V1 is still closed. Once the column vacuum reaches a safe level (typically 5E-10 Torr), the gun isolation valve is opened, vacuum checked, and the filament can be heated. It takes quite a few days for the filament to stabilize (Iext will vary for a while). Once stable, it remains very stable until it dies. Handled correctly, a gun is good for anywhere between two to four years.
Power failure, poisoning of the filament and surges can cause premature failure of the filament/gun. Right now, I am told that Amray is supporting all FE systems. The 305FE gun is the same one used on the KLA-Tencor semiconductor defect analysis tools. It is a very good gun. Extraordinarily stable. I use two double conversion UPS units (Toshiba 1400XL Plus) to protect the column and console assemblies. This helps a lot....especially here in California these days!
Under a maintenance contract, the gun is a $2K consumable. Without a contract, it is a $16K item. So I am told. I do know that it costs $2K to replace under contract since I have had to have that done one time.
gary g.
At 07:25 PM 5/21/2001, you wrote:
} Dear Listers, } } Has anyone sucessfully done an Amray FE filament replacement for the newer } "305" guns? } } I think there is more to it than meets the eye. } } Thank You, } } Earl
Listers, It appears that Pfeiffer(Balzers) Vacuum Company will no longer be supporting its older turbo pumps, like the TPH 170, 240, etc. No parts, no repairs, nothing. I received notification from Pfeiffer that this will be effective Jan. 1, 2002. Of course, they want you to buy their "new" pumps. All of the independent turbo repair shops are scrambling trying to find parts for the pumps they are repairing now, or have commitments to repair in the future. Naturally, the cost of repairs to these pumps has skyrocketed. The attraction of the use of Balzers turbo pumps in electron microscopes was the fact that this pump was in effect "self-balancing", emitting very low mechanical vibrations. Has anyone found any suitable replacement for this pump by another manufacturer? Suitable meaning not only good vibration specs but also reasonable in cost, for purchase and or to repair.
hi all someone posed a question to me after being inspected by JCAHO the } inspectors were upset they were using glut. i had never heard of a good } subsitiute for glut so i thought i would throw it out to you guys. he didn't } say if it was a labeling problem or just the fact they had glut. i have never } heard of such a thing before. } john hoffpauir } electron microscopy lab } cooper hospital camden nj
Listers, Anyone having a image of the ISI SR50A SEM(like from an old sales brochure or pic from a digital camera) that could emailed to me, it would be greatly appreciated. Please send to {mailto:gary.easton-at-scannerscorp.com} gary.easton-at-scannerscorp.com directly. Thanks in advance.
I am located on the central Atlantic coast of Florida and am considering purchase of a confocal microscope from BioRad. I would appreciate hearing, offline, from anyone in the southeastern US who has had first-hand experience (good or bad) with their equipment and service.
How about a plasma etch with CF4 + O2? That will etch the SiO2. Not sure about the other materials. You might want to run some tests on this.
gary g.
At 12:26 PM 5/25/2001, you wrote:
} We have a sample of ZnSe with a thin layer of SiO2 on the surface. We } would like to remove the SiO2 without damaging the ZnSe. Does anybody on } the list know if ZnSe is susceptible to attack by HF? It has been } suggested to me that this is possible and I was wondering if anyone has any } practical experience to confirm or deny the suggestion. } } } Phil Flaitz } IBM Microelectronics, Hopewell Junction, NY } Ph.......(845) 892-3094, FAX -2003 } pager - 800-352-4732, PIN# 1121 } flaitz-at-us.ibm.com
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-- [ From: Garber, Charles A. * EMC.Ver #3.1 ] --
Phil Flaitz wrote: ============================================== We have a sample of ZnSe with a thin layer of SiO2 on the surface. We would like to remove the SiO2 without damaging the ZnSe. Does anybody on the list know if ZnSe is susceptible to attack by HF? It has been suggested to me that this is possible and I was wondering if anyone has any practical experience to confirm or deny the suggestion. ===============================================
Why could the SiO2 layer not be etched off with a reactive CF4 gas, such as CF4, using plasma etching? I would imagine that once the SiO2 layer was etched off, it would continue to etch the substrate, so some kind of control samples might have to be run to determine the exact time needed to remove the SiO2 but not etch the substrate. If one back fills to the same vacuum before starting, it is possible to get a remarkably reproducible etch on successive samples.
Disclaimer: SPI Supplies manufactures the Plasma Prep II plasma etcher, a full description of which can be found on our website indicated below.
Chuck
PS: Please remember that we are nearly 100% paperless and we would ask that any reply to this message be by way of the "reply" feature on your software, so that the entire string of correspondence can come back to us and all be in one place.
=================================================== Charles A. Garber, Ph. D. Ph: 1-(610)-436-5400 President 1-(800)-2424-SPI SPI SUPPLIES FAX: 1-(610)-436-5755 PO BOX 656 e-mail: cgarber-at-2spi.com West Chester, PA 19381-0656 USA Cust. Service: spi2spi-at-2spi.com
Look for us! ############################ WWW: http://www.2spi.com ############################ ==================================================
I wasn't so much concerned with the conditioning of the filament.
This process is fairly straightforward. Amray brings up the high voltage until the gun arcs causing the vacuum to deteriorate. The heaters (non-evaporative getters) are again activated to bring the pressure down again. This process is repeated until a maximum voltage of 35 KV for one hour is achieved. The external filament adjustments are two assemblies: one for X another for Y. These adjustments push on two glass rods that are internally spring loaded. The assemblies are composed of a stainless steel "cup" , a brass adjustment pin, & a small (looks like a 4-40) setscrew. The real adjustment is made on the brass pin only; the setscrew is used to limit the brass pin travel only.
I am more concerned with the initial mechanical pre-alignment of the filament itself. It appears that the filaments as sold by Denka and/or FEI come pre-aligned in it's own wehnelt assembly. This entire assembly is held in yet another "sleeve" that has another four setscrews to align it again. Seems redundant but perhaps there is a reason.
Another interesting note is that the filament construction appears to be different between the Denka & FEI filaments. This is according to their respective websites. Also the price difference is significant: FEI price is $1750.00 while Denka is $2600.00. Amray has used both vendors.
Another interesting detail is that the manufacturer's recommend that the filaments be operated at 1800 deg K. Amray runs the filaments at about 1600-1650 deg K & raises the extraction voltage to compensate. I think this would give the filament more life at the cost of some stability.
By the way, I believe there are 16 allen head screws on the top of the gun housing & the appendage pump is a 2 l/s pump.
Best Regards,
Earl
----- Original Message ----- } From: "Gary Gaugler" {gary-at-gaugler.com} To: "Earl Weltmer" {earlw-at-pacbell.net} Cc: "MSA listserver" {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} Sent: Friday, May 25, 2001 4:20 PM
Just a reminder to Listers who might be interested to attend the ASM Educational Symposium "Materials MicroCharacterization: Today and Tomorrow" next week in Oak Ridge...please check out details at http://www.korrnet.org/orcasm/. We're especially interested to have students attend, and the registration is only $20 (for students).
Larry
-- Dr. Lawrence F. Allard Distinguished Research Staff Member High Temperature Materials Laboratory Oak Ridge National Laboratory 1 Bethel Valley Road Bldg. 4515, MS 6064 PO Box 2008 Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6064
Except for microwave fixation, which is not universally accepted, all fixatives are nasty. After all, fixatives are meant to kill cells and tissues. Coming to think of it: microwaves are nasty too, except that they are contained within the oven. And that is the take-home message for the safety officer: Any substance can be used in great safety if the correct procedures and facilities are applied. The right facilities and procedures for some substances can be too expensive, but not for the use of modest quantities of GA as in EM. A fumehood and suitable (Nitrile) gloves and fairly elementary working skills make the use of GA very save.
Where are the cases of EM related problems with GA? The few that have occurred were caused by bad facilities/ working habits or related to a sensitivity problem.
I expect that GA has a bad name in hospitals because of its use as a sterilising agent. Rooms have been sterilized by spraying GA as an aerosol and operating instruments have been bathed in large trays of GA, at times in unventilated rooms. EM people don't have such absurd applications. Cheers Jim Darley
ProSciTech Microscopy PLUS PO Box 111, Thuringowa QLD 4817 Australia Ph +61 7 4774 0370 Fax:+61 7 4789 2313 service-at-proscitech.com Great microscopy catalogue, 500 Links, MSDS, User Notes ABN: 99 724 136 560 www.proscitech.com
On Saturday, May 26, 2001 9:26 AM, "JHoffpa464-at-aol.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com [SMTP:"JHoffpa464-at-aol.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com] wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } hi all someone posed a question to me after being inspected by JCAHO the } } inspectors were upset they were using glut. i had never heard of a good } } subsitiute for glut so i thought i would throw it out to you guys. he } didn't } } say if it was a labeling problem or just the fact they had glut. i have } never } } heard of such a thing before. } } john hoffpauir } } electron microscopy lab } } cooper hospital camden nj
EDWARDS distributes SEIKO SEIKI magnetically levitated (active magnetic suspension of both ends) turbopumps. I am using STM-450 (450 l/sec) for 2 years and really happy with this stuff. Extremely easy to operate (actually stop/start button). Don't need any cooling (even air flow). Any orientation. And supposed to be completely vibration-free, because the rotor have no contact with "body". In case of emergency stop it uses internal electricity generator to power controller and suspension. Active suspension protects from any disbalance in the system. Does not require any technical assistance. These pumps are pricely, but EDWARDS kindly offered to me very good discount. These pumps are work-horses in industry but rare in EM community. I have no idea why. Please, let me know if you need more details.
No commercial interest, just happy user and owner.
Sergey
At 06:24 PM 5/25/01 -0500, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Sergey Ryazantsev, Ph.D. Electron Microscopy Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles Box 951737 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1737
Does anyone have phase contrast and/or Nomarski optics for a 1970's Olympus Vanox microscope that they would like to sell or give away? If so please contact me.
New York Microscopical Society 30 North Mountain Avenue Montclair, NJ 07042
Bernard Friedman Memorial Workshop
Use of the Microscope September 15, 22, 29, October 6, 2001
A basic course on light microscopy which will cover the following topics: Theory of microscopy Kohler Illumination Diffraction Theory Contrast Methods Polarized light Phase Contrast Interference . . . . Hoffman contrast, Rheinberg, Dark-field & oblique Illumination, etc.
The workshop will consist of four consecutive Saturdays of lectures and hands on labs to cover the theoretical and practical aspects of microscopy. The course instructors include Jan Hinsch of Leica, Inc., Dennis O’Leary of Micro-Optical Methods, Mary McCann of McCann Imaging, John Reffner of SensIR Technologies, Inc. and N.Y.M.S. Instructor Don O'Leary.
WHEN: September 15, 22, 29, October 6, 2001 from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.
WHERE: 30 N. Mountain Avenue, Montclair, NJ, Phone (973) 744-0043 ( parking, accessible by public transportation, Information on car pools and transportation will be provided.)
COST: $275 for N.Y.M.S. members, $295 for non-members (includes membership) Lunch and course materials are included. Checks made out to N.Y.M.S.
WHO: Beginners and experienced users who wish to learn more about the proper use of a microscope.
HOW: Register using the form below. Limited to the first 12 registrants. Send form to Don O'Leary, 6 Chittenden Road, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410.
FURTHER INFORMATION: Call D. O'Leary (201) 797 -8849 E-mail donoleary-at-worldnet.att.net Fax (425) 988-1415
PLEASE POST ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- Registration Form Use of the Microscope
ISI/Topcon uses/used these pumps too. They are very nice and quite reliable. I think the reason the masses don't use them is because they are about four times more costly than the single mag bearing pumps like the Balzers. If they got close to the cost of the Balzers, they certainly would be strong contenders for replacement units. The down side is the re-wiring it would take to incorporate the Seiko units. Most of the controllers are much larger than those for the Balzers. And the in and out signals may be different.
gary g.
At 02:02 AM 5/26/2001, you wrote:
} EDWARDS distributes SEIKO SEIKI magnetically levitated (active magnetic } suspension of both ends) turbopumps. I am using STM-450 (450 l/sec) for 2 } years and really happy with this stuff. Extremely easy to operate } (actually stop/start button). Don't need any cooling (even air flow). Any } orientation. And supposed to be completely vibration-free, because the } rotor have no contact with "body". In case of emergency stop it uses } internal electricity generator to power controller and suspension. Active } suspension protects from any disbalance in the system. Does not require } any technical assistance. These pumps are pricely, but EDWARDS kindly } offered to me very good discount. These pumps are work-horses in industry } but rare in EM community. I have no idea why. Please, let me know if you } need more details. } } No commercial interest, just happy user and owner. } } Sergey } } At 06:24 PM 5/25/01 -0500, you wrote: } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Plasma etching of SiO2 with only CF4 is rather slow. The optimum mix of O2 is 10%.
Just thinking here, but you might also try Ammonium Flouride. It is a selective oxide etch and will not attack metal. At least it will not attack Aluminum. HF will attack Al. You can obtain BOE (buffered oxide etch) which has or does not have HF. This may work too. The wet etch methods may be much easier to accomplish than plasma, if you are not already set up the work and expense involved with plasma.
gary g.
