A TEM study of the microstructure of avian eggshells

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 1102-1103
Author(s):  
S. Q. Xiao ◽  
S. Baden ◽  
A. H. Heuer
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Nucleation And Growth ◽  
Growth Mechanisms ◽  
Shell Surface ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Polycrystalline Metals ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Nucleation And Growth Mechanisms

The avian eggshell is one of the most rapidly mineralizing biological systems known. In situ, 5g of calcium carbonate are crystallized in less than 20 hrs to fabricate the shell. Although there have been much work about the formation of eggshells, controversy about the nucleation and growth mechanisms of the calcite crystals, and their texture in the eggshell, still remain unclear. In this report the microstructure and microchemistry of avian eggshells have been analyzed using transmission electron microscope (TEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).Fresh white and dry brown eggshells were broken and fixed in Karnosky's fixative (kaltitanden) for 2 hrs, then rinsed in distilled H2O. Small speckles of the eggshells were embedded in Spurr medium and thin sections were made ultramicrotome.The crystalline part of eggshells are composed of many small plate-like calcite grains, whose plate normals are approximately parallel to the shell surface. The sizes of the grains are about 0.3×0.3×1 μm3 (Fig.l). These grains are not as closely packed as man-made polycrystalline metals and ceramics, and small gaps between adjacent grains are visible indicating the absence of conventional grain boundaries.

scholarly journals In situ Generation of Ruthenium Tetroxide and Osmium Tetroxide for the Physical Sciences and Their Reaction Indicators

2002 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 20-23
Author(s):  
Paul Beauregard
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscope ◽  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
Physical Sciences ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Ruthenium Tetroxide ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
In Situ Generation

Recently, there was a suggestion on the MSA listserver about the use of osmium tetroxide (OsO4 and how to handle it. One suggestion was that ampoules be scored, placed in a glass jar, and the ampoule smashed to release the contents. This seemed like a very unsafe way to use osmium tetroxide or ruthenium tetroxide. The purpose of this article is to suggest a way to generate smaller amounts of these compounds in a safer manner than smashing ampoules and wondering about what to do with the unused portion after staining or storing. Another purpose is to discuss a new reaction indicator for mainly osmium tetroxide. The use of a reaction specific indicator was mandatory for judging the level or degree to which staining had proceeded in thin sections for the transmission electron microscope (TEM).

In Situ Electron Microscope Investigations of the Growth and Structure of Thin Films

1968 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 376-377
Author(s):  
Thos. E. Hutchinson
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Nucleation And Growth ◽  
Time Sequence ◽  
Experimental Chamber ◽  
Growth Mechanisms ◽  
Sequence Of Events ◽  
Atom Clusters ◽  
Film Nucleation

Few areas of investigation have benefited more from the use of the electron microscope than thin films. This is most strikingly demonstrated by the state of knowledge of the structure and growth mechanisms prior to and subsequent to electron microscope investigations.The use of the electron microscope as an experimental chamber in which both growth and observation take place simultaneously, has been responsible primarily for the broad quasi-quantitative view of the process of formation of thin films we now hold. The great advantage of the in situ experimental arrangement lies in its ability to examine in detail the time sequence of events occuring during thin film nucleation and growth. Each stage in the process of formation of thin films has been examined, and although questions still remain as to the exact mechanisms involved, the general features are well characterized. These are nucleation of ad-atom clusters on the substrate, growth of the atom clusters both laterally and perpendicular to the substrate, coalescence of the nuclei into larger sub-units and finally, elimination of channels between the extended islands.

SEM Examination of a Used Diamond Knife

1971 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 452-453
Author(s):  
J. Temple Black
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscope ◽  
High Voltage ◽  
High Magnification ◽  
Metallic Materials ◽  
Wide Spread ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Scanning Transmission ◽  
Scanning Electron ◽  
Diamond Knife

Since its introduction by Fernandez-Moran, the diamond knife has gained wide spread usage as a common material for cutting of thin sections of biological and metallic materials into thin films for examination in the transmission electron microscope. With the development of high voltage E.M. and scanning transmission E.M., microtomy applications will become increasingly important in the preparation of specimens. For those who can afford it, the diamond knife will thus continue to be an important tool to accomplish this effort until a cheaper but equally strong and sharp tool is found to replace the diamond, glass not withstanding.In Figs. 1 thru 3, a first attempt was made to examine the edge of a used (β=45°) diamond knife by means of the scanning electron microscope. Because diamond is conductive, first examination was tried without any coating of the diamond. However, the contamination at the edge caused severe charging during imaging. Next, a thin layer of carbon was deposited but charging was still extensive at high magnification - high voltage settings. Finally, the knife was given a light coating of gold-palladium which eliminated the charging and allowed high magnification micrographs to be made with reasonable resolution.

