Constructing Electron Microscope Labs: Challenges and Solutions

The construction of advanced laboratories for precision instruments, such as electron microscopes, involves unique challenges that are influenced by the specific environmental conditions required for optimal functionality. These include mitigating interference from magnetic fields and vibrations, which are critical for maintaining the precision and accuracy of the instruments used. This study aims to offer enhanced project management strategies and detailed construction solutions that address the environmental and technical needs specific to electron microscopy labs, thereby facilitating effective lab operations and extending the lifecycle of high-end precision instruments. Case studies of existing laboratory constructions, onsite investigations, and comprehensive reviews of the technical and environmental requirements provide the basis for a best practice for constructing sophisticated electron microscopy labs. The approach integrates both pre-construction planning and post-construction adjustments to create optimal operational environments. The findings suggest that successful lab constructions are those that incorporate thorough onsite assessments, strategic location choices, and the use of advanced construction materials and techniques specifically designed to counteract environmental challenges like magnetic and vibration interferences. Actionable guidelines for both planning and executing the construction of electron microscope labs highlighted in this tutorial are intended as an important resource to troubleshoot or upgrade existing lab facilities and to consult in preparation of future lab construction projects.

Changes of Calmodulin Distribution in the Embryo Sac of Oryza sativa Before and After Fertilization: an Immunogold Electron Microscope Study

Changes of calmodulin (CaM) distribution in the embryo sac of rice (Oryza sativa subsp. Japonica) at various stages before and after fertilization have been investigated by using immunogold electron microscopy. Before pollination, both cytoplasm and vacuoles of the egg cell, synergids and central cell were labeled by gold particles. A small amount of gold particles were localized in the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and dictyosomes. From pollination to fertilization, CaM amount increased in these cells, especially rich in the starch of amyloplasts. Increase of gold particles in the central cell began about 2 h earlier than that in the egg cell. There was no distinct difference of CaM amount between the degenerated and the persistent synergids. It is interesting to observe an obvious change of CaM distribution form during pollination and fertilization from scattered single particles to clustered particles, and back again to single particles after the fertilization finished. CaM was also localized extracellularly in the embryo sac wall as well as in the wall and intercellular space of nucellus cells. The extracellular CaM also changes in its amount and form after pollination. These results suggest that CaM, either intra- or extra-cellular, may play important roles in fertilization and zygote formation.

Obsevation for Epidermal Ultrastructure of Nostoc sphaeroides Kutzing under Scanning Electron Microscope

[Objective]The experiment aimed to explore a new way for observing surface structure of Nostoc sphaeroides Kutzing. [Method] The scanning electron microscope was used to observe the epidermal ultrastructure of wild and cultured Nostoc sphaeroides Kutzing. [ Result] The epidermis of wild and cultured Nostoc sphaeroides Kutzing showed mixture structure of fibril colloid which was reticular arranged. The difference between wild and cultured Nostoc sphaeroides Kutzing was that the outer epidermis of cultured Nostoc sphaeroides Kutzing had trichome distribution but the wild Nostoc sphaeroides Kutzing did not has such distribution. The obsevation results of under smaller than 10 μm by scanning electron microscope was touched thick and showed many folds and distortions. [ Conclusion] The scanning electron microscope was an effective way to study development of Nostoc sphaeroides Kutzing colony and it was worth popularizing.

Observation of Helicotylenchus digonicus by Scanning Electron Microscope

[ Objective] The paper was to observe Helicotylenchus digonicus by scanning electron microscope （SEM）. [ Method ] H. digonicus collected from Changxing of Zhejiang Province was observed under scanning electron microscope, and its morphological structure was confmned under optical microscope. [ Resuit]The nematode specimens fixed by glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide and prepared by critical point drying were unmodified and unshrinkable with clear mor- phological structure, which could be scanned very well by scanning electron microscope. [ Conclusion ] The study provided reference for study and control of H. digonicus.