At 12:26 PM 5/25/2001, you wrote:
} We have a sample of ZnSe with a thin layer of SiO2 on the surface. We } would like to remove the SiO2 without damaging the ZnSe. Does anybody on } the list know if ZnSe is susceptible to attack by HF? It has been } suggested to me that this is possible and I was wondering if anyone has any } practical experience to confirm or deny the suggestion. } } } Phil Flaitz } IBM Microelectronics, Hopewell Junction, NY } Ph.......(845) 892-3094, FAX -2003 } pager - 800-352-4732, PIN# 1121 } flaitz-at-us.ibm.com
At 08:25 PM 5/25/2001, you wrote: } Gary, } } I wasn't so much concerned with the conditioning of the filament. } } This process is fairly straightforward. Amray brings up the high voltage } until the gun arcs causing the vacuum to deteriorate. The heaters } (non-evaporative getters) are again activated to bring the pressure down } again. This process is repeated until a maximum voltage of 35 KV for one } hour is achieved.
Yes. Has to be done right or the gun will never perform correctly.
} [snip] } } Another interesting note is that the filament construction appears to be } different between the Denka & FEI filaments. } This is according to their respective websites. Also the price difference is } significant: FEI price is $1750.00 while Denka is $2600.00. } Amray has used both vendors.
I had heard that FEI may have supplied filaments. Lately, Denka seems to be more predominant. No proof of which is used more or less or not at all.
} Another interesting detail is that the manufacturer's recommend that the } filaments be operated at 1800 deg K. } Amray runs the filaments at about 1600-1650 deg K & raises the extraction } voltage to compensate. } I think this would give the filament more life at the cost of some } stability.
Each new gun comes with a comprehensive spec sheet with all parameters specified. The specs and values are taken at some particular filament current, based on each individual filament/gun. The standard practice is to reduce this current by 70mA. That is then the continuous filament current for the gun. The Vext is then adjusted to meet the gun brightness spec of 12.5nA. This takes a while (several days) to settle in on. Iext is more of a notional indicator of gun condition. It may vary a bit over time (and does vary absolutely as-delivered from gun to gun) but is quite stable until the gun starts to die. Conversely, the gun brightness value is very stable. It may vary by no more than 0.5nA or less each month.
As part of my routine qualification procedure, I take all gun status readings and the gun brightness value. A healthy gun/filament barely varies in gun brightness. It is very stable. I think the reduction in filament current was to extend the life of the filament.
} By the way, I believe there are 16 allen head screws on the top of the gun } housing & the appendage pump is a 2 l/s pump.
Ah...that explains it. I could not count all of the screws using fingers on both hands. Thanks.
Perhaps it is indeed a 2L/s pump. Still, it is a tiny little ion pump. But critical.
The Seiko pumps are not made to withstand the constant cycling from atmosphere to high vacuum that the Balzers pumps will endure.
ISI/ Topcon has valving assembly which isolates the turbo from this cycling. the Cambridge/ Leo & later Amray pump and vent the entire pumping system each time a sample is introduced.
Earl
----- Original Message ----- } From: "Gary Gaugler" {gary-at-gaugler.com} To: "Sergey Ryazantsev" {sryazant-at-ucla.edu} Cc: "MSA listserver" {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2001 7:22 AM
Retail boxed Linux (Redhat, for example) is not free. It is about the same price as Win2K.
The main problem is as you point out--application programs. While many are available for Wintel, there are few for Linux. Being an open system, Linux depends on having source code so one can compile the app for the specific Linux platform. This is unlikely to happen for industrial strength apps. They do not supply source code. And most probably, they do not support Linux.
Nevertheless, Linux with X-windows on a P-III/733 or 933 is really awesome!
gary g.
At 08:33 PM 5/21/2001, you wrote:
} I would agree that familiarity with the operating environment is important } for timely performance of server administration tasks-documentation and } advocacy groups exist for both platforms, however. It might be worth while } to become familiar with a UNIX like operating system (such as Linux) if one } has the luxury of time (I'll explain momentarily). Cost may be an } issue-Linux is free. Both OSes run on the x86 architecture. } It seems that your choice(s) of application software should be a } heavywieght factor in your decision. At the risk of over-simplification } I'll just say that most proprietary "out of the box" solutions are developed } for Windows/NT. There is a huge installed base of Wintel machines, and } there are powerful software development tools for this platform which allow } software developers to develop large complicated programs very rapidly. } Linux has the advantage that many programs written to run under the } various flavors of UNIX will compile and run. Many cutting edge scientific } applications, including image processing utilities, are developed by } researchers who are experienced coders and prefer to work under the UNIX } platform. The reason for this is partially historical-in the past only large } UNIX mainframe servers had the horsepower for image manipulation. More } often than not these software tools are available free of charge to fellow } researchers and are provided as open-source (one can view and modify the } original code to suit specialized situations). } So it really boils down to an ease of use vs. scalability/extensibility } issue with cost, and perhaps minor hardware decisions (sometimes peripherals } are difficult to configure under Linux ie. video cards, scanners etc...). } In the long run, however, time spent now learning to work with Linux may pay } off: the heart of the OS (the kernel) evolves continually in response to } the needs of users, and the kernel can be upgraded without disrupting other } parameters of the OS. Also, Linux runs on most (if not by now all)commonly } encountered chip architectures so one may have several different kinds of } machine (PC, Mac, SUN) all running the same operating system. } } Karl Garsha } www.uwm.edu/~keg } ----- Original Message ----- } } From: "Chao-Ying Ni" {cni-at-udel.edu} } To: {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} } Sent: Friday, May 18, 2001 9:36 AM } Subject: EM Lab Server OS: Linux or Windows 2000? } } } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } } Dear colleagues, } } } } I'm going to build an EM lab server to run web and other applications, } } to share files, especially to have an interactive wed scheduling software } } to schedule and monitor usage of our 2 TEMs and 2 SEMs. Right now I have } } narrow down the platform to Linux and Windows 2000. Could you please give } } me some inputs concerning the pros and cons of these two operating } } systems? Any comments and suggestions on the hardware selection are also } } more than welcome. Thanks in advance! } } } } Chaoying Ni } } Electron Microscopy Lab } } Dept. of Materials sci. and Eng. } } University of Delaware } } Newark, DE 19716 } } cni-at-udel.edu } } } } } } } }
The question is about a server not a work station or PC. Very few applications need to be run on a server and all the ones that are needed are almost always included in the basic free distribution of Linux. Using a server for any other use is asking for trouble. Just set it up and leave it alone. I don't think anyone has actualy been at the console of my server more than a dozen time in 5 years. I just telnet in and use vi. I suppose if I had easy physical access to the box I would consider installing X windows but it way too slow over the phone line.
Almost all the Linux distributions are coming with a installation program that make it pretty simple to get things running. If you run a mailer it is potentially the greatest problem. If you are going to run a mailer I would seriously consider Linux or Unix because of the security issues with windows. With Linux in particular the security problems are quickly reported and the fixes quickly available. Who knows with windows.
Gordon Who never found a mailer I liked.
Gordon Couger gcouger-at-couger.com Stillwater, OK www.couger.com/gcouger 405 624-2855 GMT -6:00 } From: "Gary Gaugler" {gary-at-gaugler.com} } } Retail boxed Linux (Redhat, for example) is not free. It is about } the same price as Win2K. } } The main problem is as you point out--application programs. While } many are available for Wintel, there are few for Linux. Being an } open system, Linux depends on having source code so one can } compile the app for the specific Linux platform. This is unlikely to } happen for industrial strength apps. They do not supply source code. } And most probably, they do not support Linux. } } Nevertheless, Linux with X-windows on a P-III/733 or 933 is really awesome! } } gary g. } } } At 08:33 PM 5/21/2001, you wrote: } } } I would agree that familiarity with the operating environment is important } } for timely performance of server administration tasks-documentation and } } advocacy groups exist for both platforms, however. It might be worth while } } to become familiar with a UNIX like operating system (such as Linux) if one } } has the luxury of time (I'll explain momentarily). Cost may be an } } issue-Linux is free. Both OSes run on the x86 architecture. } } It seems that your choice(s) of application software should be a } } heavywieght factor in your decision. At the risk of over-simplification } } I'll just say that most proprietary "out of the box" solutions are developed } } for Windows/NT. There is a huge installed base of Wintel machines, and } } there are powerful software development tools for this platform which allow } } software developers to develop large complicated programs very rapidly. } } Linux has the advantage that many programs written to run under the } } various flavors of UNIX will compile and run. Many cutting edge scientific } } applications, including image processing utilities, are developed by } } researchers who are experienced coders and prefer to work under the UNIX } } platform. The reason for this is partially historical-in the past only large } } UNIX mainframe servers had the horsepower for image manipulation. More } } often than not these software tools are available free of charge to fellow } } researchers and are provided as open-source (one can view and modify the } } original code to suit specialized situations). } } So it really boils down to an ease of use vs. scalability/extensibility } } issue with cost, and perhaps minor hardware decisions (sometimes peripherals } } are difficult to configure under Linux ie. video cards, scanners etc...). } } In the long run, however, time spent now learning to work with Linux may pay } } off: the heart of the OS (the kernel) evolves continually in response to } } the needs of users, and the kernel can be upgraded without disrupting other } } parameters of the OS. Also, Linux runs on most (if not by now all)commonly } } encountered chip architectures so one may have several different kinds of } } machine (PC, Mac, SUN) all running the same operating system. } } } } Karl Garsha } } www.uwm.edu/~keg } } ----- Original Message ----- } } } From: "Chao-Ying Ni" {cni-at-udel.edu} } } To: {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} } } Sent: Friday, May 18, 2001 9:36 AM } } Subject: EM Lab Server OS: Linux or Windows 2000? } } } } } } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } } } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } } } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } } } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } } } } } Dear colleagues, } } } } } } I'm going to build an EM lab server to run web and other applications, } } } to share files, especially to have an interactive wed scheduling software } } } to schedule and monitor usage of our 2 TEMs and 2 SEMs. Right now I have } } } narrow down the platform to Linux and Windows 2000. Could you please give } } } me some inputs concerning the pros and cons of these two operating } } } systems? Any comments and suggestions on the hardware selection are also } } } more than welcome. Thanks in advance! } } } } } } Chaoying Ni } } } Electron Microscopy Lab } } } Dept. of Materials sci. and Eng. } } } University of Delaware } } } Newark, DE 19716 } } } cni-at-udel.edu } } } } } } } } } } } } } }
Thanks for your reply. Ironically, I do use my SEIKO STM-450 for frequent air/atmosphere cycles because it installed on my vacuum evaporator. When I shop around different models (Varian, Pfeiffer and native EDWARDS) the major criterion was the ability to handle frequent air/vacuum cycles (a few per day). After many conversations and discussions with technical support teams, the SEIKO was chosen. I don't remember details (if you need, I could check), but it seems to me the pump was 1.5x more expensive than Varian with equal productivity (before discount). As I mentioned, EDWARDS give me a very nice price, so it was not so terrible expensive. Shopped for the pump I was surprised to see how companies use TPs. For example, on the Denton DV-502A 800 l/sec aca Varian M-6 diffusion pump is a standard, they offer also TP version with 150 l/sec pump. So, they installed less productive TP, perhaps to reduce the cost. I think, your impressions about the price of SEIKO based on comparison the TPs with different productivity (may be I am wrong).
As for Gary's remark about SEIKO controller, it's much smaller now. Previous models has battery installed inside controller to support active suspension during emergence shout downs. The modern models uses internal TP generator to support themselves in that case. The controller is comparable with my BALZERS controller in size. The wiring should be different for sure and perhaps SEIKO's wiring is more complicated. From another hand, SEIKO's TP do not required cooling, which is a nice feature I think. Controller, unfortunately, does not have RS-232 interface. It has a simple interface based on logistic like: contacts #1 and say #5 connected/disconnected by external relay. Using this things, you could start/stop TP and control some simply features. It was useful to me: using a few relays, electro-magnetic vacuum valves and signals from my vacuum gauge, I was able to make fully automatic system, which operated by single switch: AIR/VACUUM. Actually, I do have two more switches for safety reasons: Main and switch to shout down the TP manually in between the cycle.
Thanks to all who mentioned where in EM-world SEIKO pumps has been used (I am really happy for Hitachi and Topcon who choose this pump for their microscopes).
I am not related to EDWARDS or SEIKO and have no any interest in that companies except I am happy with their products and services.
Thanks.
Sergey.
