Analytical Techniques
Sample Analysis Using Electron Microscopy
Analytical techniques used on electron microscopes to obtain images and elemental information:
- Secondary Electron Imaging (SE) - High resolution imaging
- Backscattered Electron Imaging (BSE) - Identifying areas of different atomic elements
- X-ray Microanalysis using EDAX (EDX) - Elemental analysis, identifying elements present
- X-ray Mapping using EDAX (EDX) - Elemental analysis of areas
- Electron BackScatter Diffraction Detection (EBSD)
- Cryo SEM
- Environmental SEM (ESEM)
- Low Vacuum SEM
- Image Analysis
More information:
Image Analysis
Image analysis software (analySIS) is available at the centre for the processing of images and x-ray maps, both offline and on the CM100 TEM instrument. Image analysis enables processing of data e.g. quantification of particle sizes, distribution, statistics etc. It allows the visual information in an image to be converted into numerical form, which can be compared and analysed. Processing images this way also allows them to be prepared for publication.
A digitised grey-scale image is processed, to highlight the regions of interest, and then converted into a binary (black and white) image. The features of interest, which now appear black against a white background, are then measured and the data output and/or stored and analysed.
Example: Dunaliella salina, a dominant phytoplankter of brackish water lagoons, has a unique property of being able to accumulate large amounts of b-Carotene when cultivated under appropriate conditions (click on images for larger views).
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(a) Longitudinal section of Dunaliella salina showing numerous b-Carotene globules dispersed in the chloroplasts. |
(b) Binary image of Fig. (a) showing selection and highlighting of only the b-Carotene particles. |
(c) Histogram of b-Carotene particle sizes automatically measured from Fig. (b). |
Other image analysis software packages available include:
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Olympus Soft Imaging Systems - AnalySIS Image Analysis Package
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FIJI ImageJ - Free image analysis software program
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Iatia - QPe Phase Contrast Software
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ZEISS - Kontron Image Analysis Package
