Structural and Chemical Characterization of the Ediacaran Embryo-Like Fossils via the Combination of 3D-XRM and FIB-SEM Approaches

The three-dimensional(3D)morphology,anatomy,and in-situ chemical composition analysis of fossils are crucial for systematic paleontology and determining their phylogenetic positions.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM)coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS),offers valuable structural and chemical information for the analysis of fossils.However,its primary limitation is the restriction to two-dimensional surface data,which limits the exploration of fossils’3D complexities.Conversely,3D X-ray microscopy(3D-XRM),also known as a novel form of micro-computed tomography(micro-CT)facilitates the non-destructive 3D reconstruction of fossil specimens.Nevertheless,it lacks the capability to provide in-situ compositional data.Acknowledging the constraints inherent in these individual techniques,and in response to the evolving requirements of paleontological research,this study introduces an integrated approach that combines 3D-XRM with EDS-coupled focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy(FIB-SEM).This innovative strategy is designed to synergize the advantages of both techniques,thereby addressing challenges that conventional methods cannot.It enables the rapid identification of regions of interest(ROI)within fossil specimens at micrometer resolution.Subsequently,this method collects detailed data on both 3D structures and chemical compositions at the nanometer scale for the identified ROI.This integrated approach represents a significant advancement in paleontological and geological research methodologies,promising to meet the increasing demands of these fields.

Determination of microcapsule physicochemical, structural, and mechanical properties

Research into the fundamental properties of microcapsules and use of the results to develop a wide variety of products in industries such as printing, fast-moving consumer goods, construction, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals is a dynamic and ever-progressing field of study. For microcapsules to be effective in providing protection from harsh environments or delivering large payloads, it is essential to have a good understanding of their properties to enable quality control during formulation, storage, and applications. This review aims to outline the commonly used techniques for determining the physicochemical, struc- tural, and mechanical properties of microcapsules, and highlights the interlinked nature of these three areas with respect to the end-use industrial application. This review provides information on techniques that are well supported in the literature, and also examines microcapsule analytical techniques that will become more prevalent as a result of new technological developments or extensions from other areas of study.

Effect of Annealing Temperature on the Morphology and Sensitivity of the Zinc Oxide Nanorods-Based Methane Senor

ZnO nanorods in the form of thin films were synthesized by a facile chemical route and the effect of annealing temperature on the structure and sensitivity of such ZnO-based sensors was studied in detail towards methane sensing.Morphological analyses of such films were carried out by scanning electron microscopy,whereas,the crystalline structure and phase purity of the films were analysed by X-ray diffraction technique.The films were observed to display a gradual change in their morphology from granular to dense nanorods and each of them was used to fabricate methane sensor prototype.They were also tested for temperature-dependent methane-sensing capability with varying methane concentrations.The optimized sensor exhibited highest gas response of ＊80% at 250 °C with significantly low response and recovery time.