At 01:43 PM 5/26/01 -0700, you wrote: } The Seiko pumps are not made to withstand the constant cycling from } atmosphere to high vacuum that the Balzers pumps will endure. } } ISI/ Topcon has valving assembly which isolates the turbo from this cycling. } the Cambridge/ Leo & later Amray pump and vent the entire pumping system } each time a sample is introduced. } } } } Earl } } ----- Original Message ----- } From: "Gary Gaugler" {gary-at-gaugler.com} } To: "Sergey Ryazantsev" {sryazant-at-ucla.edu} } Cc: "MSA listserver" {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} } Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2001 7:22 AM } Subject: Re: Balzers Turbo Pumps } } } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } } ISI/Topcon uses/used these pumps too. They are very nice and quite } } reliable. I think the reason the masses don't use them is because they } } are about four times more costly than the single mag bearing pumps } } like the Balzers. If they got close to the cost of the Balzers, they } } certainly would be strong contenders for replacement units. The down } } side is the re-wiring it would take to incorporate the Seiko units. } } Most of the controllers are much larger than those for the Balzers. } } And the in and out signals may be different. } } } } gary g. } } } } } } At 02:02 AM 5/26/2001, you wrote: } } } } } EDWARDS distributes SEIKO SEIKI magnetically levitated (active magnetic } } } suspension of both ends) turbopumps. I am using STM-450 (450 l/sec) for } 2 } } } years and really happy with this stuff. Extremely easy to operate } } } (actually stop/start button). Don't need any cooling (even air flow). } Any } } } orientation. And supposed to be completely vibration-free, because the } } } rotor have no contact with "body". In case of emergency stop it uses } } } internal electricity generator to power controller and suspension. } Active } } } suspension protects from any disbalance in the system. Does not require } } } any technical assistance. These pumps are pricely, but EDWARDS kindly } } } offered to me very good discount. These pumps are work-horses in } industry } } } but rare in EM community. I have no idea why. Please, let me know if you } } } need more details. } } } } } } No commercial interest, just happy user and owner. } } } } } } Sergey } } } } } } At 06:24 PM 5/25/01 -0500, you wrote: } } } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } } } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } } } } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } } } } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } } } } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } } } } } } } } Listers, } } } } It appears that Pfeiffer(Balzers) Vacuum Company will no longer be } } } } supporting its older turbo pumps, like the TPH 170, 240, etc. No } parts, } } } } no repairs, nothing. I received notification from Pfeiffer that this } } } } will be effective Jan. 1, 2002. Of course, they want you to buy their } } } } "new" pumps. All of the independent turbo repair shops are scrambling } } } } trying to find parts for the pumps they are repairing now, or have } } } } commitments to repair in the future. Naturally, the cost of repairs to } } } } these pumps has skyrocketed. The attraction of the use of Balzers } turbo } } } } pumps in electron microscopes was the fact that this pump was in effect } } } } "self-balancing", emitting very low mechanical vibrations. Has anyone } } } } found any suitable replacement for this pump by another } } } } manufacturer? Suitable meaning not only good vibration specs but also } } } } reasonable in cost, for purchase and or to repair. } } } } } } } } } } } } } } } } Gary M. Easton } } } } Scanners Corporation } } } } } } ------------------------------------------------------ } } } } } } Sergey Ryazantsev, Ph.D. } } } Electron Microscopy } } } Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine } } } University of California, Los Angeles } } } Box 951737 } } } Los Angeles, CA 90095-1737 } } } } } } (310) 825-1144 (office) } } } Pager: (310) 845-0248 } } } FAX: (310) 206-5272 (departmental) } } } mailto:sryazant-at-ucla.edu } } } } } } } } }
Sergey Ryazantsev, Ph.D. Electron Microscopy Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles Box 951737 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1737
For most work a server does a computer being retired from the desk top is fast enough to do the job. It usually needs a bigger hard drive and more memory. Unless there are a lot of users logged on at once or a lot of large files being moved most servers don't work very hard. Build two on to go and one for a spare. If your department is like mine you should be able to come up with a few 300 MHz Pentiums and they make nice Linux servers. And use the high end machine for a better use or use the money for a better use.
I think my server is running a 133 Pentium.
Gordon Gordon Couger gcouger-at-couger.com Stillwater, OK www.couger.com/gcouger
} From: "Karl Garsha" {keg-at-csd.uwm.edu}
} One other concept that comes to mind, which may or may not pertain to the } individual situation we're addressing, is the issue of clustering } capability. Put simply, "clustering" provides for the linking together of } several servers over a high-speed local area network for puposes of ensuring } availability of server services in the event of a hardware malfunction, or } to balance the load on a heavily used server between multiple machines, or } both. Software to accomplish this is readily available for Linux (ie. } MOSIX: www.mosix.cs.huji.ac.il, and several others). I'm not entirely sure } if this can be accomplished under NT/2000, but I don't think so. } Clustering capability may seem extravagant considering the anticipated } use the server will recieve initially, but a couple years from now one might } be dealing with greatly expanded server load, humongous files, an image } database etc. In this case it may be attractive to hook together a couple } or few older machines rather than forcing the trusty primary server into } early retirement. } -Karl G. } } Karl Garsha } www.uwm.edu/~keg }
Hi I looking for a method for the staining of cell culture cells with ruthenium red for TEM. If have a method that works really well, I would appreciate a copy. Many thanks Manuela Palatsides Electron Microscopy Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute Locked Bag#1 A'Beckett Street Melbourne 3000
One other concept that comes to mind, which may or may not pertain to the individual situation we're addressing, is the issue of clustering capability. Put simply, "clustering" provides for the linking together of several servers over a high-speed local area network for puposes of ensuring availability of server services in the event of a hardware malfunction, or to balance the load on a heavily used server between multiple machines, or both. Software to accomplish this is readily available for Linux (ie. MOSIX: www.mosix.cs.huji.ac.il, and several others). I'm not entirely sure if this can be accomplished under NT/2000, but I don't think so. Clustering capability may seem extravagant considering the anticipated use the server will recieve initially, but a couple years from now one might be dealing with greatly expanded server load, humongous files, an image database etc. In this case it may be attractive to hook together a couple or few older machines rather than forcing the trusty primary server into early retirement. -Karl G.
**************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** ****** Karl Garsha www.uwm.edu/~keg
Does anyone have any suggestions for sources of good B&W (TV-rate) monitors?
------------------------------------------------------- Laurence Marks Department of Materials Science and Engineering & Center for Transportation Nanotechnology Northwestern University Tel: (847) 491-3996 Fax: (847) 491-7820 mailto:ldm-at-risc4.numis.nwu.edu http://www.numis.nwu.edu http://www.ctn.northwestern.edu ------------------------------------------------------- The Other Nanotubes http://focus.aps.org/open/st12.html Boron Nitride Nanotubes http://pubs.acs.org/cen/topstory/7912/7912notw1.html
Workshop May 17-19 2001 "New approaches to the Phase Problem" http://xraysweb.lbl.gov/esg/phasing/index.html
Dear Sir or Madam; Does anyone suggest suitable acids for etching and polishing of Cu-Mn(25%)-Al(11%) alloys and Cu-Mn(25%)-Zn(11%),Cu-Mn(25%) and Mf and Af temperature alloys? Thanks for your interested.
********************************** ********************************** ** Research.Asst.ERDEM YASAR ** ** University of Kirikkale ** ** Department of Physics ** ** TEM LABORATORY ** ** 71450 KIRIKKALE/TURKEY ** ** erdem.yasar-at-physics.org ** ** yasar-at-science.ankara.edu.tr ** ** yasar-at-turkuaz.kku.edu.tr ** ********************************** **********************************
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by (megaprpf-at-juno.com) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Monday, May 28, 2001 at 03:31:58 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: megaprpf-at-juno.com Name: Robert Bauman
Organization: Amarillo College
Education: Undergraduate College
Location: City, State, Country
Question: How long does one leave TEM polymer in a oven to harden it enough so that it can be sectioned on an ultramicrotome?
Electronic Surplus houses tend to get these... I have even heard stories of them being scrapped since the market is soft for them and some times dealers get a large lot.... They will put a few in the store and send the rest out for scrap.
thanks Ed Sharpe archivist for SMECC
{ { Subj: Re: B&W monitors Date: 5/28/01 10:43:01 AM US Mountain Standard Time From: {A HREF="mailto:COURYHOUSE"} COURYHOUSE {/A} To: {A HREF="mailto:ldm-at-risc4.numis.nwu.edu"} ldm-at-risc4.numis.nwu.edu {/A} To: {A HREF="mailto:microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com"} microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com {/A}
Electronic Surplus houses tend to get these... I have even heard stories of them being scrapped since the market is soft for them and some times dealers get a large lot.... They will put a few in the store and send the rest out for scrap.
I am considering purchase of a cryo ultramicrotome from Micro Star Technologies. I would appreciate comments from anyone who has had experience (good or bad) with this equipment and service.
Thanks in advance
Carmen Bracho Centro de Microbiologia, IVIC Phone/fax: + 58 212 504 17 59 e-mail: cbracho-at-ivic.ve
We routinely get inspected by JCAHO and CAP (College of American Pathologists). We've never had a problem with the inspectors. All EM labs, that I know of, including clinical ones, use glut for fixation. Find out just what the problem was--labeling, handling, or the fact that it was used at all.
Sara
On Fri, 25 May 2001 JHoffpa464-at-aol.com-at-sparc5.microscopy.com wrote:
} Date: Fri, 25 May 2001 18:25:35 -0500 } From: JHoffpa464-at-aol.com-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } Subject: subsitiute for glut } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } hi all someone posed a question to me after being inspected by JCAHO the } } inspectors were upset they were using glut. i had never heard of a good } } subsitiute for glut so i thought i would throw it out to you guys. he } didn't } } say if it was a labeling problem or just the fact they had glut. i have } never } } heard of such a thing before. } } john hoffpauir } } electron microscopy lab } } cooper hospital camden nj } }
Sara E. Miller, Ph. D. P. O. Box 3712 Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC 27710 Ph: 919 684-3452 FAX: 919 684-3265
I've been contacted by a retired biologist who runs a large photo service for publishers who need images. He says he can use a wide variety of subjects & he's particularly interested in the newer microscopies - "STEM, atomic force, molecular probe, fluorescent and confocal, etc." Please contact him directly if you have some good stuff to share:
} Photographs utilizing all types of microscopy are solicited for use in } science textbooks at all levels, children's science books, trade books, field } guides, aquarium and museum exhibits, TV programs (e.g., NOVA, Discovery } Channel), and other educational publications. Credit and appropriate payment } is given for each usage. Contact Dr. John D. Cunningham, VU Research/Visuals } Unlimited, 46 The Flume, Amherst, NH 03031 for information. Ph: (603) } 673-4653 Fax: (603) 673-4738 Email: john-at-visualsunlimited.
Caroline
Caroline Schooley Project MICRO Coordinator Microscopy Society of America Box 117, 45301 Caspar Point Road Caspar, CA 95420 Phone/FAX (707)964-9460 Project MICRO: http://www.msa.microscopy.com/ProjectMicro/PMHomePage.html Intertidal invertebrates: http://www.fortbragg.k12.ca.us/AG/marinelab.html
} From: "L. D. Marks" {ldm-at-risc4.numis.nwu.edu}
} Does anyone have any suggestions for sources of good B&W } (TV-rate) monitors? }
Your video production people on campus should be able to give you sources for them as well and may have surplus monitors on hand. If they can't help the local TV stations should be able to help.
Look in the yellow pages under security systems if you want to buy new ones locally.
If price is a problem get in touch with some local amateur radio operators and ask about the fellows working with TV broadcasting. They should have some or know where to get some for very reasonable prices. They will probably still have the university inventory stickers on them from the university auctions.
Yahoo shopping show a number of them as well http://search.shopping.yahoo.com/search/all?P=all&is=1&p=%22B%26w+monitor% 22&cl=dmiyg
Gordon Gordon Couger gcouger-at-couger.com Stillwater, OK www.couger.com/gcouger
Assuming that you are looking for the composite video monitor (video and sync. signals mixed, as in common household TV set- all in single wire, and 75 Ohm input impedance, though security monitor usually has input switch for high and low impedance): your most economical bet will be security hardware vendors. You will find many in your local ph. book. Try also these: www.supercircuits.com or (800)335-9777 ; and www.radioshack.com or (800)291-6515. Both have catalogs online or available by mail. Use monitor with vertical and horizontal hold controls for the best compatibility with your signal source.
Vitaly Feingold Scientific Instruments and Applications 2773 Heath Lane, Duluth GA 30096 (770)232-7785 ph. (770)232-1791 fax
This message is made of 100% recycled electrons. -----Original Message----- } From: L. D. Marks {ldm-at-risc4.numis.nwu.edu} To: Microscopy List {microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com}
Does any one know of the banding problem in the 2 Quadrant solid state Back scatter electron image in JEOL 6335 FESEM? We see vertical bands mixed with the BEI image. The service engineer says that this is because of ground leakage current. We measured the ground potential of 200 mv peak to peak w.r.t the chassis. Although we try to believe that this is because of inefficient sheilding, there could be other reasons too. Request you all to suggest what could be wrong.
Thanks well in advance Prabhakar M
GE India Technology Centre ________________________________________________ M.Prabhakar PSM Group John F. Welch Technology Centre Export Promotion Industrial Park, Phase II Hoodi Village, Whitefield Road Bangalore-560 066, India Tel.No. : 080-8412050-69 Extn. : 2574 Fax. : 080-8412111 E-mail: M.Prabhakar-at-geind.ge.com
As part of the introduction of a quality system in our laboratory I have been asked to write SOP's for the operation of the SEM and X-Ray analysis system. I am not exactly sure what is required for this and wondered if anyone else has been through this process. I would welcome advice as to how much information is required on the actual operation of the equipment and what other information is needed.
Regarding a previous request of mine about "Remote Access to SEM" I would like to thank the people who responded. I had hoped to reply before now but the process is ongoing. I hope to be able to report a successful solution in the near future.
Many Thanks.
Best wishes,
Colin
Colin Reid, Electron Microscope Unit, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.
Tel: 353-1-6081820 Fax: 353-1-6770438 Home Page: http://www2.tcd.ie/Electron_Microscope/emu/home.htm
I was affraid from that information, as I have a dozen from these types of turbo pumps in service in our lab, so I have asked Pfeiffer in France what about this thing. So today the answer is clear : in France they continue to do maintenance on both type. For repear, only rotor and motor for 170 are not avaible, but for 240 all is avable, service and parts. They said it seems to be an "US" problem. Probably, the reprentativ want to sell new pumps... But its seems to be according to the general commercial politic of this manufatcurer in the last years.
Three years ago, I hade a TPU 330 to repear (the dual rotor type, the rotor was in marmalade), and they propose me an exchange with an new 240 for the price of repear. They could repear it, but it didn't pay.