Observation for Leaf Epidermal Characteristics of Four Different Pomegranate Cultivars under Scanning Electron Microscope

[Objective] The research aimed to provide reference for classification of pomegranate cultivars and studies of genetic relationship among pomegranate cultivars.[Method] The electron microscope scanning was used to comparatively observe leaf epidermal structures of 4 pomegranate cultivars.[Result] The upper epidermal structures of 4 pomegranate cultivars were similar and showed reticular structure .However, the differences existed in lower epidermis,such as cell shape,cell size and arrangement mode of cell as well as stomatal density,while the structures of leaf vein in lower epidermis of 4 pomegranate cultivars were similar.[Conclusion] The research provided morphological references for studying heterosis of pomegranate to some extent.

Chalkiness Characters and Scanning Electron Microscope Observation of Rice Grain Endosperm of Japonica Varieties in Southern Henan

Chalkiness characters affect not only the grain appearance,milling,eating and cooking qualities but also the grain nutritional quality in rice,thus it is one of the most important traits in rice. It is very important for us to investigate the relation of the chalkiness formation and the development of endosperm structure and starch granule of different rice varieties. Here,we have investigated the chalkiness characters such as chalkiness rate,chalkiness degree and chalkiness area in 15 japonica rice varieties from southern Henan. Furthermore,the endosperm structure and starch granules of rice grain were also observed with scanning electron microscope. The results showed that the 15 japonica varieties have a significantly linear relationship between the chalkiness rate and chalkiness degree. Among the varieties,the biggest difference is the chalkiness rate,the second is the chalkiness area,and the last is the chalkiness degree. Moreover,there is a certain correlation between the distribution of starch granules,the arrangement of endosperm cells and the occurrence of grain chalkiness in the different rice varieties. For the same variety,the starch granules of chalky and non-chalky grains have obvious difference,while the starch granules from the transparent part of chalky rice and non-chalky rice do not have significant difference. The results would provide useful references for the improvement of grain quality in rice.

Retrieving analog images from a scanning electron microscopewith a synchronous data acquisition method

In this work,an old scanning electron microscope(SEM)is refurbished to enhance its image processing capability.How to digitally sample and process an analog image is also presented.An NI PCI-6259 multiple input/output data acquisition(DAQ)board is used to acquire signals originally being sent to an analog display,and then convert the signals into a digital image.Two output channels are used for raster scan of the horizontal and verticle axes of the image buffer,while one input channel is used to read the brightness signals at various coordinate points.Synchronous method is used to maximize the DAQ speed.Finally,the digitally buffered images are read out to display and saved in a hard drive.The hardware and software designs of this work are explained in great detail,which can serve as a very good example for fast synchronous DAQ,advanced virtual instrument design and structural driver programming with LabVIEW.

Characterization of Li-rich layered oxides by using transmission electron microscope

Lithium-rich layered oxides(LrLOs) deliver extremely high specific capacities and are considered to be promising candidates for electric vehicle and smart grid applications. However, the application of LrLOs needs further understanding of the structural complexity and dynamic evolution of monoclinic and rhombohedral phases, in order to overcome the issues including voltage decay, poor rate capability, initial irreversible capacity loss and etc. The development of aberration correction for the transmission electron microscope and concurrent progress in electron spectroscopy, have fueled rapid progress in the understanding of the mechanism of such issues. New techniques based on the transmission electron microscope are first surveyed, and the applications of these techniques for the study of the structure, migration of transition metal, and the activation of oxygen of LrLOs are then explored in detail, with a particular focus on the mechanism of voltage decay.

Gill surface architecture of mullet, Mugil soiuy (Basilewsky) : A scanning electron microscope study

Specimens of Mugil soiuy were collected from the coastal waters of Bohai Sea in Tianjin. The gillfilaments were cut with fine scissors and soaked for 24h in a fixative consisting of 2.5% glutaralde-hyde in 0.1 mol lphosporic acid buffer. After three washes in a buffer solution the tissue was fixedin a mixture of 1% osmium tetraoxide at 4℃ for 1h. The tissue was dehydrated in graded ethandethanols and dried. The tissue was examined and photographed with an SEM at an accelerating voltage

ELECTRON MICROSCOPE EVIDENCE OF VIRUS INFECTION IN CULTURED MARINE FISH

Electron microscope investigation on the red sea bream ( Pagrosomus major ), bastard halibut ( Paralichthys olivaceus ) and stone flounder ( Kareius bicoloratus ) in North China revealed virus infection in the bodies of the dead and diseased fish. These viruses included the lymphocystis disease virus (LDV), parvovirus, globular virus, and a kind of baculavirus which was not discovered and reported before and is now tentatively named baculavirus of stone flounder ( Kareius bicoloratus ).

