Microscopy lab services with Microvisionlabs.com
3 min readXrf analysis services with MicroVision Laboratories? Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) identifies the elements present in a sample by analyzing the X-rays generated by the electron beam of the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), making it an indispensable tool. Since X-rays are only generated from the area of the surface excited by the small electron beam, spectra of individual areas or particles can be obtained. Spectral information can therefore be generated for an entire field of view by scanning the beam, providing an elemental map. With the high count rate and excellent signal to noise ratio of our advanced QDD EDS detectors, high resolution data sets are collected and analyzed in minutes, rather than days. This elemental mapping technique allows our clients to immediately visualize the chemical landscape in their samples. Additionally, since the entire spectra is stored for each pixel, areas of interest that are identified later can be examined in detail, without ever having to re-image the sample. Other labs can’t touch the quality and visual impact of the elemental maps we produce here at MicroVision Labs.
Conclusion: Based on the analytical report, the client was able to demonstrate that the particles were consistent with a common aspirin tablet. When the end customer was approached with this report, they remembered that their spouse had taken an aspirin earlier that morning, and had likely used the bottle of water in question to do so. Based on this, the customer was happy, the manufacturing client was satisfied, and the sample was maintained – undestroyed should someone need to examine the sample again or do any more esoteric testing. For an affordable price, the client was able to get piece of mind, and gather information from a very wide range of testing methods quickly and accurately.
Also, the color EDS map highlights the iron particles in the mineral filled PVC floor. These iron particles were concentrated in areas were the tile showed signs of impact which indicated some metallic object impacted the tile leaving behind small particles and over time the materials oxidized which created darker spots in the tile. The data indicated that a significant portion of the dust was from the insulation in the attic. The contractor had replaced a portion of duct work running to the master bedroom. During this replacement, fiberglass insulation was knocked into the ducting. The small glass insulation fibers were spread through the AC ducts and settling out of the air throughout the house. The client was relieved to know what was causing their skin irritation and the significant dust build up. Using the results garnered from the analysis from MicroVision Labs they were able to have the contractor clean out the duct work and act to prevent further spread of the insulation fibers and properly clean up the settled dust in the house that was the cause of the homeowner’s skin irritation.
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. Read more details on https://microvisionlabs.com/service/light-microscopy/.
The client was able to determine the source of the black dust was due to the mechanical breakdown of the foam cushions in the impacted room, and not from mold or mildew growth. The experienced analysts at MicroVision Labs were able to differentiate the foam materials from either blown cellulose or urethane foam insulation or air filters, allowing for the client to easily remove the problem cushions.
MicroVision Laboratories, Inc. has been providing businesses, consultants and other testing laboratories with expert microscopy and analytical services since 2003. Our client base covers a broad spectrum of industries including semi-conductors, aerospace, electronics, biomedical, ceramics, optics, pharmaceuticals, mineralogy, metallurgy, thin films, environmental, membranes filtration and industrial hygiene. Read a few extra details on here.