As an other type of pump, I use the Varian V70 and V250.They are very reliable, the controller gives much informations than can be used to drive it carrefully. But as my use is for UHV surface analysis and plasma coating, vibration is not a criterion, and I have some doubt about their level for microscopy. And it is loudy... But I think that Leo use it on the Gemini 1530/50.
We have also a Seiko Seiki magnetic bearing model, whitch sees often air (vacuum evaporator for organic compounds). The pump is reliable, but not the electronic. And you must send both back for repear. The after sale is long (6 month one time), done by Edwards.
It's the same thing with a Pfeiffer TPU520-M ( full dynamic magnetic bearings) on UHV STM. The pump itself is reliable, very good on vibration aspect, the electronic less good. But with this type of pump, we have an other limiation : the vessel is on an air sustended table, and if you knock in the vessel, the pump will act as a gyroscope and make an emergency stop. It doesn't like too much that kind of stop. It would be the same with a SEM. OK, it is not something to do, to knock a STM or a SEM in work !
I have now bought an new Pfeiffer (TMU 261), but it is unpacked today. I'll say something about it in a few month. The controller is not compatible with the former series (TPU/H 110,170,240,260,33,520), and vice versa.
J. Faerber IPCMS-GSI (Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg Groupe Surface et Interfaces) 23, rue de Loess 67037 Strasbourg CEDEX France
Listers, It appears that Pfeiffer(Balzers) Vacuum Company will no longer be supporting its older turbo pumps, like the TPH 170, 240, etc. No parts, no repairs, nothing. I received notification from Pfeiffer that this will be effective Jan. 1, 2002. Of course, they want you to buy their "new" pumps. All of the independent turbo repair shops are scrambling trying to find parts for the pumps they are repairing now, or have commitments to repair in the future. Naturally, the cost of repairs to these pumps has skyrocketed. The attraction of the use of Balzers turbo pumps in electron microscopes was the fact that this pump was in effect "self-balancing", emitting very low mechanical vibrations. Has anyone found any suitable replacement for this pump by another manufacturer? Suitable meaning not only good vibration specs but also reasonable in cost, for purchase and or to repair.
BSE amplifiers typically run at high gains. That makes them susceptible to many kinds of interference. Yes, it could be a grounding problem (one would hope that the manufacturer's service rep could take care of that). It could also be induced through the pre-amplifier and the cabling. Coaxial cables only partially shield their signal wire. If there is anything near the pre-amp or cabling that is capable of producing EMF (including portions of the instrument itself), it will probably be picked up by the system.
Try turning off or moving any ancillary equipment around the SEM. This would include any external vacuum gauges, EDS systems and monitors and any motors (chillers or mechanical pumps). Try re-routing the cabling to the BSE detector and pre-amp. Once the source is identified, you can take steps to minimize the problem.
One question does have to be asked, though. BSE imaging is a method to distinguish between areas of differing atomic number averages. The closer those atomic number differences, the more gain you will use to differentiate them. If you are placing unrealistic expectations on your system by expecting large image contrast from small differences in average atomic numbers, you may well be pushing the capabilities of your system. Can you provide more information regarding the materials you are seeking to image?
On Monday, May 28, 2001 11:26 PM, M, Prabhakar (CORP, GEITC) [SMTP:M.Prabhakar-at-geind.ge.com] wrote: } } } Does any one know of the banding problem in the 2 Quadrant solid state Back } scatter electron image in JEOL 6335 FESEM? } We see vertical bands mixed with the BEI image. The service engineer says } that this is because of ground leakage current. } We measured the ground potential of 200 mv peak to peak w.r.t the chassis. } Although we try to believe that this is because of inefficient sheilding, } there could be other reasons too. Request you all to suggest what could be } wrong. } } Thanks well in advance } Prabhakar M } } GE India Technology Centre } ________________________________________________ } M.Prabhakar } PSM Group } John F. Welch Technology Centre } Export Promotion Industrial Park, Phase II } Hoodi Village, Whitefield Road } Bangalore-560 066, India } Tel.No. : 080-8412050-69 Extn. : 2574 } Fax. : 080-8412111 } E-mail: M.Prabhakar-at-geind.ge.com } }
Allen R. Sampson, Owner Advanced Research Systems 317 North 4th. Street St. Charles, Illinois 60174 voice 630.513.7093 fax 630.513.7092
I believe that everyone on this listserver has already received this request.
On Monday, May 28, 2001 2:54 PM, Caroline Schooley [SMTP:schooley-at-mcn.org] wrote: } } } I've been contacted by a retired biologist who runs a large photo service } for publishers who need images. He says he can use a wide variety of } subjects & he's particularly interested in the newer microscopies - "STEM, } atomic force, molecular probe, fluorescent and confocal, etc." Please } contact him directly if you have some good stuff to share: } } } Photographs utilizing all types of microscopy are solicited for use in } } science textbooks at all levels, children's science books, trade books, field } } guides, aquarium and museum exhibits, TV programs (e.g., NOVA, Discovery } } Channel), and other educational publications. Credit and appropriate payment } } is given for each usage. Contact Dr. John D. Cunningham, VU Research/Visuals } } Unlimited, 46 The Flume, Amherst, NH 03031 for information. Ph: (603) } } 673-4653 Fax: (603) 673-4738 Email: john-at-visualsunlimited. } } Caroline } } Caroline Schooley } Project MICRO Coordinator } Microscopy Society of America } Box 117, 45301 Caspar Point Road } Caspar, CA 95420 } Phone/FAX (707)964-9460 } Project MICRO: http://www.msa.microscopy.com/ProjectMicro/PMHomePage.html } Intertidal invertebrates: http://www.fortbragg.k12.ca.us/AG/marinelab.html } } }
Allen R. Sampson, Owner Advanced Research Systems 317 North 4th. Street St. Charles, Illinois 60174 voice 630.513.7093 fax 630.513.7092
We have the problems with our JEM-4000EX: the tremblihg of the electron beam spot. Short history. The filament in our microscope work more 800 hours. High tension there was stable at 400kV. But the electron beam began to tremble. The beam spot on the screen aperiodic tremble in one direction with frequency from 1 to 20 Hz. Sometimes, fluctuations stop and all there was OK. But with each daytime situation grew worse. In addition increase the beam current : there was 123.9 (400Ë×), became 124.4. At 300kV there was 92.2, became 92.7. We have to change the filament. Here we have clean up of the Wehnelt and first anode as well have changed the silicon grease on insulator. After change the filament made the pumping of the microscope 2 days. Then we made all operation according to instruction "High voltage generation after filament exchange": annealing of the filament at îô=0kV etc. As the HT at 400 kV there was unstable ( the fluctuations of vacuum meter SIP-GUN) we use the N2 glow discharge conditioning at 150kV. Then once again we made the filament annealing at HT=0kV. High tension became stable at 400 kV, but the beam spot on the screen begins aperiodic tremble at 370 kV and above (as before change the filament). The training of HT for 3 days a situation did not perfect. We have opened the gun once again. On insulator and on Wehnelt have not the traces of disruption. The checkup of the filament has shown that crystal LaB6 stand orderly, but fastening its to threads of incandescence (do not know what this alloy) on the one hand flake away. We have changed the filament on new. And have done once again all procedures, described above. The situation did not change, but even grew worse. The beam current increase to 127mA at 400Ë×. The fluctuations of beam spot begin at 350kV. I have the following questions. 1. How to check with than is the trembling of the electron spot : contamination in Gun or Column of the microscope or instability of a electronic circuits? I think that the high tension is stable since in diffraction mode the size of the caustic is stable and not changed. 2. The new filaments are kept in original packaging, but not in vacuum. Time of keeping more than 10 years. Can be the filaments degrade for this time? 3. The electron spot trembling are fixed on the oscilloscope picture in check point CH (HV tank) (In position OPERATE). In position TEST of the ACCEL VOLTAGE switch the oscilloscope picture is stable (direct line). As it is generated HT in position TEST? Looking forward to hear some recommendation which can help us. In Russia we have not regularservice of JEOL Ltd. Thank you very much in advance. I am not currently part of the list, so please mail to me directly. Best regards, Anton Gutakovskii mailto:gut-at-thermo.isp.nsc.ru
Does any one know of the banding problem in the 2 Quadrant solid state Back scatter electron image in JEOL 6335 FESEM? We see vertical bands mixed with the BEI image. The service engineer says that this is because of ground leakage current. We measured the ground potential of 200 mv peak to peak w.r.t the chassis. Although we try to believe that this is because of inefficient sheilding, there could be other reasons too. Request you all to suggest what could be wrong.
Thanks well in advance Prabhakar M
GE India Technology Centre ________________________________________________ M.Prabhakar PSM Group John F. Welch Technology Centre Export Promotion Industrial Park, Phase II Hoodi Village, Whitefield Road Bangalore-560 066, India Tel.No. : 080-8412050-69 Extn. : 2574 Fax. : 080-8412111 E-mail: M.Prabhakar-at-geind.ge.com
I have had the pleasure (cough, cough) of writing SOP's (we call them SLP's in QS9000, ISO equivalent for the automotive industry, for system level procedures). Basically, what you need to do is write a set of procedures that you can live with. The amount of detail is really up to you. If you have experienced people that do not change very much, then they don't have to be very long. If you have a high turnover and people need to be trained frequently, then you can use the SLP as a training aid. They do come in handy when a person does some tasks infrequently such as cleaning wehnelts, changing filaments, or mixing chemicals.
What you will be required to do however is follow the procedures that you write down. If you don't, you can get written up for a non-conformance and that could be job-threatening. The more specific you are, the less "play" you have in using the instruments. Therefore, you should sprinkle in phrases such as "depending on operator experience," "suggested" and "recommended" liberally throughout the document. For example, the following is an excerpt from the section of the details to the procedures for our TEM SLP (it is in boldface and all caps to get the attention.:
Procedures: I: NOT ALL OF THE STEPS LISTED IN THIS PROCEDURE ARE REQUIRED TO BE FOLLOWED. OPERATOR EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING ARE USED TO JUDGE WHICH STEPS ARE APPLICABLE AND IN WHAT ORDER TO BEST APPLY THESE STEPS.
I suggest writing things down that are very specific with respect to service, calibration procedures, and things that you need to do to protect the microscope. These can be done in an outline form. Anything that you do routinely you can put down specifically. Other types of work, you should be more general in what you say so that you don't get pinned down on doing the work in a regimented way. You have to give yourself some flexibility to use the power of the microscope. What you should realize is that you are the expert, -not the examiner. All he/she is going to do is determine whether the paper trail on your work is there and if you follow your procedures. So, CYA!
-Scott
Scott D. Walck, Ph.D. PPG Industries, Inc. Glass Technology Center P. O. Box 11472 (letters) Guys Run Rd. (packages) Pittsburgh, PA 15238-0472
Walck-at-PPG.com
(412) 820-8651 (office) (412) 820-8515 (fax)
-----Original Message----- } From: Colin Reid [mailto:creid-at-tcd.ie] Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2001 1:20 AM To: MSA Listserver
Hi,
As part of the introduction of a quality system in our laboratory I have been asked to write SOP's for the operation of the SEM and X-Ray analysis system. I am not exactly sure what is required for this and wondered if anyone else has been through this process. I would welcome advice as to how much information is required on the actual operation of the equipment and what other information is needed.
Regarding a previous request of mine about "Remote Access to SEM" I would like to thank the people who responded. I had hoped to reply before now but the process is ongoing. I hope to be able to report a successful solution in the near future.
Many Thanks.
Best wishes,
Colin
Colin Reid, Electron Microscope Unit, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.
Tel: 353-1-6081820 Fax: 353-1-6770438 Home Page: http://www2.tcd.ie/Electron_Microscope/emu/home.htm
We have a client who wants to look at how calcium is localized in processed cheese samples. She thinks it may be in the fats and lipids, but that's part of the research question. My question is: does anyone have any knowledge of how to prepare cheese samples for EDS analysis in an SEM?
My inclination would be to do a gluteraldehyde fix and skip the heavy metal post-fixes to avoid overwhelming the Ca signal with Os and UA signals, but then this might leave a lot of lipid content unfixed and susceptible to extraction during dehydration. We don't have an environmental scope, unfortunately.
Any thoughts would be very welcome.
Thanks, Randy
Randy Tindall EM Specialist Electron Microscopy Core Facility W122 Veterinary Medicine University of Missouri Columbia, MO 65211 Tel: (573) 882-8304 Fax: (573) 884-5414 Email: tindallr-at-missouri.edu Web: http://www.biotech.missouri.edu/emc/
Hi, we have a problem with switching on the unit. If you turn the key, it will start, but when you release the key, it stops immediately. The Forepump does not start, we have enough air & water. All fuses check OK. Any ideas? Thank you! Peter Stolzenberg
Several years ago, during preparation of zirconium/zirconium oxide cross section samples for TEM, we observed that the metal sometimes became completely converted to Zr hydride during argon ion micromilling. The hydriding effect in reactive metals such as Zr and Ti during ion milling had been recognized and studied in some depth earlier as described by Carpenter et al. in the J. Micros. Soc. of America, Vol. 1, No. 4 (1995) 175-184. Although their study identified hydrocarbon contamination as the cause, the operating conditions in our case pointed to water vapor in the argon. Ordinary grades of Ar including "prepurified" grade actually have a rather high dewpoint. Among several measures taken to eliminate the hydriding artifact, changing to ultrahigh purity grade had the greatest, immediately evident effect. We also installed inline molecular sieve/charcoal filters in the gas feed system ( most gas suppliers sell these filters for removing specific contaminants) and made it standard practice to use an LN2 cold trap in the ion mill. Cooling the sample also would have been preferable, but the ion mill we were using did not allow this.
