Microscopy lab services with MicroVision Laboratories, Inc.? ?MicroVision Labs is owned and operated by a career microscopist, John Knowles, who understands the needs of our clients. Our emphasis on helping our clients solve problems, not just providing data, sets us apart from other labs. We have the technology and knowledge to find answers to your most difficult challenges, helping you succeed at every step. Can I come in to see my samples analyzed? Yes, our clients are always welcome to come in while their samples are being analyzed. For much of the work we do, it is mutually beneficial for our clients to be present to help direct their project since they can provide expertise about their samples. Some of the services we provide such as polished cross sections have time consuming steps making it impractical for a client to stay to watch everything. In those cases it is recommended that you come in initially to explain what you need done and come back at a later time to see the finished product.

The client was able to obtain a comprehensive sampling of the state of the soldering process from the new manufacturer at a very reasonable cost. Rather than acquiring a mass of images, electrical test print outs, or low resolution optical pictures, the client received a comprehensive report detailing the relevant findings of the analysis on the boards from the new manufacturer. The solder joints in this study showed good bond integrity as well as excellent intermetallic layers. These findings allowed for the validation of the new manufacturer and their process which allowed for the clients device production to resume. The QC Engineers were very pleased with the customer service, analysis, pricing and quick turnaround time of this project. See a few more info at microvisionlabs.com.

Examining the sample with a polarized light microscope (PLM), it was darker and coarser than expected for a mold sample. The dust appeared to be a closed cell, synthetic blown foam material, and all from the same source. The black color was likely due to pigment particles added to color the foam. Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy was performed on the foam particles. The spectrum showed a mixture of spectral features, associated with vinyl acetates, polyurethane, and cellulose or other sugar-like polymers. Based on these features, a common urethane acetate foam was determined as the likely source material.

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.

SEM is a powerful surface microscopy method which allows for high resolution images to be obtained on a wide range of samples. A focused beam of electrons sweeps across a sample surface and an image is created from the scattered electrons. The electron beam allows for the accurate imaging of features below the resolution limit of visible light. The acquired pictures retain good depth of field, resulting in excellent three-dimensional images. Variations in beam parameters can be made in order to highlight variations in density in the target sample, show extremely fine surface features, and illustrate texture in sample surface coatings. MicroVision Labs has multiple fully-operational SEMs, Bruker X-Flash EDS detectors and mapping technology, backscatter electron (BSE) imaging, and large chamber capabilities. These provide a full suite of microscopy services for all of your analytical needs. See more details at this website.

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.