The Application of Ultra-Thin Sectioning Techniques to Non-Biological Samples

Author(s):  
C. F. Oster

Although ultra-thin sectioning techniques are widely used in the biological sciences, their applications are somewhat less popular but very useful in industrial applications. This presentation will review several specific applications where ultra-thin sectioning techniques have proven invaluable.The preparation of samples for sectioning usually involves embedding in an epoxy resin. Araldite 6005 Resin and Hardener are mixed so that the hardness of the embedding medium matches that of the sample to reduce any distortion of the sample during the sectioning process. No dehydration series are needed to prepare our usual samples for embedding, but some types require hardening and staining steps. The embedded samples are sectioned with either a prototype of a Porter-Blum Microtome or an LKB Ultrotome III. Both instruments are equipped with diamond knives.In the study of photographic film, the distribution of the developed silver particles through the layer is important to the image tone and/or scattering power. Also, the morphology of the developed silver is an important factor, and cross sections will show this structure.

1958 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey M. Glauert ◽  
R. H. Glauert

Epoxy resins are suitable media for embedding for electron microscopy, as they set uniformly with virtually no shrinkage. A mixture of araldite epoxy resins has been developed which is soluble in ethanol, and which yields a block of the required hardness for thin sectioning. The critical modifications to the conventional mixtures are the choice of a plasticized resin in conjunction with an aliphatic anhydride as the hardener. The hardness of the final block can be varied by incorporating additional plasticizer, and the rate of setting can be controlled by the use of an amine accelerator. The properties of the araldite mixture can be varied quite widely by adjusting the proportions of the various constituents. The procedure for embedding biological specimens is similar to that employed with methacrylates, although longer soaking times are recommended to ensure the complete penetration of the more viscous epoxy resin. An improvement in the preservation of the fine structure of a variety of specimens has already been reported, and a typical electron microgram illustrates the present paper.


Author(s):  
J. L. Farrant ◽  
J. D. McLean

For electron microscope techniques such as ferritin-labeled antibody staining it would be advantageous to have available a simple means of thin sectioning biological material without subjecting it to lipid solvents, impregnation with plastic monomers and their subsequent polymerization. With this aim in view we have re-examined the use of protein as an embedding medium. Gelatin which has been used in the past is not very satisfactory both because of its fibrous nature and the high temperature necessary to keep its solutions fluid. We have found that globular proteins such as the serum and egg albumins can be cross-linked so as to yield blocks which are suitable for ultrathin sectioning.


Author(s):  
Charchit Kumar ◽  
Alejandro Palacios ◽  
Venkata A. Surapaneni ◽  
Georg Bold ◽  
Marc Thielen ◽  
...  

The surfaces of animals, plants and abiotic structures are not only important for organismal survival, but they have also inspired countless biomimetic and industrial applications. Additionally, the surfaces of animals and plants exhibit an unprecedented level of diversity, and animals often move on the surface of plants. Replicating these surfaces offers a number of advantages, such as preserving a surface that is likely to degrade over time, controlling for non-structural aspects of surfaces, such as compliance and chemistry, and being able to produce large areas of a small surface. In this paper, we compare three replication techniques among a number of species of plants, a technical surface and a rock. We then use two model parameters (cross-covariance function ratio and relative topography difference) to develop a unique method for quantitatively evaluating the quality of the replication. Finally, we outline future directions that can employ highly accurate surface replications, including ecological and evolutionary studies, biomechanical experiments, industrial applications and improving haptic properties of bioinspired surfaces. The recent advances associated with surface replication and imaging technology have formed a foundation on which to incorporate surface information into biological sciences and to improve industrial and biomimetic applications. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Bioinspired materials and surfaces for green science and technology’.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Durgaprasad Kollipara ◽  
Prabhakar Gope VNB ◽  
Raja Loya

Composites have tremendous applicability due to their excellent capabilities. The performance of composites mainly depends on the reinforcing material applied. A Graphene nanoparticle (GNP) is successful as an efficient reinforcing material due to its versatile as well as superior properties. Even at very low content, graphene can dramatically improve the properties of polymer and metal matrix composites. In this paper the effects of GNP on composites based on epoxy resin were analyzed. Different contents of GNP (0 – 4.5 vol. %) were added to the epoxy resin. The GNP/epoxy composite was fabricated under room temperature. Mechanical tests result such as tensile, flexural and hardness test show enhancements of the mechanical properties of the GNP/epoxy composite. The experimental results clearly show an improvement in Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and hardness as compared to pure epoxy. The results of this research are strong evidence for GNP/epoxy composites being a potential candidate for use in a variety of industrial applications, especially for automobile parts, aircraft components, and electronic parts such as super capacitors, transistors, etc.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vahid Nasrollahi ◽  
Pavel Penchev ◽  
Stefan Dimov ◽  
Lars Korner ◽  
Richard Leach ◽  
...  