Larry Thomas
Larry Thomas Pacific Northwest National Laboratory MSIN P8-16 P.O. Box 999 Richland, WA 99352 Phone: (509)372-0793 Fax: (509)376-6308 Email: mailto:Larry.Thomas-at-pnl.gov
} } I use cheap, industrial grade Argon which is run through } } a Millipore molecular sieve. The sieve lasts for years. } } The cylinder of Ar costs about $20 and also lasts for years. } } The sieve assembly cost about $300. Virtually a one time } } expense. } } } } I do the same for N2. I use industrial grade N2 ($20 per cylinder } } rather than 9.8 N2 ($90 per cylinder). After two years, the N2 } } sieve is unchanged. } } } } Dr Ritchie Sims Phone : 64 9 3737599 ext 7713 } Department of Geology Fax : 64 9 3737435 } The University of Auckland email : r.sims-at-auckland.ac.nz } Private Bag 92019 } Auckland } New Zealand
First place I look is: Hayat, M.A.(1989), Principles and Techniques of Electron Microscopy Biological Applications (3rd Ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, USA (ISBN: 0-8493-7111-2).pp285-289
Second is: Hayat, M.A.(1993), Stains and Cytochemical Methods, Plenum Press, NY, NY, USA, (ISBN: 0-306-44294-9), pp305-318. (mention of cultured cells), chemistry and (inter)actions.
Frederick C. Monson, PhD West Chester University of Pennsylvania Center for Advanced Scientific Imaging (CASI) Schmucker II Science Center (Room: SS024(Basement)) South Church Street West Chester, PA, 19383 MailDrop: Department of Geology/Astronomy Phone: 610-738-0437 Fax: 610-436-3036 email: fmonson-at-wcupa.edu Please call before visiting.
} ---------- } From: Palatsides, Manuela } Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2001 6:56 PM } To: microscopy list } Subject: TEM: Ruthenium Red } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } Hi } I looking for a method for the staining of cell culture cells with } ruthenium } red for TEM. If have a method that works really well, I would appreciate } a } copy. } Many thanks } Manuela Palatsides } Electron Microscopy } Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute } Locked Bag#1 } A'Beckett Street } Melbourne 3000 } } Telephone: 03 96561244 } Fax: 03 96561411 } Email: m.palatsides-at-pmci.unimelb.edu.au } } } } } }
The best SOP's you are likely to find are those prepared by SEM'ers involved with Forensic analysis. This is a quick and dirty suggestion, however, and is not intended to exclude any others who have confronted the issue in their labs. Quality control in industry also likely requires rigorous SOP's, and I am sure their are others. The Forensic folks talk to one another, and they can be easily approached on the NET.
State of Virginia, USA, Forensic Science Lab might be a possibility. http://www.dfs.state.va.us/
I searched GOOGLE for "Standard Operating Procedures SEM EDS and found among the many the following. http://www.plu.edu/~benhamsr/page20.html - probably what your leader would like as a start.
Hope this helps,
Fred
Frederick C. Monson, PhD West Chester University of Pennsylvania Center for Advanced Scientific Imaging (CASI) Schmucker II Science Center (Room: SS024(Basement)) South Church Street West Chester, PA, 19383 MailDrop: Department of Geology/Astronomy Phone: 610-738-0437 Fax: 610-436-3036 email: fmonson-at-wcupa.edu Please call before visiting.
} ---------- } From: Colin Reid } Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2001 1:19 AM } To: MSA Listserver } Subject: Writing SOP's for SEM/X-Ray Analysis } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Hi, } } As part of the introduction of a quality system in our laboratory I have } been asked to write SOP's for the operation of the SEM and X-Ray analysis } system. I am not exactly sure what is required for this and wondered if } anyone else has been through this process. I would welcome advice as to } how much information is required on the actual operation of the equipment } and what other information is needed. } } Regarding a previous request of mine about "Remote Access to SEM" I would } like to thank the people who responded. I had hoped to reply before now } but the process is ongoing. I hope to be able to report a successful } solution in the near future. } } Many Thanks. } } Best wishes, } } Colin } } Colin Reid, } Electron Microscope Unit, } Trinity College Dublin, } Dublin 2. } } Tel: 353-1-6081820 } Fax: 353-1-6770438 } Home Page: http://www2.tcd.ie/Electron_Microscope/emu/home.htm } } }
Here is a TEM prep that I use on confluent cell monolayers to demonstrate the integrity of tight junctions.
30 minute fix in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M Sorensen's buffer, pH 7.4 and containing 0.1 % ruthenium red.
Two 3 minute rinses in 0.1 M Sorensen's buffer
Post fix for 15 minutes in 1 % osmium in Sorensen's buffer containing 1 % ruthenium red.
Two 3 minute rinses in buffer.
Quick rinse in ddH20 to remove salts.
en block stain for 15 minutes in aqueous 3 % uranyl acetate.
Dehydrate 3 minutes each in 50, 70, 90, and one change of 100 % EtOH.
Infiltrate with 3:1, 1:1, 1:3 EtOH:Epon for 20 minutes each.
Change to full strength epon for 1 hour.
Change to new full strength epon for 1 hour.
Polymerize
I hope this helps.
Dotty Sorenson Microscopy and Image Analysis Laboratory Department of Cell and Developmental Biology University of Michigan Medical School Ann Arbor, Michigan (734)763-1170 FAX (734)763-1166 dsoren-at-umich.edu
On Mon, 28 May 2001, Palatsides, Manuela wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } Hi } I looking for a method for the staining of cell culture cells with ruthenium } red for TEM. If have a method that works really well, I would appreciate a } copy. } Many thanks } Manuela Palatsides } Electron Microscopy } Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute } Locked Bag#1 } A'Beckett Street } Melbourne 3000 } } Telephone: 03 96561244 } Fax: 03 96561411 } Email: m.palatsides-at-pmci.unimelb.edu.au } } } } }
Look at the magnetic sensor on the flywheel of your Roughing Pump. The positioning of this unit is quit sensitive. Good luck.
Alex Greene SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTATION SERVICES, INC. PMB-499, 1807 West Slaughter Lane, Number 200 Austin, Texas 78748-6200 Phone 512/282-5507 FAX 512/280-0702
Sustaining Member - MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA
----- Original Message ----- } From: {"Katjaalex-at-aol.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} To: {microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2001 10:41 AM
Hi Mark,
Yes you are correct. In my mind if you are coating for SEM when you will be running at magnifications of 15,000X upwards you will have almost certainly have hidden or destroyed the specimen with a coating that looks gold!
The heat that you report is understandable with long coating times I believe it is fairly easy to understand.
1. We irradiate a target with argon (or air) gas molecules. 2. This heats up the surface as well as causing it to be sputtered, as well as "polishing" the surface. 3. A polished hot surface will radiate heat - what sit opposite to this target but your (now) hot specimens!
I have always argued that for an operator to fully understand a sputter coating unit it takes about an hour of useful tests.
1. Work at a 5cm target to specimen distance. 2. Cover the base plate with a piece of photocopy paper (will contain gas and possible moisture just like a specimen) place a small weight (an SEM stub is ideal) on the paper to stop it blowing away. 3. Coat for several minutes at 20mA with a high voltage coater (1kV to 3kV with a variac type control) or for a minute with a low voltage coater at 10mA ( has a deposition control not a kV control). 4. Look at the paper to see the coating distribution - almost certainly there will be good and poor areas - note the position of the good areas. Also note how round the stub the coating is not so good, this is typical of areas around a specimen, they will affect the coating. 5. Using a similar piece of paper coat for multiples of 30 seconds on fresh pieces of paper, for up to 3 minutes. Using the criteria set out above for current and distance. 6 For typical SEM operations look for the coating that is the first grey color that you obtain the colors will be - pink - light blue - darker blue - grey - darker grey with gold tinges and eventually gold. 7. Place two small nuts (as in nuts and bolts) on copy paper on top of each other, to create a hole about 1/4 inch high by 1/8th inch wide. 8. Run your coater and try every route at your disposal to get gold or your preferred metal down the hole.
Once you have found out alI these answers I think you will know a great deal more about your coater. You should now know -
a) What I call the target spots in your system, the positions for the highest coating efficiency. b) The coating criteria for a reasonable coat and minimum metal structure. c) The procedure for really difficult specimens with "tooth brush type" structures. {Have you tried this one, its a bit of a surprise to find that you cut off the gas and run at the best possible vacuum - think why?}
Never expect a sputter coating alone to overcome charging, if as an operator you insist on using 15kV plus on difficult to coat specimens expect trouble. To help think about tilting towards the Everhart-Thornley detector to increase the BSE contribution to the image as BSE are not troubled by the charge. With very complex specimens coat with the sample tilted 45 degs in one direction then 45 in the other then use the "hole" technique as described above to drive the metal into deeper areas. But as I always say we are as electron microscopists "scientists" and scientists should experiment :-)
Hope this helps, have fun!
Steve Chapman Senior Consultant Protrain For professional training wide wide in SEM, TEM and EDX www.emcourses.com
When in the past I have looked at calcium/phosphorus distribution in cheese it has been on frozen samples, using a Hexland (now Gatan) cryo-stage on our SEM. Providing the fracture plane was OK, this worked generally well and we achieved some quite interesting digital maps.
"Tindall, Randy D." {TindallR-at-missouri.edu} on 29/05/2001 15:35:27
To: "'microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com'" {microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} cc:
Hi Listers,
We have a client who wants to look at how calcium is localized in processed cheese samples. She thinks it may be in the fats and lipids, but that's part of the research question. My question is: does anyone have any knowledge of how to prepare cheese samples for EDS analysis in an SEM?
My inclination would be to do a gluteraldehyde fix and skip the heavy metal post-fixes to avoid overwhelming the Ca signal with Os and UA signals, but then this might leave a lot of lipid content unfixed and susceptible to extraction during dehydration. We don't have an environmental scope, unfortunately.
Any thoughts would be very welcome.
Thanks, Randy
Randy Tindall EM Specialist Electron Microscopy Core Facility W122 Veterinary Medicine University of Missouri Columbia, MO 65211 Tel: (573) 882-8304 Fax: (573) 884-5414 Email: tindallr-at-missouri.edu Web: http://www.biotech.missouri.edu/emc/
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I think this is a job for Low-temperature SEM. Any attempt to do a chemical fix risks extraction of soluble ions from the aqueous phase of the cheese. Chris
} Hi Listers, } } We have a client who wants to look at how calcium is localized in processed } cheese samples. She thinks it may be in the fats and lipids, but that's } part of the research question. My question is: does anyone have any } knowledge of how to prepare cheese samples for EDS analysis in an SEM? } } My inclination would be to do a gluteraldehyde fix and skip the heavy metal } post-fixes to avoid overwhelming the Ca signal with Os and UA signals, but } then this might leave a lot of lipid content unfixed and susceptible to } extraction during dehydration. We don't have an environmental scope, } unfortunately. } } Any thoughts would be very welcome. } } Thanks, } Randy } } Randy Tindall } EM Specialist } Electron Microscopy Core Facility } W122 Veterinary Medicine } University of Missouri } Columbia, MO 65211 } Tel: (573) 882-8304 } Fax: (573) 884-5414 } Email: tindallr-at-missouri.edu } Web: http://www.biotech.missouri.edu/emc/ } } } }
To All, Sorry about the post, It was meant to be private. Tom Thomas Moninger (thomas-moninger-at-uiowa.edu) University of Iowa Central Microscopy Research Facility View expressed are my own.
Your question about 3D reconstruction based on 2D sections was forwarded to my desk by an associate who is a member of your group.
There are many reconstruction packages on the market. One of the ones I am aware of is the VoxBlast by VayTek (http://www.vaytek.com/VoxBlast.html).
Another I have seen is called SpyGlass but I do not have a URL reference for that one.
Best of luck.