Crystal structure images of large gold clusters and growing crystals by HRTEM

1984 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 428-429
Author(s):  
L.R. Wallenberg ◽  
J.-O. Bovin ◽  
G. Schmid
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Nucleation And Growth ◽  
Close Packing ◽  
Gold Clusters ◽  
Molecular Weight Determination ◽  
Growth Mechanisms ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Nucleation And Growth Mechanisms ◽  
Points Of View

Metallic clusters are interesting from various points of view, e.g. as a mean of spreading expensive catalysts on a support, or following heterogeneous and homogeneous catalytic events. It is also possible to study nucleation and growth mechanisms for crystals with the cluster as known starting point.Gold-clusters containing 55 atoms were manufactured by reducing (C6H5)3PAuCl with B2H6 in benzene. The chemical composition was found to be Au9.2[P(C6H5)3]2Cl. Molecular-weight determination by means of an ultracentrifuge gave the formula Au55[P(C6H5)3]Cl6 A model was proposed from Mössbauer spectra by Schmid et al. with cubic close-packing of the 55 gold atoms in a cubeoctahedron as shown in Fig 1. The cluster is almost completely isolated from the surroundings by the twelve triphenylphosphane groups situated in each corner, and the chlorine atoms on the centre of the 3x3 square surfaces. This gives four groups of gold atoms, depending on the different types of surrounding.

Role of boundaries in the crystallization of amorphous films

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 626-627
Author(s):  
D. A. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Amorphous State ◽  
Nucleation And Growth ◽  
Amorphous Films ◽  
Island Nucleation ◽  
Surface Steps ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Component Systems ◽  
Temperature Deposition

The nucleation and growth processes which lead to the formation of a thin film are particularly amenable to investigation by transmission electron microscopy either in situ or subsequent to deposition. In situ studies have enabled the observation of island nucleation and growth, together with addition of atoms to surface steps. This paper is concerned with post-deposition crystallization of amorphous alloys. It will be argued that the processes occurring during low temperature deposition of one component systems are related but the evidence is mainly indirect. Amorphous films result when the deposition conditions such as low temperature or the presence of impurities (intentional or unintentional) preclude the atomic mobility necessary for crystallization. Representative examples of this behavior are CVD silicon grown below about 670°C, metalloids, such as antimony deposited at room temperature, binary alloys or compounds such as Cu-Ag or Cr O2, respectively. Elemental metals are not stable in the amorphous state.

In situ observation of the martensitic transformation in (Mg,Y)-PSZ

1986 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 500-501
Author(s):  
R-R. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Martensitic Transformation ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Nucleation And Growth ◽  
In Situ Observation ◽  
Considerable Potential ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Structural Applications ◽  
Applied Stresses ◽  
Kinetics Of

Partially-stabilized ZrO2 (PSZ) ceramics have considerable potential for advanced structural applications because of their high strength and toughness. These properties derive from small tetragonal ZrO2 (t-ZrO2) precipitates in a cubic (c) ZrO2 matrix, which transform martensitically to monoclinic (m) symmetry under applied stresses. The kinetics of the martensitic transformation is believed to be nucleation controlled and the nucleation is always stress induced. In situ observation of the martensitic transformation using transmission electron microscopy provides considerable information about the nucleation and growth aspects of the transformation.

In situ TEM observations of melting in nanosized eutectic Pb-Cd inclusions embedded in Al

1996 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 986-987
Author(s):  
S. Hagège ◽  
U. Dahmen ◽  
E. Johnson ◽  
A. Johansen ◽  
V.S. Tuboltsev
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Melt Spinning ◽  
Ternary Alloys ◽  
Solid Matrix ◽  
Eutectic System ◽  
In Situ Tem ◽  
In Situ Observation ◽  
Orientation Relationships ◽  
Transmission Electron

Small particles of a low-melting phase embedded in a solid matrix with a higher melting point offer the possibility of studying the mechanisms of melting and solidification directly by in-situ observation in a transmission electron microscope. Previous studies of Pb, Cd and other low-melting inclusions embedded in an Al matrix have shown well-defined orientation relationships, strongly faceted shapes, and an unusual size-dependent superheating before melting.[e.g. 1,2].In the present study we have examined the shapes and thermal behavior of eutectic Pb-Cd inclusions in Al. Pb and Cd form a simple eutectic system with each other, but both elements are insoluble in solid Al. Ternary alloys of Al (Pb,Cd) were prepared from high purity elements by melt spinning or by sequential ion implantation of the two alloying additions to achieve a total alloying addition of up to lat%. TEM observations were made using a heating stage in a 200kV electron microscope equipped with a video system for recording dynamic behavior.

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