The Microscope – Volume 66, Fourth Quarter 2018
IN THIS ISSUE
On the cover
Solution phase transformation of HMX Form II (upper left) to HMX Form I (lower right) (45 minutes later) in acetone at room temperature. Photomicrographs are reproduced from Walter C. McCrone’s original 1944 research on explosives during World War II. See Editorial: A Legacy of Polymorphism in Crystals, page ii.
Editorial | A Legacy of Polymorphism in Crystals
Gary J. LaughlinThe Microscope 66:4, p. ii, 2018https://doi.org/10.59082/IMHR5846
Excerpt: Joel Bernstein, Global Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at NYU, contacted me about 3 years ago seeking permission to use some of Walter McCrone’s texts and figures in reference to an article published in The Microscope in 1982 and in classroom appendices from when he had attended our Chemical Microscopy course at Cornell University in 1984.
Asbestos-Containing Materials Associated with Steam Locomotives and Railroad Equipment
James R. Millette, William M. Ewing, Christopher DePasquale, and Steven Compton
The Microscope 66:4, pp. 147–156, 2018https://doi.org/10.59082/CWBC1349
Abstract: Steam-powered locomotives have been in operation since the 1830s, and since the late 1800s, most of the steam systems were insulated with asbestos-containing material (ACM). Other ACM associated with railroads included gaskets, packing, rope, brakes, and construction materials. Most steam-era locomotives were removed from service during the 1950s, although some continued operating into the 1960s. Steam locomotives today are used in the U.S. only for scenic and heritage tours, while many remain as static displays in towns and museums around the country. The results of bulk samples collected from steam locomotives on display demonstrate that large quantities of ACM remain associated with this old equipment. Amosite and chrysotile were the most common forms of asbestos found in U.S. stock, although crocidolite and anthophyllite have been reported in the scientific literature in other countries. Organizations undertakingto restore steam locomotives should apply recognized asbestos control measures when disturbing or removing these materials.
Abstract: Steam-powered locomotives have been in operation since the 1830s, and since the late 1800s, most of the steam systems were insulated with asbestos-containing material (ACM). Other ACM associated with railroads included gaskets, packing, rope, brakes, and construction materials. Most steam-era locomotives were removed from service during the 1950s, although some continued operating into the 1960s. Steam locomotives today are used in the U.S. only for scenic and heritage tours, while many remain as static displays in towns and museums around the country. The results of bulk samples collected from steam locomotives on display demonstrate that large quantities of ACM remain associated with this old equipment. Amosite and chrysotile were the most common forms of asbestos found in U.S. stock, although crocidolite and anthophyllite have been reported in the scientific literature in other countries. Organizations undertakingto restore steam locomotives should apply recognized asbestos control measures when disturbing or removing these materials.
Microcrystal Tests for the Identification of Illicit Drugs: Oxycodone
Kelly M. Brinsko, Dean Golemis, Meggan B. King, Gary J. Laughlin, and Sebastian B. SparengaThe Microscope 66:4, pp. 157–169, 2018
https://doi.org/10.59082/YJYC1614
Abstract: The Microscope is publishing monographs from McCrone Research Institute’s A Modern Compendium of Microcrystal Tests for Illicit Drugs and Diverted Pharmaceuticals (4th revision: September 13, 2021), which contains 19 different drugs and their microcrystal test reagents. This issue includes monographs for the following drug/reagents: • oxycodone/platinum bromide• oxycodone/potassium tri-iodide (Clarke’s I-KI, No. 1)• oxycodone/sodium carbonate The previous set of monographs were published in issue 66:2 (2018): morphine with gold bromide, morphine with Wagner’s reagent (IK-I, No. 1), and morphine with mercuric chloride. Monographs for remaining microcrystal tests will be published in subsequent issues.
Abstract: The Microscope is publishing monographs from McCrone Research Institute’s A Modern Compendium of Microcrystal Tests for Illicit Drugs and Diverted Pharmaceuticals (4th revision: September 13, 2021), which contains 19 different drugs and their microcrystal test reagents. This issue includes monographs for the following drug/reagents: • oxycodone/platinum bromide• oxycodone/potassium tri-iodide (Clarke’s I-KI, No. 1)• oxycodone/sodium carbonate The previous set of monographs were published in issue 66:2 (2018): morphine with gold bromide, morphine with Wagner’s reagent (IK-I, No. 1), and morphine with mercuric chloride. Monographs for remaining microcrystal tests will be published in subsequent issues.
Critical Focus | Feces, from Start to Finish
Brian J. FordThe Microscope 66:4, pp. 169–180, 2018https://doi.org/10.59082/EEDM2541
Excerpt: You must know the one about the dung beetle — walks into a bar and asks: “Is this stool taken?” It’s one of the few quotable jokes about excreta. Most are merely impolite (like, “people who complain about constipation are full of crap”). I daresay many of you thought that the title of this column was actually the editor’s comments on this article, scrawled dismissively on the draft and mistakenly set in type. But no — this time I really am looking at excreta. What I find so intriguing is that it has so many synonyms. Most physical human functions have a couple of alternatives (like breathing and respiring, or sweat and perspiration), but for excreta there is the longest list of all: dung, excrement, excretion, crap, poop (and poo), defecation, fecal matter, feces and feculence, deuce, motions, dirt, ordure, shit (and shite), manure, turd, scag (and scat), droppings, dags, sewage, guano, number two, waste, discharge, stool ... I have listed here far more than are included on collinsdictionary.com or even thesaurus.com, yet the list could certainly be further extended.
Tricks of the Trade | A Novel TEM Screen Pattern for Fiber Counting
Steven Compton
The Microscope 66:4, pp. 181–182, 2018https://doi.org/10.59082/GECA7366
Abstract: Electromagnetic wavelengths utilized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are invisible to the naked eye, therefore the image the TEM produces must be viewed indirectly by focusing the image onto a photographic plate, a digital image capture device, or a phosphor-coated fluorescent screen. Due to the response time (decay rate) achievable by phosphor materials, many TEM analysts prefer to use the phosphor screen for rapid functions, like scanning a grid opening for particles of interest or adjusting beam parameters.
The Microscope Past: 40 Years Ago | Application of the SEM to the Study of Metal Fractures
Stephen L. Melley and Charles R. Morin
The Microscope 66:4, pp. 183–186, 2018
Originally published in The Microscope, Vol. 26, Third Quarter, pp 143–153, 1978.
Abstract: Fractography has been used as a destructive test to determine metal quality, grain size, and quality of heat treatment since the 16th Century. The science of fractography began in the late 1930s when fracture textures were first related to the phenomena of hydrogenembrittlement. An understanding of the four basic fracture modes and precipitating causes can result in a more thorough understanding of the cause of fracture and can lead to an appropriate solution. The emergence of the SEM as a metallurgical research tool has been due to the tremendous wealth of knowledge that the SEM has provided in the last 15 years.
Author and Subject Indexes: Volume 66, 2018
The Microscope 66:4, pp. 187 - 190, 2018
Afterimage | Tetryl
Oppenheimer Goldberg — McCrone Research InstituteTwo polymorphic forms of the explosive Tetryl (trinitrophenyl nitramine) in a fusion preparation.
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