Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energydispersive X-ray spectrometry for quick detection of sulfuroxidizing bacteria in environmental water samples

Detection of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria has largely been dependent on targeted gene sequencing technology or traditional cell cultivation, which usually takes from days to months to carry out. This clearly does not meet the requirements of analysis for time-sensitive samples and/or complicated environmental samples. Since energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry(EDS) can be used to simultaneously detect multiple elements in a sample, including sulfur, with minimal sample treatment, this technology was applied to detect sulfur-oxidizing bacteria using their high sulfur content within the cell. This article describes the application of scanning electron microscopy imaging coupled with EDS mapping for quick detection of sulfur oxidizers in contaminated environmental water samples, with minimal sample handling. Scanning electron microscopy imaging revealed the existence of dense granules within the bacterial cells, while EDS identified large amounts of sulfur within them. EDS mapping localized the sulfur to these granules. Subsequent 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the bacteria detected in our samples belonged to the genus Chromatium, which are sulfur oxidizers. Thus, EDS mapping made it possible to identify sulfur oxidizers in environmental samples based on localized sulfur within their cells, within a short time(within 24 h of sampling). This technique has wide ranging applications for detection of sulfur bacteria in environmental water samples.

Lithium mapping in a Mg-9Li-4Al-1Zn alloy using electron energy-loss spectroscopy

Magnesium-lithium alloys with high lithium content have been attracting significant attention because of their low density,high formability and corrosion resistance.These properties are dependent on the distribution of lithium,which is difficult to map in the presence of magnesium.In this work,a ratio spectrum-imaging method with electron energy-loss spectroscopy(EELS)is demonstrated,which enables the mapping of lithium.In application to LAZ941(Mg-9Li-4Al-1Zn in wt.%),this technique revealed that a key precipitate in the microstructure,previously thought by some to be Mg_(17)Al_(12),is in fact rich in lithium.This result was corroborated with a structural investigation by high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy(HAADF-STEM),showing this phase to be Al_(1-x)Zn_(x)Li,with x<<1.This work indicates the potential offered by this technique for mapping lithium in materials.

A double toroidal analyzer for scanning probe electron energy spectrometer

An ultra-high vacuum （UHV） compatible electron spectrometer employing a double toroidal analyzer has been de- veloped. It is designed to be combined with a custom-made scanning tunneling microscope （STM） to study the spatially localized electron energy spectrum on a surface. A tip-sample system composed of a piezo-driven field-emission tungsten tip and a sample of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite （HOPG） is employed to test the performance of the spectrometer. Two-dimensional images of the energy-resolved and angle-dispersed electrons backscattered from the surface of HOPG are obtained, the performance is optimized and the spectrometer is calibrated. A complete electron energy loss spectrum covering the elastic peak to the secondary electron peaks for the HOPG surface, acquired at a tip voltage of -140 V and a sample current of 0.5 pA, is presented, demonstrating the viability of the spectrometer.

Mineral Particles Found on the Hairs of Holy Maria-Magdalena Studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Elemental Analysis

The presumed hairs of Holy Maria-Magdalena are studied here for mineral particles found on their surfaces, by the techniques of scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray. Exploration by these techniques of the hair surfaces allows us to observe and study some marble fragments that can originate from the walls of the sarcophagus in which Maria-Magdalena’s remains were kept. These new findings support the authenticity of the hair as traditionally reported in the French “tradition des Saints de Provence”.

Neutron Activation Analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy of Phytoplankton in the Coastal Zone of Crimea (The Black Sea)

The physiology and ecology of planktonic organisms are influenced by the concentration, chemical speciation and resulting bioavailability of some trace metals. The determination of the elemental structure of phytoplankton is important for interpretation of physiological and functional states of coastal ecosystems. The present study is focused on the structure and elemental composition of the phytoplankton assemblages from the different coastal zones by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). For the first time these complementary techniques were simultaneously applied to study the Black Sea phytoplankton. The concentrations of 45 elements in the coastal phytoplankton communities used as bioindicator of inorganic contamination of the Black Sea coastal area near Sevastopol, Ukraine, were determined. Phytoplankton samples were collected by total tows of the plankton net with 35 μm pore size at 3 stations situated in polluted and relatively pristine water areas of the Sevastopol coastal zone during autumn period of the phytoplankton growth. The concentration of Mg, Al, Sc, Ti, V, Mn, As, Rb, Ba, Th and Fe, Cr increases exponentially from relatively pristine station to more polluted station and 10-times and 3-times greater, respectively, in the phytoplankton of the Sevastopol Bay. The rare-earth elements have relatively the same concentration values less than 1 μg/g and tend to accumulate in the phytoplankton from the polluted station in the Sevastopol Bay. The obtained results are in a good agreement with the elemental concentration data in the oceanic plankton, plankton communities from the White Sea and the Black Sea. Using energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry the mineral particles of unknown origin and impurities of copper (0.42% by weight) in the phytoplankton at the polluted station and zinc (0.57% by weight) at the relatively pristine station were determined.

Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy for the Quantitative Analysis of Pyrite Thin Specimens

To explore ways to improve the accuracy of quantitative analysis of samples in the micrometer to nanometer range of magnitudes,we adopted analytical transmission electron microscopy(AEM/EDS)for qualitative and quantitative analysis of pyrite materials.Additionally,the k factor of pyrite is calculated experimentally.To develop an appropriate non-standard quantitative analysis model for pyrite materials,the experimentally calculated k factor is compared with that estimated from the non-standard quantitative analytical model of the instrument software.The experimental findings demonstrate that the EDS attached to a TEM can be employed for precise quantitative analysis of micro-and nanoscale regions of pyrite materials.Furthermore,it serves as a reference for improving the results of the EDS quantitative analysis of other sulfides.

Recent progress on advanced transmission electron microscopy characterization for halide perovskite semiconductors

Halide perovskites are strategically important in the field of energy materials. Along with the rapid development of the materials and related devices, there is an urgent need to understand the structure–property relationship from nanoscale to atomic scale. Much effort has been made in the past few years to overcome the difficulty of imaging limited by electron dose,and to further extend the investigation towards operando conditions. This review is dedicated to recent studies of advanced transmission electron microscopy(TEM) characterizations for halide perovskites. The irradiation damage caused by the interaction of electron beams and perovskites under conventional imaging conditions are first summarized and discussed. Low-dose TEM is then discussed, including electron diffraction and emerging techniques for high-resolution TEM(HRTEM) imaging. Atomic-resolution imaging, defects identification and chemical mapping on halide perovskites are reviewed. Cryo-TEM for halide perovskites is discussed, since it can readily suppress irradiation damage and has been rapidly developed in the past few years. Finally, the applications of in-situ TEM in the degradation study of perovskites under environmental conditions such as heating,biasing, light illumination and humidity are reviewed. More applications of emerging TEM characterizations are foreseen in the coming future, unveiling the structural origin of halide perovskite’s unique properties and degradation mechanism under operando conditions, so to assist the design of a more efficient and robust energy material.

Application of Electron Microscopic on the Sources of PM_(10) in the Atmosphere

[ Objective] The aim was to study the application of scanning electron microscopy（SEM） on the physical property and ideological distri- bution of partials. [ Method] By dint of scanning electron microscopy, the morphological property of each source and main elements were analyzed. Compared with morphological property of sampling point, the source of particles was determined. [ Result] The results were consistent with the analysis of CMB8.2 chemical mass balance receptor model. Taking the four detection stations in Longyan Normal Training College, Minxi Vocational ＆ Technical College, Longyan University, and Longyan Environment Monitoring Station as examples, the major air pollutants respectively were soil sand, dust of burning coal, second fugitive dust; soil sand, second fugitive dust, vehicle exhausts; second fugitive dust, soil; and second fugitive dust, vehicle exhausts, dust of burning coal. [ Conclusion] The study result had certain guiding significance to the analysis of sources of particles in the atmosphere and atmosphere environment treatment.

Mssbauer and electron microscopy study of martensitic transformations in an Fe-Mn-Mo alloy

在 Fe-13.4wt% Mn-5.2wt%Mo 合金的热地导致的马氏体的运动、词法、结晶、磁性的特征被扫描电子 microscopySEM，传播电子 microscopyTEM。

硼砂煅制工艺优化及质量评价

目的 优化硼砂煅制工艺,并对其进行质量评价。方法 以铺设厚度、煅制温度、煅制时间为影响因素,失水率、蓬松度、粉碎率、四硼酸钠含量为评价指标,星点设计-效应面法优化硼砂煅制工艺。采用扫描电镜(SEM)、热重分析(TG)、拉曼光谱、X射线衍射(XRD),比较硼砂煅制前后质量差异。结果 最佳条件为铺设厚度2 cm,煅制温度365℃,煅制时间100 min。煅制后,硼砂微观形态、成分组成、晶型结构发生变化,失去全部结晶水而转变为非晶体状态。结论 该方法稳定可行,可用于工业大批量生产煅硼砂。

