:: AZoNanotechnology Article
.jpg)
Topics Covered
Introduction
Fiber Classification Using The
Phenom
General Construction
Diameter
Morphology
Introduction
The Phenom is a new tabletop scanning electron microscope (SEM)
which combines the high magnification of electron microscopy with the ease of
use of optical microscopy to improve performance in a tabletop instrument.
The Phenom, a tabletop SEM provides useful magnifications up to
20,000x, is easy to use as the typical laboratory-grade optical microscopes. The
Phenom
cuts away the time, difficulty, and expense of the conventional SEM. The
operator simply places the sample in the specially designed holder on the
microscope. Due to its unique design there is no risk of damaging the lens. The
automatically focused image is displayed in less than 30 seconds later, with the
resolution and depth of focus typical belonging to SEMs.
.jpg)
Figure 1. Phenom Desktop SEM
Fiber Classification Using The Phenom
Fibers play an important part in everyday materials and cutting edge
research. The Phenom has been used to investigate several different cutting
edge applications in industries covering filtration, medical equipment,
insulation, aerospace, and nanotechnology. The Phenom
provides accurate information about fibers like general construction, diameter,
and surface morphology.
General Construction
The ability to observe general construction reveals information about fiber
interaction, density, and count. Failure analysis of carbon fibers like the one
found in Figure 2 can help researchers improve the construction of their design
to yield a stronger and lighter product.
.jpg)
Figure 2. Fractured edge of a multilayered carbon fiber
sample
.jpg)
Figure 3. Elastic fibers embedded in nylon
Diameter
Fiber diameters can range from the micron to the nano scale. The diameters of
fibers can help forensics scientists identify crime scene evidence (figure 4) as
well as provide a quality control measurement for high-tech filtration devices
(figure 5)
.jpg)
Figure 4. A hair's diameter and scale pattern can help
crime scene investigators identify evidence in a forensics setting. The hair
above is human and approximately 60µm in diameter.
.jpg)
Figure 5. The Phenom can be used to view and measure
fibers at the nano-scale. This image shows fibers found in a cutting edge
filtration system. This image was taken at the Phenom's peak magnification range
and depicts fibers as thin as 50 nm in diameter.
Morphology
Morphology is another characteristic that gives insight into manufacturing
quality, surface roughness, and even fiber strength. The different morphologies
of these fibers affect their strength, interaction volume, absorption rate, and
heat resistance.
.jpg)
Figure 6. Industrial grade fibers magnified at
2,400-6,000x. These types of fibers are used in applications like insulation,
filtration, and textiles.
Source:"Fiber Classification with the Phenom" Application Note
by Phenom-World
For more information on this source please visit Phenom-World