Sample Preparation and Manipulation for Microanalysis (1501V), June 25–27, 2024 Online
This three-day course will be conducted live via Zoom. For more details, email registrar@mcri.org.
COURSE OUTLINE & SYLLABUS
Course schedule: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. all three days (Central Time, U.S. and Canada). There will be a one-hour break for lunch and several short breaks throughout the day.
The course will consist of live demonstration and training in a variety of techniques of small particle handling. All course material will be presented in the lectures and manual. Overview of microphysical preparation techniques, workspace ergonomics, and important tips and “tricks of the trade” for handling small particles will be included. There is no prerequisite for this course.
The course will consist of live demonstration and training in a variety of techniques of small particle handling. All course material will be presented in the lectures and manual. Overview of microphysical preparation techniques, workspace ergonomics, and important tips and “tricks of the trade” for handling small particles will be included. There is no prerequisite for this course.
Day 1
- Setup of stereomicroscope and work area
- Introduction to tungsten needles, parking slides, and glass blocks
- Micropipettes and their uses
- Making tungsten needles, parking slides, glass blocks, and micropipettes
- Combining the use of tungsten needles and micropipettes
Day 2
- Introduction to polarized light microscopy (PLM): basic microscope setup and observations with the PLM
- Microchemistry
- Making and using mini coverslips for PLM preparation
- Solvent extractions
Day 3
- Basic and advanced FTIR preparation
- Making tools for FTIR preparation
- Cutting and sectioning samples
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) preparation