爆后岩石裂隙结构可视化及定量表征方法

爆后岩石破坏特征的定量表征一直是工程爆破领域急需解决的关键问题,爆后岩石裂纹萌生、扩展演化直至贯通的过程是导致岩石破裂的主要原因。为了研究被爆岩石内部裂纹扩展和断裂模式的演化过程,利用工业CT对爆后岩石进行扫描观测,通过图像堆栈矢量化处理构建岩石三维裂隙模型,并对裂纹结构特征参数进行统计分析,定量化表征岩石破坏程度及裂纹扩展情况。结合数值模拟分析爆炸冲击波压力的衰减规律,通过SEM电镜扫描试验研究爆破过程中不同位置岩石的微观形貌特征,对比断口元素成分变化与断裂模式的关联机制。研究结果表明:用等效球体方法对岩体内不同尺度裂隙结构进行统计分析,微裂隙数目多且分布均匀,主裂隙体积大且连通性较好。随着裂隙等效球体直径的增加,裂隙表面积和体积整体上呈上升趋势;三维重构裂隙结构中裂隙率可以表征岩石局部裂纹扩展特征,爆炸近区裂隙率和三维分形维数远大于爆炸中远区的裂隙率和分形维数,说明岩石破裂过程中裂隙扩展演化主要在此阶段进行;相较于爆炸中远区,爆炸近区冲击波压力峰值高且衰减速率慢,使得整个爆破过程岩石微观断裂模式变化较大,大致呈现出由沿晶断裂向穿晶断裂、脆性断裂向塑性破坏的方向进行,非金属元素质量的变化对于各阶段断裂模式转变具有显著影响,断裂模式转变区域非金属元素质量发生明显减小。随着爆破作用的减弱,岩石破裂逐渐趋于无序和紊乱,破裂时断口也不限于解理面和晶粒边界。

馆藏汉代瓦当表面可溶盐的化学组成分析

采用离子色谱仪(IC),扫描电子显微镜-能谱仪(SEM-EDS),X射线衍射仪(XRD)和傅里叶变化显微红外光谱仪(FTIR)等现代分析仪器,对陕西历史博物馆馆藏的汉代瓦当表面可溶盐进行了鉴定,并分析了相关的化学组成。结果表明,瓦当表面可溶盐含有石膏(Ca SO_(4)·2H_(2)O)和有机酸钙盐[Ca_(3)(CH_(3)COO)_(3)Cl(NO_(3))_(2)·6H_(2)O]等成分。

Bis(phthalocyaninato)yttrium Grown on Au(111): Electronic Structure of a Single Molecule and the Stability of Two- dimensional Films Investigated by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy/Spectroscopy at 4.8 K

Scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy(STM/STS)at 4.8 K has been used to examine the growth of a double-decker bis(phthalocyaninato)yttrium(YP_(c2))molecule on a reconstructed Au(111)substrate.Local differential conductance spectra(dI/dV)of a single YPc2 molecule allow the characteristics of the highest occupied molecular orbital(HOMO)and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital(LUMO)to be identified.Furthermore,lateral distributions of the local density of states(LDOS)have also been obtained by dI/dV mapping and confirmed by first principles simulations.These electronic feature mappings and theoretical calculations provide a basis for understanding the unique STM morphology of YPc2,which is usually imaged as an eight-lobed structure.In addition,we demonstrate that bias-dependent STM morphologies and simultaneous dI/dV maps can provide a way of understanding the stability of two-dimensional YP_(c2) films.

Superconducting state in Ba_((1-x)) Sr_(x)Ni_(2)As_(2) near the quantum critical point

In the phase diagram of the nickel-based superconductor Ba_(1-x)Sr_(x)Ni_(2)As_(2),T_(C) has been found to be enhanced sixfold near the quantum critical point(QCP) x=0.71 compared with the parent compound.However,the mechanism is still under debate.Here,we report a detailed investigation of the superconducting properties near the QCP(x≈0.7) by utilizing scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy.The temperature-dependent superconducting gap and magnetic vortex state were obtained and analyzed in the framework of the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer model.The ideal isotropic s-wave superconducting gap excludes the long-speculated nematic fluctuations while preferring strong electron-phonon coupling as the mechanism for T_(C) enhancement near the QCP.The lower than expected gap ratio of Δ/(k_(B) T_(C)) is rooted in the fact that Ba_(1-x)Sr_(x)Ni_(2)As_(2) falls into the dirty limit with a serious pair breaking effect similar to the parent compound.