Matt
Matthew M. Batchelor Applications Engineer ------------------------------------ Meyer Instruments, Inc. 1304 Langham Creek, Suite 235 Houston, TX 77084 Video Microscopy Imaging Specialists P - 281-579-0342, F - 281-579-1551 E-Mail = mmb-at-meyerinst.com Home Page = http://www.meyerinst.com/
If the banding is very regular, I'd be inclined to think its an electronic problem. If its irregular, then I suspect a charging effect - is your specimen well grounded? Try the BEI with just a blank mount. Cheers Jim Darley ProSciTech Microscopy PLUS PO Box 111, Thuringowa QLD 4817 Australia Ph +61 7 4774 0370 Fax:+61 7 4789 2313 service-at-proscitech.com Great microscopy catalogue, 500 Links, MSDS, User Notes ABN: 99 724 136 560 www.proscitech.com
On Tuesday, May 29, 2001 11:19 PM, M, Prabhakar (CORP, GEITC) [SMTP:M.Prabhakar-at-geind.ge.com] wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } Does any one know of the banding problem in the 2 Quadrant solid state Back } scatter electron image in JEOL 6335 FESEM? } We see vertical bands mixed with the BEI image. The service engineer says } that this is because of ground leakage current. } We measured the ground potential of 200 mv peak to peak w.r.t the chassis. } Although we try to believe that this is because of inefficient sheilding, } there could be other reasons too. Request you all to suggest what could be } wrong. } } Thanks well in advance } Prabhakar M } } GE India Technology Centre } ________________________________________________ } M.Prabhakar } PSM Group } John F. Welch Technology Centre } Export Promotion Industrial Park, Phase II } Hoodi Village, Whitefield Road } Bangalore-560 066, India } Tel.No. : 080-8412050-69 Extn. : 2574 } Fax. : 080-8412111 } E-mail: M.Prabhakar-at-geind.ge.com
Dear LISTERS-FRIENDS, Thank your very much to everyone for your kind replies on my problems with electron miocroscope JEM-4000EX.I hope that your recommendations will be use to us. Please find enclosed more details about our problems with JEM- 4000EX. I check the stability îô by oscilloscope in óî at îô=280kV ( the filament is off). The oscillogram is direct line, i.e. HT is stable. Then I raise îô to 300kV. At first HT=300kV is stable. The beam current is 93.5 mkA. In 3-5 min the beam current increase to 94.2 mkA and a saw-tooth pulses appear on oscilloscope picture. The amplitude of the pulse is ~0.2V, time length is about 5 mS and on-off time ratio is 25-40 mS. When I reduce the îô to 280kV the saw-tooth pulses present at oscilloscope picture already 20-30 min, but afterwards disappear and îô becomes stable. When I raise HT to 300kV again then the situation is repeated. The vacuum in GUN is 1.2x10-5Pa. The fluctuation of the vacuum meter is half partition of the meter skale. Previously vacuum was 6-7x10-6Pa. Have You some new ideas on this cause? Thank you very much in advance. Best regards Anton mailto:gut-at-thermo.isp.nsc.ru
Hi all, I am writing to ask for advise and assistance in locating sources of used equipment. I am starting a new position in the Fall at a smallish undergrad campus in the U of Wisconsin system and am trying to setup a basic microscopy center for both teaching and research. My funds are very limited but I really need certain items, particularly a cryostat. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!! Please contact me directly at my current address, lyden.11-at-osu.edu. Thanks in advance.
Tim Lyden, Ph.D. Research Scientist Heart and Lung Institute Ohio State University
I have experienced banding on BSE imaging in the past. It is almost always caused by 50 (or 60) Hz interference from the electrical mains due to inadequate earthing of cable shielding. Whether the problem is due to mains frequency pickup can be seen by running at different scan rates - the bands on the image should become narrower with slower scan rates.
David Vowles Electron Microscope Unit Dept of Materials Science and Metallurgy University of Cambridge Pembroke St Cambridge UK CB2 3QZ Tel: +44 1223 334325 Fax: +44 1223 334567 Email: djv23-at-cam.ac.uk
} } On Tuesday, May 29, 2001 11:19 PM, M, Prabhakar (CORP, GEITC) } [SMTP:M.Prabhakar-at-geind.ge.com] wrote: } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } } } } Does any one know of the banding problem in the 2 Quadrant solid state Back } } scatter electron image in JEOL 6335 FESEM? } } We see vertical bands mixed with the BEI image. The service engineer says } } that this is because of ground leakage current. } } We measured the ground potential of 200 mv peak to peak w.r.t the chassis. } } Although we try to believe that this is because of inefficient sheilding, } } there could be other reasons too. Request you all to suggest what could be } } wrong. } } } } Thanks well in advance } } Prabhakar M } } } } GE India Technology Centre } } ________________________________________________ } } M.Prabhakar } } PSM Group } } John F. Welch Technology Centre } } Export Promotion Industrial Park, Phase II } } Hoodi Village, Whitefield Road } } Bangalore-560 066, India } } Tel.No. : 080-8412050-69 Extn. : 2574 } } Fax. : 080-8412111 } } E-mail: M.Prabhakar-at-geind.ge.com }
Colin: In line with Scott's comments, (having had to do this same thing when moving from academia to industry), the basic thing is to use the KISS principle (i.e. keep it simple s----). We have used the approach to refer to the equipment manual(s) as much as possible for actual instrument functions. The major things expected in our SOPs (for the FDA) are: equipment log (user, date, sample IDs, etc); equipment maintenance procedures (routine, emergency, repair, etc, including chain of command, notification--ie out of service posting--, signature of service personnel, and so on). Calibration (standards, maintenance, frequency, ...) is also another biggie. Above all, make it something you can live with, something that is not too detailed and, most importantly, useful.
Roger On Tue, 29 May 2001 06:19:55 +0100, Colin Reid wrote:
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America | To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com | On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html | -----------------------------------------------------------------------. | | | Hi, | | As part of the introduction of a quality system in our laboratory I have | been asked to write SOP's for the operation of the SEM and X-Ray analysis | system. I am not exactly sure what is required for this and wondered if | anyone else has been through this process. I would welcome advice as to | how much information is required on the actual operation of the equipment | and what other information is needed. | | Regarding a previous request of mine about "Remote Access to SEM" I would | like to thank the people who responded. I had hoped to reply before now | but the process is ongoing. I hope to be able to report a successful | solution in the near future. | | Many Thanks. | | Best wishes, | | Colin | | Colin Reid, | Electron Microscope Unit, | Trinity College Dublin, | Dublin 2. | | Tel: 353-1-6081820 | Fax: 353-1-6770438 | Home Page: http://www2.tcd.ie/Electron_Microscope/emu/home.htm | |
Roger Moretz, Ph.D. Dept of Toxicology Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 900 Rigdebury Road Ridgefield, CT 06877 203-798-5448
_______________________________________________________ Send a cool gift with your E-Card http://www.bluemountain.com/giftcenter/
Manuela: Good responses from Fred and Dorothy. The Hayat references are certainly more accessible than the original papers by John Luft. The work by Luft, however, demonstrated the need for a very good source of ruthenium red (available from most EM supply houses nowadays). While not a terribly fussy procedure, use of a poorly defined RR will give variable results. I wish you the best. Roger On Mon, 28 May 2001 08:56:49 +1000, Palatsides, Manuela wrote:
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America | To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com | On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html | -----------------------------------------------------------------------. | | | | Hi | I looking for a method for the staining of cell culture cells with ruthenium | red for TEM. If have a method that works really well, I would appreciate a | copy. | Many thanks | Manuela Palatsides | Electron Microscopy | Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute | Locked Bag#1 | A'Beckett Street | Melbourne 3000 | | Telephone: 03 96561244 | Fax: 03 96561411 | Email: m.palatsides-at-pmci.unimelb.edu.au | | | | |
Roger Moretz, Ph.D. Dept of Toxicology Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 900 Rigdebury Road Ridgefield, CT 06877 203-798-5448
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I sent a response directly to the original sender of this message, but received a "not a subscriber" error message in return. If I get a viable address, I'll resend. Roger On Mon, 28 May 2001 09:36:55 -0500, megaprpf-at-juno.com wrote:
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America | To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com | On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html | -----------------------------------------------------------------------. | | | Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by | (megaprpf-at-juno.com) from | http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Monday, May | 28, 2001 at 03:31:58 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Email: megaprpf-at-juno.com | Name: Robert Bauman | | Organization: Amarillo College | | Education: Undergraduate College | | Location: City, State, Country | | Question: How long does one leave TEM polymer in a oven to harden it | enough so that it can be sectioned on an ultramicrotome? | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Roger Moretz, Ph.D. Dept of Toxicology Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 900 Rigdebury Road Ridgefield, CT 06877 203-798-5448
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Hello, I work in the Central Imaging Facility at the University of Vermont. WE have had a request to look for bacteria on Tygon tubing using the SEM. THe request came from a dentist. I was wondering if you could lend some insight as to how we might go about doing this or if you know of someone that might be able to help. Thank you Nicole
The origin can be magnetic, also, I had a similar problem with my JEOL 840, which uses an external BSE preamp that sits on the table beside the column. Maybe your model does, too.
I have also an optical microscope, whose lamp was being powered by a small transformer, with mutiple taps on the secondary, which was within 6" or so from the BSE preamp.
I had discounted this as the cause, because the transformer was always switched to "off" whenever a BSE image was being collected, so, I thought, no magnetic field.
However, relocating the transformer eliminated the banding. I guess there was sufficient magnetic field radiated from the transformer even when there was no current being drawn from the secondary.
So check that there are no AC-current-carrying leads nearby.
cheers
rtch
} } Does any one know of the banding problem in the 2 Quadrant solid } state Back scatter electron image in JEOL 6335 FESEM? We see } vertical bands mixed with the BEI image. The service engineer } says that this is because of ground leakage current. We measured the } ground potential of 200 mv peak to peak w.r.t the chassis. Although } we try to believe that this is because of inefficient sheilding, } there could be other reasons too. Request you all to suggest what } could be wrong. }
Dr Ritchie Sims Phone : 64 9 3737599 ext 7713 Department of Geology Fax : 64 9 3737435 The University of Auckland email : r.sims-at-auckland.ac.nz Private Bag 92019 Auckland New Zealand
I have a paper I could send you that may be of interest. It is titled "High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy of Milk Products: A New Sample Preparation Procedure" by McManus, McMahon and Oberg. Food Structure, Volume 12 (1993) pp 475-482. The "new" part may not be so relevant as the paper is from 1993.
Some of the materials they worked with were mozzarella, swiss and cream cheeses. This really isn't my area of expertise, but I have the paper here because they used our Ion Beam Sputtering system as part of the process. If you would like a copy, I will be pleased to send it over to you.
Best regards-
David
"Tindall, Randy D." wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Hi Listers, } } We have a client who wants to look at how calcium is localized in processed } cheese samples. She thinks it may be in the fats and lipids, but that's } part of the research question. My question is: does anyone have any } knowledge of how to prepare cheese samples for EDS analysis in an SEM? } } My inclination would be to do a gluteraldehyde fix and skip the heavy metal } post-fixes to avoid overwhelming the Ca signal with Os and UA signals, but } then this might leave a lot of lipid content unfixed and susceptible to } extraction during dehydration. We don't have an environmental scope, } unfortunately. } } Any thoughts would be very welcome. } } Thanks, } Randy } } Randy Tindall } EM Specialist } Electron Microscopy Core Facility } W122 Veterinary Medicine } University of Missouri } Columbia, MO 65211 } Tel: (573) 882-8304 } Fax: (573) 884-5414 } Email: tindallr-at-missouri.edu } Web: http://www.biotech.missouri.edu/emc/
-- David Henriks TEL: +1-949-492-2600 South Bay Technology, Inc. FAX: +1-949-492-1499 1120 Via Callejon San Clemente, CA 92673 USA e-mail: henriks-at-southbaytech.com
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ Gordon Ante Vrdoljak Electron Microscope Lab ICQ 23243541 http://nature.berkeley.edu/~gvrdolja 26 Giannini Hall gvrdolja-at-nature.berkeley.edu UC Berkeley phone (510) 642-2085 Berkeley CA 94720-3330 fax (510) 643-6207 cell (510) 290-6793
On Sat, 26 May 2001, Gary Gaugler wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Retail boxed Linux (Redhat, for example) is not free. It is about } the same price as Win2K. } } The main problem is as you point out--application programs. While } many are available for Wintel, there are few for Linux. Being an } open system, Linux depends on having source code so one can } compile the app for the specific Linux platform. This is unlikely to } happen for industrial strength apps. They do not supply source code. } And most probably, they do not support Linux. } } Nevertheless, Linux with X-windows on a P-III/733 or 933 is really awesome! } } gary g. } } } At 08:33 PM 5/21/2001, you wrote: } } } I would agree that familiarity with the operating environment is important } } for timely performance of server administration tasks-documentation and } } advocacy groups exist for both platforms, however. It might be worth while } } to become familiar with a UNIX like operating system (such as Linux) if one } } has the luxury of time (I'll explain momentarily). Cost may be an } } issue-Linux is free. Both OSes run on the x86 architecture. } } It seems that your choice(s) of application software should be a } } heavywieght factor in your decision. At the risk of over-simplification } } I'll just say that most proprietary "out of the box" solutions are developed } } for Windows/NT. There is a huge installed base of Wintel machines, and } } there are powerful software development tools for this platform which allow } } software developers to develop large complicated programs very rapidly. } } Linux has the advantage that many programs written to run under the } } various flavors of UNIX will compile and run. Many cutting edge scientific } } applications, including image processing utilities, are developed by } } researchers who are experienced coders and prefer to work under the UNIX } } platform. The reason for this is partially historical-in the past only large } } UNIX mainframe servers had the horsepower for image manipulation. More } } often than not these software tools are available free of charge to fellow } } researchers and are provided as open-source (one can view and modify the } } original code to suit specialized situations). } } So it really boils down to an ease of use vs. scalability/extensibility } } issue with cost, and perhaps minor hardware decisions (sometimes peripherals } } are difficult to configure under Linux ie. video cards, scanners etc...). } } In the long run, however, time spent now learning to work with Linux may pay } } off: the heart of the OS (the kernel) evolves continually in response to } } the needs of users, and the kernel can be upgraded without disrupting other } } parameters of the OS. Also, Linux runs on most (if not by now all)commonly } } encountered chip architectures so one may have several different kinds of } } machine (PC, Mac, SUN) all running the same operating system. } } } } Karl Garsha } } www.uwm.edu/~keg } } ----- Original Message ----- } } } From: "Chao-Ying Ni" {cni-at-udel.edu} } } To: {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} } } Sent: Friday, May 18, 2001 9:36 AM } } Subject: EM Lab Server OS: Linux or Windows 2000? } } } } } } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } } } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } } } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } } } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } } } } } Dear colleagues, } } } } } } I'm going to build an EM lab server to run web and other applications, } } } to share files, especially to have an interactive wed scheduling software } } } to schedule and monitor usage of our 2 TEMs and 2 SEMs. Right now I have } } } narrow down the platform to Linux and Windows 2000. Could you please give } } } me some inputs concerning the pros and cons of these two operating } } } systems? Any comments and suggestions on the hardware selection are also } } } more than welcome. Thanks in advance! } } } } } } Chaoying Ni } } } Electron Microscopy Lab } } } Dept. of Materials sci. and Eng. } } } University of Delaware } } } Newark, DE 19716 } } } cni-at-udel.edu } } } } } } } } } } } } } }
The best way would probably be with the use of a cryo stage on your SEM. The process will preserve your samples in their most natural state. In fact, Polaron uses a photo micrograph of cheese in some of its cryo marketing materials.
