5 Applications that Suit Electron Microscopes

Electron microscopes are very powerful. They are capable of higher resolutions than other types of microscopes. In fact, these devices can “see” objects that are as small as a nanometer. Their capabilities allow them to have a broader range of applications than their counterparts. Because of these advantages, companies and organizations tend to buy electron microscopes more than any other variant.

This article will tackle five of the fields in which electron microscopes have proven themselves to be valuable. We’ll also look at the specific function of these devices in these four scenarios.

Mining

Surveyors need to determine that there is a sizable deposit in a specific location before a mining company invests in its excavation. What these geologists do is obtain rock samples from the area and take them to the lab. There, they evaluate the presence of specific precious materials. In some cases, rocks can contain very small particles.

Geologists would need a very powerful microscope that’s capable of very high magnification. This is where the scanning electron microscope (SEM) comes in useful. Aside from identifying whatever precious materials the rocks contain, SEMs also help geology experts in studying the morphology of the samples. In this manner, electron microscopes help surveyors and scientists understand the history of any specific area in the context of geology.

Most importantly, SEM can help surveyors and mining companies decide whether it would be possible to extract additional ore from the area. With the help of electron microscopes, they can measure the grain size of the samples and determine if extraction is possible and determine the specific processes required.

Cancer Research

High-resolution imaging is a tremendous help to cancer research. For instance, three-dimensional electron microscopy gave a quantum leap in the field of diagnostics. The higher detail, for instance, helps doctors identify any abnormal cell growth even in the early stages of the disease. This means that oncologists can identify a budding cancer case early. This way, they can treat any patient with higher odds of success.

Just like in mining, electron microscopes help oncologists and researchers understand more about cancer. They can look at the development of cancer cells in more detail. For instance, they can identify how cancer cells invade and then kill normal cells. With high-resolution imaging, they can now analyze patterns of metastasis. This helps oncologists in studying methods of slowing down the spread of carcinogens throughout the patient’s body.

Archaeology

Electron microscopy also has various applications within the field of archeology. The most interesting of these applications is the study of historical paper manufacturing. The high-resolution imagery produced by electron microscopes allows scientists to see all sorts of detail in ancient scrolls and parchment. For instance, they found microscopic stones within the fibers of a 13th-century Arab manuscript. These stones are remnants left behind when papermakers smoothed the final product with rocks.

Another popular use of electron microscopy in archeology was in the study of the Shroud of Turin. In 1980, electron microscopy worked in tandem with X-ray diffraction to identify traces of red ochre and vermilion in the blood-bearing areas of the fabric. Scientists interpreted these results to mean that someone had painted over that particular area twice in the 14th century.

Forensics

Another area where electronic microscopy has immense value in is forensic science. Forensic investigators need as much information as they could from any available evidence. Electron microscopes help bring to light microscopic details from the evidence that could shed more light on the mysteries of a specific crime.

For instance, investigators can gather particles at the scene of a crime in which they suspect a firearm was used. Forensic scientists scan gunshot residues or GSR to find traces of specific chemicals. The most common chemicals found in gunshot residue are lead, antimony, and barium. Because samples are at least micrometers in size, optical microscopes cannot find these traces in GSRs. Electron microscopes, however, can easily display these minute particles in high-resolution images.

Quality Control

Last but not least is quality control. Some manufacturers assemble devices using both macroscopic and microscopic components. For instance, computer motherboards and processors have gold coating in their construction. Gold is an excellent conductor and is instrumental in boosting processing speed. Other precious materials like silver and platinum also play similar roles in computer parts.

Quality control specialists need to confirm that the products in question have all the right materials in place. Electron microscopy provides indispensable help in spotting defects at the microscopic level. They can reveal whether the central processing unit, for instance, has enough traces of gold or none at all. QA personnel can easily identify defective products as well as assemble evidence of possible fraud within the manufacturing facility.

Electron microscopy opened up myriad possibilities in various industries and sectors. Microscopy has its origins rooted in medicine and science, but the capabilities of electron microscopes have allowed the device to apply to other non-scientific fields as well. They are indeed sound investments for organizations and companies that deal with high-resolution imagery and objects that are too small to be seen by the naked eye.