Laser microprocessing is a very attractive option for a growing number of industrial applications due to its intrinsic characteristics, such as high flexibility and process control and also capabilities for noncontact processing of a wide range of materials. However, there are some constrains that limit the applications of this technology, i.e., taper angles on sidewalls, edge quality, geometrical accuracy, and achievable aspect ratios of produced structures. To address these process limitations, a new method for two-side laser processing is proposed in this research. The method is described with a special focus on key enabling technologies for achieving high accuracy and repeatability in two-side laser drilling. The pilot implementation of the proposed processing configuration and technologies is discussed together with an in situ, on-machine inspection procedure to verify the achievable positional and geometrical accuracy. It is demonstrated that alignment accuracy better than 10 μm is achievable using this pilot two-side laser processing platform. In addition, the morphology of holes with circular and square cross sections produced with one-side laser drilling and the proposed method was compared in regard to achievable aspect ratios and holes' dimensional and geometrical accuracy and thus to make conclusions about its capabilities.


2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1678-1687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Pierre Da Costa ◽  
Stefan Oprean ◽  
Pierre Baylou ◽  
Christian Germain

AbstractThough three-dimensional (3D) imaging gives deep insight into the inner structure of complex materials, the stereological analysis of 2D snapshots of material sections is still necessary for large-scale industrial applications for reasons related to time and cost constraints. In this paper, we propose an original framework to estimate the orientation distribution of generalized cylindrical structures from a single 2D section. Contrary to existing approaches, knowledge of the cylinder cross-section shape is not necessary. The only requirement is to know the area distribution of the cross-sections. The approach relies on minimization of a least squares criterion under linear equality and inequality constraints that can be solved with standard optimization solvers. It is evaluated on synthetic data, including simulated images, and is applied to experimental microscopy images of fibrous composite structures. The results show the relevance and capabilities of the approach though some limitations have been identified regarding sensitivity to deviations from the assumed model.


Author(s):  
Federico Maria Ballo ◽  
Massimiliano Gobbi ◽  
Giampiero Mastinu ◽  
Amir Pishdad

As lightweight design assumes greater importance in road vehicles development, the present paper is mainly devoted to the structural optimization of a brake caliper. In the first part of the study a simplified finite element model based on beam elements of a brake caliper has been developed and validated. By using the developed model, a multi-objective optimization has been completed. The total mass of the caliper and the deformations at some critical locations have been minimised. The considered design variables are related to the shape of the caliper and the cross sections of the beam elements. The obtained optimal solutions are characterized by an asymmetric shape of the caliper. Optimised symmetric shapes currently used have been compared with the asymmetric ones in terms of performance. In the second part of the study, a detailed analysis on the optimal caliper shape has been carried out by performing a structural topology optimization. The minimum compliance problem has been solved using the SIMP (solid isotropic material with penalization) approach and the optimal solution has been compared with the ones obtained by applying the multi-objective optimization on the simplified model (beam elements). The obtained design solutions represent a good starting point for future developments in actual industrial applications.


2006 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 50-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Ann Ellis

In a recent paper on the revised formulation of Spurr low viscosity embedding medium with ERL 4221 the importance of maintaining an appropriate anhydride:epoxide (A:E) ratio was discussed. By understanding a few simple concepts about epoxy resin formulations and setting up a formulation table it is possible to create new resin mixtures with good sectioning properties and other desirable properties such as decreased viscosity and increased beam stability.Before starting a formulation you need to know the molecular weight of the anhydride and the WPE (weight per epoxide equivalent) of the epoxy resin component. The molecular weights and WPEs are usually printed on the bottle or can be obtained from the vendor. An A:E ratio of 0.7:1.0 -1.0:1.0 is used for most biological specimens. Increasing the A:E ratio results in a harder block; decreasing the A:E ratio results in a softer block. Table 1 shows a basic formulation spreadsheet where the molecular weights of the anhydrides and the WPEs of the epoxy resin components can be entered. The A:E ratio is entered under the anhydride for the molar ratio and the molar ratios of the epoxy components are entered under the epoxy components. The calculations are done as shown in each column and row.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Thomas ◽  
Charles Manful ◽  
Thu Pham

Abstract IntroductionMonoacetyldiglycerides (MAcDG), are acetylated triglycerides (TG) and an emerging class of bioactive or functional lipid with promising nutritional, medical, and industrial applications. A major challenge exists when analyzing MAcDG from other subclasses of TG in biological matrices, limiting knowledge on their applications and metabolism. Objective and MethodsHere in we demonstrate a multimodal analytical method for resolution, identification and quantitation of MAcDG in biological samples based on thin layer chromatography-flame ionization detection complimentary with C30-reversed phase liquid chromatography-high resolution accurate mass tandem mass spectrometry. We further apply this method to determine the MAcDG molecular species composition and quantity in E. solidaginis larvae. Results and ConclusionThese findings suggest that the proposed analytical method could simultaneously provide a fast, accurate, sensitive, high throughput analysis of MAcDG from other TG subclasses, including the fatty acids, isomers and molecular species composition. We believe this method will allow for MAcDG to be included during routine lipidomics analysis of biological samples and will have broad interests and applications in the scientific community in areas such as nutrition, climate change, medicine and biofuel innovations.


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