Recent advances in nanorobotic manipulation inside scanning electron microscopes

A scanning electron microscope(SEM)provides real-time imaging with nanometer resolution and a large scanning area,which enables the development and integration of robotic nanomanipulation systems inside a vacuum chamber to realize simultaneous imaging and direct interactions with nanoscaled samples.Emerging techniques for nanorobotic manipulation during SEM imaging enable the characterization of nanomaterials and nanostructures and the prototyping/assembly of nanodevices.This paper presents a comprehensive survey of recent advances in nanorobotic manipulation,including the development of nanomanipulation platforms,tools,changeable toolboxes,sensing units,control strategies,electron beam-induced deposition approaches,automation techniques,and nanomanipulation-enabled applications and discoveries.The limitations of the existing technologies and prospects for new technologies are also discussed.

OBSERVATION OF THE EFFECT OF S－（－）USNIC ACID SODIUM ON TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS BY TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPE

This paper reports the ultrastructural changes of trichomonas vaginaiis (T. vag. ) under the action of s-(-)usnic acid sodium in vitro. These changes can be shown by the following results:At first, the degranulation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) took place, the polyribosomes disaggregated. And then, the Golgi complex and the endoplasmic reticulum dilated. The cytoplasmic matrix presented and inhomogeneous apperance. Finally, the biomembrane loosed and fractured.The cell nuclei presented the karyorrhexis.

Visualization of Methamphetamine-Contaminated Fingermarks on Glass Surfaces by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope for Forensic Investigation

Background:Fingermark is an individual’s primary identification source.It is helpful in determining individuals involved in illegal activities and is frequently encountered in clandestine laboratories.During forensic investigation,the critical question to be answered is whether a fingermark was left on a surface before or after the initiation of an unlawful activity.Aims and Objectives:This study aimed to investigate the visualization of methamphetamine-contaminated fingermarks on glass surfaces and estimate the immediacy of their depositions.Materials and Methods:In this study,the prior-deposition contaminated fingermarks,i.e.,fingermarks deposited a surface priorly contaminated by methamphetamine,and the postdeposition contaminated fingermarks,i.e.,fingermarks deposited on a clean surface but subsequently contaminated with methamphetamine were visualized and compared using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope(FESEM).Results:Under FESEM,the latent fingermarks and the crystalline structure of methamphetamine were clearly visualized.The postdeposition contaminated fingermarks appeared in smudge conditions in all the three replicate samples,where the ridge and nonridge areas could not be well-distinguished.On the contrary,the prior-deposition contaminated fingermark demonstrated distinct separations between ridges and nonridges.However,the application of fingerprint powders reduced the possibility to determine the immediacy of deposition.Conclusion:To conclude,both prior-deposition contaminated fingermarks and postdeposition contaminated fingermarks can be discriminated,providing information on the instance when a fingermark was left on a surface.

Rapid Identification of Rice Samples Using an Electronic Nose

Four rice samples of long grain type were tested using an electronic nose (Cyranose-320).Samples of 5 g of each variety of rice were placed individually in vials and were analyzed with the electronic nose unit consisting of 32 polymer sensors.The Cyranose-320 was able to differentiate between varieties of rice.The chemical composition of the rice odors for differentiating rice samples needs to be investigated.The optimum parameter settings should be considered during the Cyranose-320 training process especially for multiple samples,which are helpful for obtaining an accurate training model to improve identification capability.Further,it is necessary to investigate the E-nose sensor selection for obtaining better classification accuracy.A re- duced number of sensors could potentially shorten the data processing time,and could be used to establish an application pro- cedure and reduce the cost for a specific electronic nose.Further research is needed for developing analytical procedures that adapt the Cyranose-320 as a tool for testing rice quality.

