Xrf analysis company by MicroVision Laboratories, Inc.? Using light microscopes to examine the optical and structural properties of samples is one of the oldest and most useful analytical techniques. MicroVision Labs has several high magnification microscopes, including a powerful Zeiss Axiotech microscope capable of 1800x optical magnification, with additional digital magnification, allowing for visualization of sub-micron structures. PLM allows for the identification of a wide range of particles through the examination of the internal birefringence, or variation in optical indices, within a sample.
The SEM was used to examine the crystal morphology, and the EDS spectrum showed primarily carbon and oxygen, with small amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous. This indicated an organic material as the primary component. Because the SEM-EDS analysis showed the material was primarily a carbon based organic crystalline material, a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) examination was performed on the suspect material. This analysis provides necessary information about the functional groups of the organic material in order to identify the unknown organic.
Also, the color EDS map highlights the iron particles in the mineral filled PVC floor. These iron particles were concentrated in areas were the tile showed signs of impact which indicated some metallic object impacted the tile leaving behind small particles and over time the materials oxidized which created darker spots in the tile. The data indicated that a significant portion of the dust was from the insulation in the attic. The contractor had replaced a portion of duct work running to the master bedroom. During this replacement, fiberglass insulation was knocked into the ducting. The small glass insulation fibers were spread through the AC ducts and settling out of the air throughout the house. The client was relieved to know what was causing their skin irritation and the significant dust build up. Using the results garnered from the analysis from MicroVision Labs they were able to have the contractor clean out the duct work and act to prevent further spread of the insulation fibers and properly clean up the settled dust in the house that was the cause of the homeowner’s skin irritation.
Do you do any animal testing? No. Do you analyze any tissue samples or blood samples? No. We do not do any blood analyses and we are not set up to prepare tissue samples. What are some of the cool samples you have looked at under the scanning electron microscope? We have seen 10,000 year old Wolly Mammoth hair, meteorites, an artificial heart valve, civil war bullets, insulin pumps, rare colonial coins, a kidney stone, and a few things we can’t talk about. But some of the more mundane samples, like wood or salt crystals, have proven to be extremely interesting subjects to image. Read a few more info at https://microvisionlabs.com/imaging-technology/.
Examining the sample with a polarized light microscope (PLM), it was darker and coarser than expected for a mold sample. The dust appeared to be a closed cell, synthetic blown foam material, and all from the same source. The black color was likely due to pigment particles added to color the foam. Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy was performed on the foam particles. The spectrum showed a mixture of spectral features, associated with vinyl acetates, polyurethane, and cellulose or other sugar-like polymers. Based on these features, a common urethane acetate foam was determined as the likely source material.
MicroVision Laboratories, Inc. has been providing extensive expertise in micro-analytical techniques (FE-SEM, SEM, EDS, XRF, FTIR testing, PLM, X-Ray Imaging, DIC) and sample preparation since 2003. Our cutting edge, high-performance equipment combined with our solutions-focused customer service provide critical solutions for clients hailing from a broad range of industries ranging from medical to semiconductor, and from environmental to textile. Discover even more details at https://microvisionlabs.com/.
