The Microscope - Volume 57, Third Quarter 2009

IN THIS ISSUE:

On the cover: This image of annabergite mineral crystals by Dr. David Babulski was created utilizing a Motic K400 stereomicroscope with an attached Camera Lucida drawing device and then rendered on paper with pencil and watercolor paint. See the “Creating Mineral Art” abstract by Thomas J. Hopen from Inter/Micro 2009.

Editorial: Endomicroscopy and the New Microscopic Microscopes

Gary J. Laughlin
The Microscope, 57 (3), p ii, 2009.
Excerpt: This year, several organizations are currently reporting success with fluorescence and confocal laser systems on new microscopes that are being used by some hospitals to help medical doctors practice and improve gastrointestinal and lung endoscopy. Called endomicroscopes, these new instruments allow doctors to image cells in real time with high magnification (1,000x) and resolving power ranges between 1 and 3 micrometers. These new microscopes are said to be easy-to-use and compatible with existing endoscopes. Full article (PDF)

Inter/Micro 2009

Gary J. Laughlin
The Microscope, 57 (3), pp 99 – 113, 2009.
Excerpt: Inter/Micro celebrated its 61st anniversary in 2009, reaffirming its reputation as the best and most enduring microscopy conference of its kind. Professional and amateur microscopists, working in all areas of light and electron microscopy, gathered early July at the historic Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel in downtown Chicago for the first three days. … Inter/Micro 2009 included presentations on such diverse subjects and titles as Essential Photoshop for the Microscopist, Optical Characterization of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Microscopy and Lab Accreditation, Interpretation of Gunshot Residue Patterns Without the Firearm, The Next Step in Laser Confocal Technology, and Indian Yellow: Historical Pigment and Modern Confusion. Prof. Brian J. Ford, meanwhile, probed the world of plagiarism in The Cheat and the Microscope, the topic of his annual Evening With Brian talk. Full article (PDF)

News: Lucy B. McCrone Honored by Georgia Microscopical Society

Thomas J. Hopen
The Microscope, 57 (3), pp 115 – 116, 2009.
Excerpt: The Georgia Microscopical Society is very proud to present the organizations 2009 Honorary Achievement Award to Lucy B. McCrone for her Dedication to the Education and Advancement of Microscopy. Lucy accepted the award at the Inter/Micro 2009 Banquet in Chicago this past July. Full article (PDF)

Whats in the Pot? An Investigation Into the Use of a Byzantine Ceramic Vessel

Meggan King
The Microscope, 57 (3), pp 117 – 120, 2009.
Abstract: During the 2007 excavation season at the Byzantine city of Amorium, a shard of ceramic with an associated residue, which was believed to have been in the interior of this piece of ceramic vessel, was collected and submitted to the author for analysis. The study was divided into two parts: analysis of the residue and analysis of the ceramic shard. Identification of the residue revealed that the ceramic may have been used as a water vessel in the past. Characterization of the ceramic shard could yield information regarding the source material and manufacturing process of the vessel. Full article (PDF)

Tricks of the Trade: Make Your Own Central-Stop Dispersion Staining Objective

Meggan King
The Microscope, 57 (3), pp 123 – 125, 2009.
Excerpt: Although the concept for making a DS objective has been mentioned in microscopy classrooms and in the literature of the past, I thought it might be useful to describe a more detailed procedure for making your own central-stop DS objective. I have also included a few tricks that I have learned and a review of the correct way for setting up your microscope for central-stop DS. Full article (PDF)

Analysis of Carbon Nanotubes in Air

J.R. Millette, W.B. Hill, S.M. Hays and W.L. Turner Jr.
The Microscope, 57 (3), pp 127 – 132, 2009.
Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are extremely small particles composed of networks of carbon atoms formed into cylinders with diameters in the nanometer range. The results of initial tests demonstrate that airborne carbon nanotubes can be collected successfully on membrane filters using standard air-monitoring cassettes. This paper presents the methodology for the analysis of carbon nanotubes by transmission electron microscopy. Full article (PDF)

The Microscope Past: 40 Years Ago | The Simple Scheme for the Individualization of Human Hair

H.P. Anderson
The Microscope, 57 (3), pp 135 – 138, 2009. Originally published in The Microscope, 17 (4), October 1969.
Abstract: A major problem in police laboratories, and criminalistics generally, is the individualization of human hairs found at crime scenes. If possible, this would be a great aid in establishing guilt or innocence of suspects. An easily measured characteristic of human hair is the shape and size of cortical scales. A simple procedure for preparing a replica of the hair surface, for observation of the scales and for sizing scales is presented. Full article (PDF)