A Joint Facility of the Departments of Biology and Geology Bates College Lewiston, Maine, 04240 Contact: EM Lab: (207) 786-6494 or Greg Anderson (207)786-6110 Email: ganderso@bates.edu This laboratory is also affiliated with:  Example images from students and staff Faculty and Staff  Biology  Geology Robert Thomas Dyk Eusden Greg Anderson, Assistant in Instruction, EM Tech John Creasy   Top of page.  About the Laboratory The Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Microanalysis Laboratory is a shared facility of the Biology and Geology Departments at Bates College. The lab is based upon an analytical SEM (JEOL JSM-6100 with a Noran/ Kevex Sigma Quantum EDS System) and is used by faculty and students for research, teaching, and outreach programs in Biology, Geology, and Chemistry. For information about demonstrations or outreach programming, contact: Greg Anderson 207-786-6110 ganderso@bates.edu   Greg Anderson working with high school students during a summer program in 1997.  Our Academic Program Two courses -one in biology and one in geology - are offered and serve as the primary mode of training students in electron microscopy. Robert Thomas (Biology) teaches the Short Term course Bio s41, a course focused on biological applications of electron microscopy. Dyk Eusden (Geology) teaches Geo 325, a course which covers the fundamentals of scanning electron microscopy and then focuses on x-ray microanalysis applications to geological problems. John Creasy (Geology) regularly incorporates microanalysis projects into his geochemistry course (Geo 223). Greg Anderson, Assistant in Instruction in Biology, overseas activities in the lab and assists in all these courses, providing much of the hands-on training, and provides outreach programming. Students and staff are also trained via small group or individual tutorials on an as need basis.     JEOL JSM-6100 SEM with Thermo/Noran SIGMA EDS System  Microscopy and Microanalysis Training Training in the use of the SEM/EDS system is available by taking Bio 341 or Geo 325, or by arranging for a tutorial with Greg Anderson. Students are encouraged to take one of the courses, if possible. The two EM courses are generally offered in alternate years. Our training approach grounds the student in the fundamental theory and operation of the systems so that they can think through problems of sample preparation and use the technologies to their best advantage. Our laboratory exercises focus on both theoretical and practical applications of the technologies to reinforce basic understanding of electron optical systems, beam-specimen interactions, and sample preparation. Both the biology and geology EM courses culminate in individual projects, often related to thesis or independent study problems, that encourage the student to apply and broaden their working knowledge of the technologies. Top of page. Equipment  SEM  EDS  Other Equipment Scanning Electron Microscope The JEOL JSM-6100 scanning electron microscope (SEM) was acquired in 1990. This instrument is one of the first SEMs equipped with digital imaging capabilities and includes secondary and backscatter detectors. It is equipped with a standard tungsten filament gun and offers resolution of approximately 5-10 nm at 30 kV. We have an infra-red chamber-cam which allows the operator to view the sample chamber while in operation and reduces chances of damaging collisions. All imaging is now done digitally via the EDS system using AIA2 digital imaging software and can be exported via the network. For teaching and demonstrations we can project real time digital images from the SEM in our main lecture halls through the video projection system in conjunction with two way voice communication. Top of page.  Aphid feeding on a moss of the genus Polytrichum. (photo: R.Thomas)     Top of page Energy Dispersive Spectrometer The SEM is equipped with a Noran/KEVEX SuperDry Quantum Energy Dispersive Spectrometer and Sigma Level 3 X-ray microanalysis software. The SuperDry detector is cooled electronically by pelltier technology and is equipped with a beryllium window allowing limited detection of light elements. This system enables quantitative spectrum analysis with and without standards, x-ray mapping, principal components analysis, and digital image acquisition. Top of page.   Related Support Equipment and Services Denton Vacuum DV1 Carbon Coater; attachments for rods or yarn (1997) Anatech Sputter Coater with Au/Pd target (1990) Ladd Research CO2 Critical Point Dryer (1990) Two complete darkrooms with enlargers and Polaroid copy stand VCR and monitor linked to SEM for real-time videotaping Image analysis software (AIA2) HP 800PS Plotter Fume hood Dry mount press Complete machine shop and machinist Top of page. Sources of funding and other support We are grateful for support, both as grants and in-kind contributions to the following organizations and individuals: National Science Foundation Hughes Biomedical Foundation grants to Bates College JEOL USA Ltd, Peabody, MA Thermo-Fisher/ KEVEX, Inc. Dr. Ada Olins, Foundation for Blood Research, Scarborough, ME David Harling, JEOL USA Ltd, Peabody, MA Melissa Chickering, Bates '95, formerly of KEVEX, Inc. Amphenol, Inc.     Example images from the lab Diatom from high arctic lake sediment.   Tabitha Abrazinski 2005 This image of a freeze fractured frog gastrula is a composite of 132 individual frames that were stitched together using Adobe Photoshop. The original image is 1:1 x350 mag. Overlying images were taken at different depths to achieve greater depth of field.   Distribution of silica in a stem cross section of horsetail rush (Equisetum) viewed by x-ray mapping. Laboratory for Electron Microscopy and X-ray Microanalysis B-10 Carnegie Science Building 44 Campus Avenue Bates College Lewiston, ME 04240 Lab: (207) 786-6494 or Greg Anderson: 786-6110 Top of page. Copyright 2008 Bates College Modified on 6-11-08 gja