We are the U.S. distributors for The Polaron Range, including their cryo stage. Cryo systems are also available from other manufacturers such as Gatan (formerly the Oxford System), Bal-Tec and Emmitech, to name a few.
I hope this helps.
Michael R. Nesta General Manager Energy Beam Sciences, Inc. Agawam, MA USA Tel: (413) 786-9322 "Adding Brilliance to Your Vision"
-----Original Message----- } From: Chris Jeffree [mailto:c.jeffree-at-ed.ac.uk] Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2001 5:57 PM To: Tindall, Randy D. Cc: microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
I think this is a job for Low-temperature SEM. Any attempt to do a chemical fix risks extraction of soluble ions from the aqueous phase of the cheese. Chris
} Hi Listers, } } We have a client who wants to look at how calcium is localized in processed } cheese samples. She thinks it may be in the fats and lipids, but that's } part of the research question. My question is: does anyone have any } knowledge of how to prepare cheese samples for EDS analysis in an SEM? } } My inclination would be to do a gluteraldehyde fix and skip the heavy metal } post-fixes to avoid overwhelming the Ca signal with Os and UA signals, but } then this might leave a lot of lipid content unfixed and susceptible to } extraction during dehydration. We don't have an environmental scope, } unfortunately. } } Any thoughts would be very welcome. } } Thanks, } Randy } } Randy Tindall } EM Specialist } Electron Microscopy Core Facility } W122 Veterinary Medicine } University of Missouri } Columbia, MO 65211 } Tel: (573) 882-8304 } Fax: (573) 884-5414 } Email: tindallr-at-missouri.edu } Web: http://www.biotech.missouri.edu/emc/ } } } }
I would agree with Scott's reply, make sure that you can live with the SOP that you write. We are in the process of writing an operation SOP for our SEM. We started with the operation manual and had an experienced user write our SOP. We then had everyone in our department review the SOP. Some of the non-users had some good suggestions for improvement. Finally, we had a new user who was learning the SEM use the SOP and make suggestions. This sounds like a lot of work, but after all that input we think we have a document that we can work with and that will help us train future users. We did include some statements that allowed for use of scientific judgement, but kept these to a minimum.
Good Luck,
Joe Neilly Abbott Laboratories D-45M, AP31 200 Abbott Park Rd. Abbott Park, IL 60064-6202 voice: (847)-938-5024 fax: (847)-938-5027 e-mail: joe.neilly-at-abbott.com
"Colin Reid" {creid-at-tcd.ie To: "MSA Listserver" {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} } cc: Subject: Writing SOP's for SEM/X-Ray Analysis 05/29/01 12:19 AM
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Hi,
As part of the introduction of a quality system in our laboratory I have been asked to write SOP's for the operation of the SEM and X-Ray analysis system. I am not exactly sure what is required for this and wondered if anyone else has been through this process. I would welcome advice as to how much information is required on the actual operation of the equipment and what other information is needed.
Regarding a previous request of mine about "Remote Access to SEM" I would like to thank the people who responded. I had hoped to reply before now but the process is ongoing. I hope to be able to report a successful solution in the near future.
Many Thanks.
Best wishes,
Colin
Colin Reid, Electron Microscope Unit, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.
Tel: 353-1-6081820 Fax: 353-1-6770438 Home Page: http://www2.tcd.ie/Electron_Microscope/emu/home.htm
Call Belair at 1-800-783-9424 they sell refurbished cryostats.
Diane Miller Consultant Service 503-627-0130
----- Original Message ----- } From: "Tim Lyden" {lyden.11-at-osu.edu} To: {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2001 2:31 AM
We are using a quite new FEI XL-30 LaB6 SEM. It's a long time the we are trying to understand the normal working conditions of the vacuum system. Looking at what is written in the operating manual, our vacuum system is not able to work in safety conditions for the Lab6 filament ( { 2x10-7 mbar ). To do this we need to bakeout the gun frequently ( weekly )and are able to work in that safety ( { 2x10-7 )condition only for few hours. FEI says that the info on the manual are too restrictive (!!) and that we can work safetly with vacuum levels {6 x10-7 baking out every two weeks.
Any thoughts would be very welcome. Thank you very much in advance.
Best regards P.L. Fabbri
--------------------------------------------- Dr. Pier Luigi Fabbri C.I.G.S. - Centro Interdip. Grandi Strumenti Universitŕ di Modena via Campi 213/A - 41100 Modena, Italy Tel +39-059-2055231 / +39-059-370551 Fax +39-059-370551 E-mail: fabbri-at-mail.cigs.unimo.it ---------------------------------------------
Dear colleagues, I am trying to do ultrathin sectioning work of ZnO crystals, which size is about 2-3microns(L) and 1-2microns(W). I am really a freshman on TEM, so I hope to get help on this work. Any suggestions for the choosing of embedding media and following procedures will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Dujin Wang Max-Planck-Institute for Polymer Research Ackermannweg 10, Mainz D-55128 Germany
I am working in small particle contacting with TEM and I am interested in interpreting the contacting boundary structure using Bollmman's geometric model.
Can you offer me any information about the computerised way or software which can graphically show the CSL misroientation solution of grain boundary dislocation structures for cubic structure by methods based on that of Bollmann.
Thank you,
Yiming ---------------------------------
Yiming Yao
Microscopy and Microanalysis Experimental Physics Chalmers University of Technology SE-41296, Göteborg Sweden
I take it from your message that the manual for the vacuum system is independent of the manual for the XL-30. I think I would tend to believe FEI. We operate our LaB6 routinely at 1 x 10-6.6 to 1 x 10-6.8 mbar. Our slightly poorer vacuum probably does result in somewhat shortened LaB6 life, but it's the best vacuum our aging ion pump can manage, and we rarely have "down" time because of vacuum problems. In a perfect vacuum, of course, the LaB6 filament would last a very, very long time, (theoretically); and the poorer the vacuum, the shorter the filament life. But I think in this case FEI is right - your vacuum system manual may be "too restrictive" for real-world operation. I would consider 6 x 10-7 an admirable vacuum, at least in our instrument. And, of course, FEI will be happy to sell you a new LaB6 when you need one ;-). If your new XL-30 is able to do its own "bake-out" routinely, then by all means use this function as often as you feel is necessary. And do keep an eye on the state of the vacuum - you may notice changes for the better or worse as time goes on. Good luck.
F.C. Thomas Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic) Bedford Institute of Oceanography Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Canada
----- Original Message ----- } From: "FABBRI" {fabbri-at-cigssrv1.unimo.it} To: {microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2001 4:55 AM
At the US Department of Energy Albany Research Center we review our SOPs annually so that changes and suggestions can be documented and included. I tell people that if they see needed changes and suggestions for the SOPS let me know so these can be incorporated. Everyone who operates our SEMs must read and sign the SOP for that equipment.
It is my opinion that an SOP does not replace the manufacture's operator and service manuals, software online help and operators training. But I also realize that some management want very detailed SOPS so I am thankful for scanners and word processors.
} Hi all, I am writing to ask for advise and assistance in } locating sources of used equipment...
} My funds are very limited...
Tim,
I am very much in the same boat. I am setting up an SEM lab out of my own pocket - no funding from a university, corporation, or government. I have had good success by constantly checking the auction sites www.labx.com and www.ebay.com. Also, Duniway Stockroom of Mountain View, CA (www.duniway.com 800-446-8811) stocks a lot of supplies that you may need at very reasonable prices.
The most important thing about the auction sites is patience. It takes a while for some items to come up, but over the past six months, I have seen two sputter coating units, lots of vacuum pumps, a critical point dryer, lots of ultrasonic cleaners, and zillions of light microscopes. Plenty of other stuff, too. I'm pretty sure that I've seen a cryostat, but since I wasn't looking for one, I didn't pay any attention to it.
If you are patient and persistent, my experience indicates that you can buy things at about 10 to 20 per cent of the original price. I am currently sitting at my desk looking at a Polaron critical point dryer that just arrived this morning. I bought it for $100. I am awaiting the arrival of a Polaron sputter coater that I bought for $465. I bought a Varian ionization gauge controller for $165 and the gauge tube (also Varian) for $35. I bought the cable to connect the two from Duniway Stockroom for $89. Varian wanted $190. The electron microscope itself came from none other than your new employer, the University of Wisconsin, at no cost other than truck rental and fuel.
The usual auction site disclaimers apply - Make sure that you know exactly what you are bidding on - get model numbers and check the specs. Find out whether or not the unit is known good, might be good, is good for parts only, etc. Be willing to let go of an item if the bidding gets too high - another item of the same type will eventually appear. Don't let you emotions get the better of you. Set your budget limit and stick to it. Read the auction rules. eBay and LabX operate differently. On eBay, they use proxy bidding so that you don't have to watch the bidding so closely, but someone can steal an item from you at the last second. LabX works more like a real auction where you have to monitor the bidding closer, but if someone dumps in a bid at the last second, the auction is extended for a period of two minutes to allow you time to respond.
Good luck. The search can be fun, if a little frustrating at times. I wish you well in your new position.
Since the SEM is new, it should be still on warranty. However, get FEI representative's advice in writing on company letterhead to protect yourself. If you think the XL30 is not performing to specifications, call them in to find out why it isn't.
Greg Lum Lab Manager EM Facility San Francisco State University
---------- Forwarded message ----------
We are using a quite new FEI XL-30 LaB6 SEM. It's a long time the we are trying to understand the normal working conditions of the vacuum system. Looking at what is written in the operating manual, our vacuum system is not able to work in safety conditions for the Lab6 filament ( { 2x10-7 mbar ). To do this we need to bakeout the gun frequently ( weekly )and are able to work in that safety ( { 2x10-7 )condition only for few hours. FEI says that the info on the manual are too restrictive (!!) and that we can work safetly with vacuum levels {6 x10-7 baking out every two weeks.
Any thoughts would be very welcome. Thank you very much in advance.
Best regards P.L. Fabbri
--------------------------------------------- Dr. Pier Luigi Fabbri C.I.G.S. - Centro Interdip. Grandi Strumenti Universitŕ di Modena via Campi 213/A - 41100 Modena, Italy Tel +39-059-2055231 / +39-059-370551 Fax +39-059-370551 E-mail: fabbri-at-mail.cigs.unimo.it ---------------------------------------------
In my files I find the following companies that deal in used and rebuilt equipment:
Capovani Brothers Inc. http://www.capovani.com Tel: 518-346-8347
E. McGrath inc. Tel 508-744-3546
Good luck, WCB -- Wilbur C. Bigelow, Prof. Emeritus Materials Sci. & Engr., University of Michigan 3062 Dow Bldg.; 2300 Hayward St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2136 e-mail: bigelow-at-umich.edu; Fx:734-763-4788; Ph:734-662-5237
Look in Thompson, S.W.(1966), "Selected [1600+ pages!!!!] Histochemical and Histopathological Methods", Thomas Pub., Springfield, IL, USA
Chap 9. "Microscopic Histochemical Methods for the Demonstration of Minerals" p.p.. 587-589 Sodium rhodizonate (CAS 523-21-7). Primary method for Lead, but Cd is listed a minor contributor under certain conditions. While the Lead complex is violet and very strong, Cd complex is 'brown-red' and not as strong a Rx. Al Rx's are pH dependent. This is a classic "in-your-hands" cytochemical method, but it is for LM. Just when you think all is lost in the past, a little light appears, as follows.
ALSO, Cd is bound by oxime (also 8-hydroxyquinoline[CAS: 148-24-3]). The latter is used to chelate Cd. See, Yoshizuka, M, McCarthy, K.J. Kaye, G.I., and Fujimoto, S.(1990), Cadmium toxicity to the cornea of pregnant rats: Electron Microscopy and X-ray microanalysis, Anat. Rec., 227: 138.(from Hayat,M.A.(1993), STAINS AND CYTOCHEMICAL METHODS, Plenum, N.Y., NY, pp.375-76). The reference in Hayat is a bit sketchy, but the resolution for you is about right. Fortunately, the primary record should be readily available.
BUT, seems to me if there is sufficient Cd for there to be a question, a good thin section (not from paraffin) would show it using STEM or at lower res (you CAN use a paraffin section!) using SEM w/EDS or better res w/WDS. Some college/university/company should have one of these and be willing to help. With the right combination of a heavy metal 'stain' (lead or uranium as long as it doesn't exchange with the Cd!), you should be able to get a good tissue map with backscatter and then a great overlay of that with the X-Ray map of the Cd distribution. Without the reference, I can't back this memory up, but it seems to me that if you have an animal with suspected Cd poisoning, one of the best places to look is the testis in which it concentrates (I think!). Sort of like looking for Iodine in the thyroid.
PubMed Search:
27. Kawahara A, Yoshizuka M, Hirano T, Ohsato K, Fujimoto S. Related Articles Cadmium toxicity in perinatal rat hepatocytes: electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis, and morphometric analysis. Exp Mol Pathol. 1990 Oct;53(2):180-90. PMID: 2261947 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
28: Yoshizuka M, McCarthy KJ, Kaye GI, Fujimoto S. Related Articles Cadmium toxicity to the cornea of pregnant rats: electron microscopy and x-ray microanalysis. Anat Rec. 1990 May;227(1):138-43. PMID: 2368924 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Since you work at *.gov, this should not be an insurmountable problem.