扫描电子显微镜和能谱仪在玻璃结石成分分析中的应用

玻璃中常见各种结石缺陷,利用透反偏光显微镜可以初步判定玻璃结石的种类,但无法分析结石的成分,且处理样品效率较低。以硅质析晶结石、铝质耐火材料结石、锆质耐火材料结石为例,利用扫描电子显微镜和能谱仪分析结石,可以快速测定结石成分,辨别结石种类,进而推断结石形成的原因。采用该方法可及时准确调整生产,解决玻璃生产中产生结石问题。

Effectiveness of Sodium Silicate on the Corrosion Protection of AA7075-T6 Aluminium Alloy in Sodium Chloride Solution

The influence of sodium silicate on the corrosion behaviour of aluminium alloy 7075-T6 in 0.1 M sodium chloride solution was studied by open circuit potential (OCP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the AA7075-T6 surface. Silicate can significantly reduce corrosion deterioration and the inhibition efficiency increases with the concentration of Na2SiO3. The corrosion inhibition mechanism involves the formation of a protective film over the alloy surface by adsorption of aluminosilicate anions from solution, as has also been suggested by others in literature.

金属物证检验及其在法庭科学领域中的应用

金属物证在法庭科学领域的应用由来已久,其检验通常归于微量物证的检验范畴。金属物证通常以金属颗粒、附着物或熔融态出现在杀人、盗窃、枪击、电气火灾等多种类型的案事件中,检验方法通常包括扫描电镜–能谱法、金相检验法、X射线荧光光谱法、电感耦合等离子体质谱法等多种方法。通过金属物证的检验,可以起到确定案事件性质、提供侦查线索以及完善证据链的作用。本文通过对近年来国内法庭科学领域金属物证检验文献进行提取,以知识图谱分析工具VOSviewer进行分析,就金属物证的多种检验方法进行综述,了解其在法庭科学领域的应用现状,旨在为涉案金属物证的提取和检验提供借鉴作用。

某燃气锅炉过热器管失效分析及预防措施

针对某100 t/h燃气蒸汽锅炉在安装调试运行阶段低温过热器管泄漏事故,通过采用渗透检测、力学性能试验、金相分析、扫描电镜及能谱分析等检测方法,对该锅炉低温过热器管泄漏原因进行了试验分析,提出了该类型锅炉在制造或安装阶段质量控制的优化方案,对同类型锅炉制造和安装质量控制及检验检测提供了一定的参考依据。

Chevron-type graphene nanoribbons with a reduced energy band gap:Solution synthesis,scanning tunneling microscopy and electrical characterization

Graphene nanoribbons(GNRs)attract a growing interest due to their tunable physical properties and promise for device applications.A variety of atomically precise GNRs have recently been synthesized by on-surface and solution approaches.While on-surface GNRs can be conveniently visualized by scanning tunneling microscopy(STM),and their electronic structure can be probed by scanning tunneling spectroscopy(STS),such characterization remains a great challenge for the solution-synthesized GNRs.Here,we report solution synthesis and detailed STM/STS characterization of atomically precise GNRs with a meandering shape that are structurally related to chevron GNRs but have a reduced energy band gap.The ribbons were synthesized by Ni0-mediated Yamamoto polymerization of specially designed molecular precursors using triflates as the leaving groups and oxidative cyclodehydrogenation of the resulting polymers using Scholl reaction.The ribbons were deposited onto III-V semiconducting InAs(110)substrates by a dry contact transfer technique.High-resolution STM/STS characterization not only confirmed the GNR geometry,but also revealed details of electronic structure including energy states,electronic band gap,as well as the spatial distribution of the local density of states.The experimental STS band gap of GNRs is about 2 eV,which is very close to 2.35 eV predicted by the density functional theory simulations with GW correction,indicating a weak screening effect of InAs(110)substrate.Furthermore,several aspects of GNR-InAs(110)substrate interactions were also probed and analyzed,including GNR tunable transparency,alignment to the substrate,and manipulations of GNR position by the STM tip.The weak interaction between the GNRs and the InAs(110)surface makes InAs(110)an ideal substrate for investigating the intrinsic properties of GNRs.Because of the reduced energy band gap of these ribbons,the GNR thin films exhibit appreciably high electrical conductivity and on/off ratios of about 10 in field-effect transistor measurements,suggesting their promise for device applications.

Visualizing quantum phenomena at complex oxide interfaces:An atomic view from scanning transmission electron microscopy

Complex oxide interfaces have been one of the central focuses in condensed matter physics and ma-terial science.Over the past decade,aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and spectroscopy has proven to be invaluable to visualize and understand the emerging quantum phenomena at an interface.In this paper,we briefly review some recent progress in the utilization of electron microscopy to probe interfaces.Specifically,we discuss several important challenges for electron microscopy to advance our understanding on interface phenomena,from the perspective of variable temperature,magnetism,electron energy loss spectroscopy analysis,electronic symmetry,and defects probing.