Scanning Electron Microscopy
The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is one of the most versatile and widely used tool of modern science as it allows the study of both morphology and composition of biological and physical materials.
Characterisation of fine particulate matter in terms of size, shape, and distribution as well as statistical analyses of these parameters, may be performed.
The Laboratory currently houses three SEMs which, together, provide a powerful analytical approach for many research or quality-control applications
Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope
An SEM operates by scanning an electron probe across a specimen which enables high resolution images of the morphology or topography of a specimen, with great depth of field, at very low or very high magnifications to be obtained. Compositional analysis of such a specimen maybe obtained by analysing the X-rays produced by the electron-specimen interaction. This enables detailed maps of elemental distribution to be produced from multi-phase materials or complex, bio-active materials.