Good Luck and hope this helps,
Frederick C. Monson, PhD West Chester University of Pennsylvania Center for Advanced Scientific Imaging (CASI) Schmucker II Science Center (Room: SS024(Basement)) South Church Street West Chester, PA, 19383 MailDrop: Department of Geology/Astronomy Phone: 610-738-0437 Fax: 610-436-3036 email: fmonson-at-wcupa.edu Please call before visiting.
} ---------- } From: Diana M Papoulias } Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2001 7:48 PM } To: microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } Subject: cadmium stain } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } I am seeking assistance in finding a method to stain cadmium in paraffin } embedd tissue. If such a method exists, I would very much appreciate your } help. } } Thank you in advance, } } Diana Papoulias } Fisheries Biologist, Research } US Geological Survey } Columbia Environmental Research Center } 4200 New Haven Rd. } Columbia, Missouri 65201 } } voice mail: 573-876-1902 } e-mail: Diana_Papoulias-at-usgs.gov } fax: 573-876-1896 } } }
A colleague wishes to get guidance and information about coupling his video camera to his compound microscope.
He has a Sony DXC-970MD video camera. The camera has an ENG 1/2" bayonet lens mount. He wants to use it on a Zeiss Axiophot.
I am used to simple C-mount adapters, the bayonet mount is the ringer for me.
According to his research Sony offers an adapter, HRT045ENG12, that they say is used to mount this camera to a microscope. His question is 'Does the Sony adapter substitute for those offered by Zeiss for this purpose, or is the Sony adapter used to convert the bayonet mount to something compatable with the adapters offered by Zeiss?'
Finally, back in the old days, I remember learning that one could use a simple T-mount to attach a 35 mm camera to a microscope, but that it was not as good as having an eyepiece camera because it lacked the ocular lens. Is the same true of mounting a video camera? I have always just used simple, lenless C-mounts and it has seemed fine. If we are looking for ultimate image quality, should we be using a more sophisticated adapter?
Thanks
Jonathan Krupp Microscopy & Imaging Lab University of California Santa Cruz, CA 95064 (831) 459-2477 jmkrupp-at-cats.ucsc.edu
} Hi all, I am writing to ask for advise and assistance in } locating sources of used equipment...
} My funds are very limited...
Hi Tim,
I have started new molecular biology and tissue culture labs. Several vendors (e.g., Fisher Scientific) provide discounts for new lab startups. For example, I called Fisher and they sent me some forms to complete. That was it. Whenever I placed an order, I told the operator about my discount. The discounts vary with each vendor, and they can save you a substantial sum. If you must purchase new equipment and supplies, you might want to ask about these.
Good luck!
(Disclaimer: All opinions are my own, not those of my employer.)
Kristine L. Danowski Dow Chemical Company Corporate R&D Analytical Sciences 1897 Building Midland, MI 48667
The wisest man I ever knew taught me something I never forgot. And although I never forgot it, I never quite memorized it either. So what I'm left with is the memory of having learned something very wise that I can't quite remember. -- George Carlin
Has anyone here familiar with any attempts to achieve critical point drying of a water saturated sample without the use of an intermediate fluid, i.e., by using the critical point of water itself at 374 oC/3212 PSI?
I'm interested in looking at clay samples. I am concerned that acetone will cause structural rearrangement of the clay particles because of dissimilar physical and electrical properties between acetone and water. Unlike biological specimens, clay would not care the least about a temperature of 374 degrees, as it does not begin its dehydroxylization process until over 500 degrees. I work in an oil field related industry where we have ready access to equipment that would consider 5000 PSI to be "light duty" so an appropriate pressure bomb would not be difficult to construct.
Some questions:
1) All CPD devices that I have seen have a window that allows you to observe the state of the meniscus. Is this essential, or can I assume that the process will go as physics says it should without actually observing the meniscus?
2) I do not want to place the clay samples in water and allow the water to provide pressure as it is heated, as any water in contact with the clay will start to decompose the sample. Can I use an external pressure source (high pressure air, for example) to keep the pressure inside the bomb high enough to avoid evaporation of any water until the critical point is reached? Would it suffice to simply build a little platform that would keep the clay sample above the water level?
3) Am I nuts for even considering this? What am I missing?
Thanks for your help.
Bruce Girrell Microline Technology Corp. 2397 Traversefield Dr. Traverse City, MI 49686 http://www.microlinetc.com
The following figures is a generalization to some degree, since I do not know what brand of LaB6 cathode you are using. LaB6 cathodes manufacturers advertise expected lifetime (hours) under vacuum conditions of 10-7 mbar or better. When vacuum deteriorates closer to 10-6 mbar range, cathode lifetime will be reduced about twice. Generally, LaB6 cathodes are not recommended for use in vacuum (even intermittently) worse than 10-6 mbar, as cathode lifetime reduces dramatically (exponentially). Especially for LaB6 cathodes with metallic heater (versus Carbon one).
XL30 is a good instrument and must achieve much better vacuum than 6 x 10-7 mbar, continuously. Also, baking out may only improve vacuum once after initial pump down in a system with negligible leaks. The fact that periodic bake-out improves vacuum temporarily, may point to another condition, such as micro leak(s). When parts of the gun/column are heated, materials do expand, and leak(s) may (partially) close for awhile. Or, a substantial amount of outgasing material is present in the UHV area. Or, vacuum readout may be incorrect. In which case everything might be just fine!
All this is just a suggestion. A number of other scenarios possible, with a number of proper troubleshooting techniques. If your SEM is still under warranty, the solution is up to your service representative. His inspiration is up to you.
Vitaly Feingold Scientific Instruments and Applications 2773 Heath Lane, Duluth GA 30096 (770)232-7785 ph. (770)232-1791 fax
This message is made of 100% recycled electrons. -----Original Message----- } From: FABBRI {fabbri-at-cigssrv1.unimo.it} To: microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com {microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com}
We are using a quite new FEI XL-30 LaB6 SEM. It's a long time the we are trying to understand the normal working conditions of the vacuum system. Looking at what is written in the operating manual, our vacuum system is not able to work in safety conditions for the Lab6 filament ( { 2x10-7 mbar ). To do this we need to bakeout the gun frequently ( weekly )and are able to work in that safety ( { 2x10-7 )condition only for few hours. FEI says that the info on the manual are too restrictive (!!) and that we can work safetly with vacuum levels {6 x10-7 baking out every two weeks.
Any thoughts would be very welcome. Thank you very much in advance.
Best regards P.L. Fabbri
--------------------------------------------- Dr. Pier Luigi Fabbri C.I.G.S. - Centro Interdip. Grandi Strumenti Universitŕ di Modena via Campi 213/A - 41100 Modena, Italy Tel +39-059-2055231 / +39-059-370551 Fax +39-059-370551 E-mail: fabbri-at-mail.cigs.unimo.it ---------------------------------------------
G'day Bruce, What is wrong in going the other way and simply dry your sample using a small vacuum chamber?? High temperature and high pressure spell trouble to me. Regards JVN
Bruce Girrell wrote: } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Has anyone here familiar with any attempts to achieve critical point drying } of a water saturated sample without the use of an intermediate fluid, i.e., } by using the critical point of water itself at 374 oC/3212 PSI? } } I'm interested in looking at clay samples. I am concerned that acetone will } cause structural rearrangement of the clay particles because of dissimilar } physical and electrical properties between acetone and water. Unlike } biological specimens, clay would not care the least about a temperature of } 374 degrees, as it does not begin its dehydroxylization process until over } 500 degrees. I work in an oil field related industry where we have ready } access to equipment that would consider 5000 PSI to be "light duty" so an } appropriate pressure bomb would not be difficult to construct. } } Some questions: } } 1) All CPD devices that I have seen have a window that allows you to observe } the state of the meniscus. Is this essential, or can I assume that the } process will go as physics says it should without actually observing the } meniscus? } } 2) I do not want to place the clay samples in water and allow the water to } provide pressure as it is heated, as any water in contact with the clay will } start to decompose the sample. Can I use an external pressure source (high } pressure air, for example) to keep the pressure inside the bomb high enough } to avoid evaporation of any water until the critical point is reached? Would } it suffice to simply build a little platform that would keep the clay sample } above the water level? } } 3) Am I nuts for even considering this? What am I missing? } } Thanks for your help. } } Bruce Girrell } Microline Technology Corp. } 2397 Traversefield Dr. } Traverse City, MI 49686 } http://www.microlinetc.com } } (231) 935-1585 (Voice) } (231) 922-5099 (FAX) } bigirrell-at-microlinetc.com
-- John Nailon Operations Manager The Centre for Microscopy and Microanlaysis The University of Queensland St Lucia QLD 4072 Tel: +61-7-33654214 Fax: +61-7-33654422 WWW: http://www.uq.edu.au/nanoworld
True, when the vacuum is marginal or when "accidents" occur, baking can save the day. Although, there are limitations and eventually a cathodes will fail. My point is that the performance of the established LaB6 brands are fairly similar under ideal conditions, but Kimball's single center post design is intrinsically more robust and will tolerate more abuse before failure. I consider this is an established fact and is not an impression clouded by my obvious commercial interest. Disclaimer: ProSciTech supplies Kimball LaB6 (not to N America) Cheers Jim Darley ProSciTech Microscopy PLUS PO Box 111, Thuringowa QLD 4817 Australia Ph +61 7 4774 0370 Fax:+61 7 4789 2313 service-at-proscitech.com Great microscopy catalogue, 500 Links, MSDS, User Notes ABN: 99 724 136 560 www.proscitech.com
On Thursday, May 31, 2001 9:43 PM, Frank Thomas [SMTP:thomasf-at-AGC.BIO.NS.CA] wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Dear Dr. Fabbri - } } I take it from your message that the manual for the vacuum system is } independent of the manual for the XL-30. I think I would tend to believe } FEI. We operate our LaB6 routinely at 1 x 10-6.6 to 1 x 10-6.8 mbar. Our } slightly poorer vacuum probably does result in somewhat shortened LaB6 life, } but it's the best vacuum our aging ion pump can manage, and we rarely have } "down" time because of vacuum problems. In a perfect vacuum, of course, the } LaB6 filament would last a very, very long time, (theoretically); and the } poorer the vacuum, the shorter the filament life. But I think in this case } FEI is right - your vacuum system manual may be "too restrictive" for } real-world operation. I would consider 6 x 10-7 an admirable vacuum, at } least in our instrument. And, of course, FEI will be happy to sell you a new } LaB6 when you need one ;-). } If your new XL-30 is able to do its own "bake-out" routinely, then by all } means use this function as often as you feel is necessary. And do keep an } eye on the state of the vacuum - you may notice changes for the better or } worse as time goes on. } Good luck. } } F.C. Thomas } Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic) } Bedford Institute of Oceanography } Dartmouth, Nova Scotia } Canada } } } } ----- Original Message ----- } } From: "FABBRI" {fabbri-at-cigssrv1.unimo.it} } To: {microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} } Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2001 4:55 AM } Subject: XL30 - LaB6 Vacuum system } } } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } } } } We are using a quite new FEI XL-30 LaB6 SEM. } } It's a long time the we are trying to understand the } } normal working conditions of the vacuum system. Looking } } at what is written in the operating manual, our vacuum system is not able } } to work in safety conditions for the Lab6 filament ( { 2x10-7 mbar ). } } To do this we need to bakeout the gun frequently ( weekly )and are able } } to work in that safety ( { 2x10-7 )condition only for few hours. } } FEI says that the info on the manual are too restrictive (!!) and that } } we can work safetly with vacuum levels {6 x10-7 baking out every two } weeks. } } } } Any thoughts would be very welcome. } } Thank you very much in advance. } } } } Best regards } } P.L. Fabbri } } } } --------------------------------------------- } } Dr. Pier Luigi Fabbri } } C.I.G.S. - Centro Interdip. Grandi Strumenti } } Universita di Modena } } via Campi 213/A - 41100 Modena, Italy } } Tel +39-059-2055231 / +39-059-370551 } } Fax +39-059-370551 } } E-mail: fabbri-at-mail.cigs.unimo.it } } --------------------------------------------- } } } } } } } } } }
AutoQuant makes a nice program called AutoVisualize. It will take 2D slices and make them into a 3D image.
gary g.
At 03:59 PM 5/29/2001, you wrote:
} Kevin (and others), } } Your question about 3D reconstruction based on 2D sections was forwarded to my } desk by an associate who is a member of your group. } } There are many reconstruction packages on the market. One of the ones I am } aware of is the VoxBlast by VayTek (http://www.vaytek.com/VoxBlast.html). } } Another I have seen is called SpyGlass but I do not have a URL reference } for that } one. } } Best of luck. } } Matt } } Matthew M. Batchelor } Applications Engineer } ------------------------------------ } Meyer Instruments, Inc. } 1304 Langham Creek, Suite 235 } Houston, TX 77084 } Video Microscopy Imaging Specialists } P - 281-579-0342, F - 281-579-1551 } E-Mail = mmb-at-meyerinst.com } Home Page = http://www.meyerinst.com/
Gary Gaugler, Ph.D. Optical Reflections 7970 Twin Rocks Rd Granite Bay, CA 95746-8111 916.791.8191 916.791.8186 fax
Disclaimer: I am an authorized dealer for this and other photographic and software products.
http://photoweb.net
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