Sem/eds analysis laboratories with MicroVision Laboratories, Inc.
Eds analysis laboratories by MicroVision Laboratories? Our membrane autopsy service uses a combination of microscopy techniques to examine filtration membranes and identify the elemental and chemical composition of any foulant materials present. This analysis also categorizes the degree of fouling and notes any other causes for poor performance, such as physical damage to the membrane surface. MicroVision Labs has extensive experience examining a wide variety of RO, UF and MF membranes, including hollow fibers, cartridge, spiral wound, and tubular membranes. See a few extra info at https://microvisionlabs.com/service/micro-ftir/.
Analysis and Results: The submitted bottle was examined for signs of interior distress, and the water from the bottle was removed and maintained. Some of the suspended particulate was filtered and examined non-destructively by light microscopy first, to characterize the material. A low magnification stereo microscope image of the filtered white particulate is shown in the image above. From this image, biological tissues were ruled out, and the material was observed to be crystalline. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) was used to analyze the sample next. From this examination, the material showed birefringence as shown in the PLM image on the right. The PLM Image Stereo Microscope image suspect material showed optical properties and morphology dissimilar to common carbonates and sulfates. It was determined to be a birefringent crystalline material, but it could not be identified using only PLM methods. Therefore, analysis using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) would have to be performed to obtain further information about the suspect material.
The desired chip packages were sectioned from the larger board, and placed in an epoxy mounting cup. The epoxy was mixed and allowed to harden. The resulting epoxy puck was cross sectioned and polished. The epoxy mounting and cross sectioning process gave precise, perfectly preserved cross sectional surfaces through the desired components and their solder bonds.
Do you do any animal testing? No. Do you analyze any tissue samples or blood samples? No. We do not do any blood analyses and we are not set up to prepare tissue samples. What are some of the cool samples you have looked at under the scanning electron microscope? We have seen 10,000 year old Wolly Mammoth hair, meteorites, an artificial heart valve, civil war bullets, insulin pumps, rare colonial coins, a kidney stone, and a few things we can’t talk about. But some of the more mundane samples, like wood or salt crystals, have proven to be extremely interesting subjects to image.
An affected floor tile was submitted to determine if the previous mold testing had missed a source on the tile backing or mastic. Additionally, a new tile from the same manufacturing lot was submitted for comparison. The process of preparing and examining the sample and reference tile was documented. Areas with darkened surface features were imaged and then cut out and examined. While the dark spots looked very discrete when examined by eye, under top light polarized microscopy they appeared more diffuse at the outer edges. The darkest areas surrounded what appeared to be particles embedded in the surface.
?We partner with companies in all phases of product development and sales, including R&D, manufacturing, QC, advertising and failure analysis. Our laboratory offers a highly-trained and experienced staff utilizing a powerful set of analytical tools (SEM with EDS and backscatter detectors, Bruker X-Flash elemental mapping, X-Ray imaging, Micro-FTIR spectroscopy, Micro-XRF, light microscopy, cross sectioning/precision polishing and microhardness testing). Read additional info on https://microvisionlabs.com/.