Big SEM: online

I recently got Milly the big SEM online. She had a ton off issues that I’ll chronicle in future posts. But rather than dwell on her past, let’s see what she can do.

Remember that 2mm stainless screw?  Here it is again, with my finger for scale:

<img decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-1464” src=”uploads/2015/05/IMG_20150521_202032.jpg

And here is the gap between two threads, up close and personal:

<img decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” class=”wp-image-1458 size-full” src=”uploads/2015/05/screw.gif

Here are some more samples. We’ll look at the stuff on the right-hand strip for now:

<img decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” class=”wp-image-1454 size-large” src=”uploads/2015/05/IMG_20150523_130226.jpg

They are (from top to bottom):

  1. Pollen from a random tree (not sure of the species). Those pods contain the pollen; the actual pollen is too small to see in that shot.
  2. dandelion seed. The SEM photos are of the bushy head and a single fiber.
  3. Highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (which we’ll skip for now)
  4. Crystalline boron

Pollen

<img decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” class=”aligncenter wp-image-1456 size-full” src=”uploads/2015/05/pollen_x0450.jpg

<img decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-1457” src=”uploads/2015/05/capture_20150523_162411.jpg

<img decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-1459” src=”uploads/2015/05/capture_20150523_163043.jpg

 

Dandelion seed head

<img decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-1460” src=”uploads/2015/05/capture_20150525_171048.jpg

 

Dandelion seed fiber

<img decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-1461” src=”uploads/2015/05/capture_20150523_194510.jpg

 

<img decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-1462” src=”uploads/2015/05/capture_20150523_160340.jpg

 

<img decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-1463” src=”uploads/2015/05/capture_20150523_153826.jpg

Boron

<img decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” class=”aligncenter wp-image-1453 size-full” src=”uploads/2015/05/boron-animated.gif

 

<img decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-1466” src=”uploads/2015/05/capture_20150523_202546.jpg

 

<img decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-1467” src=”uploads/2015/05/capture_20150523_203519.jpg

 

<img decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-1468” src=”uploads/2015/05/capture_20150523_203457.jpg

I’m still learning how to use Milly as a camera (so many variables!) but I’m really pleased with this first batch of shots.

Getting better contrast on organics will be a lot easier once I get the sputter coater online. There are a bunch more photos (including hematite and more) in the gallery.

 


Big SEM: online
https://hackerfriendly.com/big-sem-online/
Author
rob
Posted on
May 31, 2015
Licensed under