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