The influence of temperature on flow-induced forces on quartz-crystal-microbalance sensors in a Chinese liquor identification electronic-nose: three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulation and analysis

An electronic-nose is developed based on eight quartz-crystal-microbalance (QCM) gas sensors in a sensor box, and is used to detect Chinese liquors at room temperature. Each sensor is a highly-accurate and highly-sensitive oscillator that has experienced airflow disturbances under the condition of varying room temperatures due to unstable flow-induced forces on the sensors surfaces. The three-dimensional (3D) nature of the airflow inside the sensor box and the interactions of the airflow on the sensors surfaces at different temperatures are studied by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools. Higher simulation accuracy is achieved by optimizing meshes, meshing the computational domain using a fine unstructural tetrahedron mesh. An optimum temperature, 30 ℃, is obtained by analyzing the distributions of velocity streamlines and the static pressure, as well as the flow-induced forces over time, all of which may be used to improve the identification accuracy of the electronic-nose for achieving stable and repeatable signals by removing the influence of temperature.

Investigation of structural change of purple membrane in storage by transmission electron microscope and atomic force microscope

The structural change of purple membrane during storage has been investigated by means of transmission electron microscope and atomic force microscope. It is found that many liposomes have spontaneously evolved from the purple membrane sheets isolated three years ago. The membrane proteins on the liposomes, bacteriorhodopsin, are still presented as trimers in 2-D hexagonal structure, which is the same as that in natural cell membrane. However, the cytoplasmic surface of purple membrane faced outside on the liposomes.

AN ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDY OF MINERAL GROUP OF FRANCKEITE

Franckeite and cylindrite of franckite mineral group were examined in the transmission electron microscope. Selected-area electron diffraction indicated that in the structure exists a long period, belonging to an incommensurate modulation period. The incommensurate modulation in this kind of minerals results from sine undular structure sheets. The excellent correspondence between high resolution simulated computer image and observed image was obtained on the basis of the structure of franckeite and cylindrite which was put forward in this paper. First, the fact that in the structures of franckeite and cylindrite exist two kinds of structure sheets whose lattices are different has been proved by experiment, i. e. false tetragonal symmetrical galena structure sheets(t sheets)and false hexagonal SnS_2 sheets(h sheets). The two kinds of sheets are packed in order of htht…

Metallic phases of Dong Ujimqin mesosiderite:A field emission scanning electron microscope study

The microstructure of Fe-Ni metallic phases in Dong Ujimqin mesosiderite was studied using the field emission SEM. Taenite is characterized by a zoned structure, consisting of outer clear taenite and inner cloudy zone (CZ). CZ has a typical 'island-honeycomb' microstructure. The average size of the island phase is about 358 nm, suggesting a cooling rate of～0.5℃/Ma at low temperature (【400℃). The Ni concentration profiles across kamacite and zoned taenite were also measured by electron probe microscope analysis (EPMA). Formation of the Fe-Ni metallic phases, microstructure in Dong Ujimqin mesosiderite was discussed based on the new low-temperature Fe-Ni phase diagram.

Observation of healing between artificial bladder and tissue by scanning electronic microscope

Object To detect the healing between artificial bladder and tissue. Method:Healing between 4 artificial bladder and surrounding tissue was observed by scanning electronic microscope. Result 4 prosthesis all could heal with tissue,but healing extent was different during different time. Conclusion:This artificial bladder could perform a good connection with tissue and the structure of nylon, surface area of prosthesis, time and infection maybe influenced the healing.

ELECTRON MICROSCOPE ANALYSIS OF MITOCHONDRIA ON RENAL TUBULE CELL SUFFERED WARM ISCHEMIC AND REPER FUSIVE DAMAGE IN RABBITS

ＥＬＥＣＴＲＯＮＭＩＣＲＯＳＣＯＰＥＡＮＡＬＹＳＩＳＯＦＭＩＴＯＣＨＯＮＤＲＩＡＯＮＲＥＮＡＬＴＵＢＵＬＥＣＥＬＬＳＵＦＦＥＲＥＤＷＡＲＭＩＳＣＨＥＭＩＣＡＮＤＲＥＰＥＲＦＵＳＩＶＥＤＡＭＡＧＥＩＮＲＡＢＢＩＴＳＥＬＥＣＴＲＯＮＭＩＣＲＯＳＣＯＰＥＡ...