The Phenom XL is a compact scanning electron microscope (SEM) that provides the same ease-of-use and fast time-to-image features as other Phenom systems. The system includes a chamber that aids in analyzing large samples of up to 100x 100mm.
Other features like a new, compact motorized stage allows users to scan the entire sample area, and a proprietary venting and loading mechanism ensures a rapid vent and load cycle with high throughput. In addition, a single-shot optical navigation camera in the Phenom XL allows enables users to shift to different spots on the sample at the click of a button, all in a matter of seconds.
The Phenom XL desktop SEM is suitable for applications where space is rather limited.
Customer Testimonials
The Phenom appears to be the ideal solution for monitoring pharmaceutical products in the micrometer and millimetre size range in less than a few minutes.
Ph.D. Arjen P. Tinke – Principle Scientist Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical R&D
The purchase of the Phenom desktop scanning electron microscope has improved our work flow and research programs.
Jitka Färberová – Faculty of Textile Engineering, Technical University of Liberec
Case Study
The Department of Nonwoven Textiles Nanoscience Centre, Technical University of Liberec, Czech Republic offers courses on novel methods in technical textiles and nonwoven textile production, evaluation of nonwovens, and production technology.
Its research programs include analysis and testing of the structure of nonwoven textiles, including electrospinning products comprising nanofibres. These fibers have diameters of the order of 100nm and can be created by interfacial polymerization and electrospinning procedures.
The department has more than four decades of experience with other nonwoven technologies and over six years of experience with electrospinning. It spins a number of polymeric materials and melts with different kinds of structures. The morphology of these materials is carefully examined by means of optical and electron microscopic techniques. The Phenom™ desktop SEM is one of the microscopes used for material analysis.
The Department of Nonwovens performs the following research and scientific activities:
- Thermal and physiological properties of textiles
- Compressional properties of textiles
- Interactions between liquid phases (sorption and filtration) and fiber assemblies, including computer modeling
- Melt-blown technology, electrospinning, and fabric modifications
- Devices and technology for highloft perpendicular-laid nonwovens (Struto)
- Development of electrospinning technology, application of electrospun materials, and complicated theoretical research in this area
Applications of Nanofibers
Acoustic applications: High acoustic absorption is an important property of nanofibrous materials, particularly in the low-frequency range of sound waves, in which all other materials are either less effective or fail completely. Nanofibrous materials may be used as acoustic barriers in a wide range of applications.
Filtration: it is one of the most essential applications of nanofiber materials. One part of the department’s laboratory is fully equipped to facilitate complete analysis and testing of filtration properties of unique materials. The department also carries out laboratory and pilot-plant production of exclusive materials for property testing.
Biological and Medical Applications: Over the past few years, the use of nanofibrous materials for medical applications has attracted significant attention. Thanks to their special properties, these materials can be utilized in tissue engineering. Coaxial electrospinning is utilized to develop core-shell fibers for drug delivery applications.
The Phenom™ desktop SEM has significantly improved the work flow and research activities at the Department of Nonwovens. In the past the department had to wait for long periods of time to acquire images from an electron microscope. Now, microphotographs can be obtained within a short period of time, similar to the light microscopy technology.
The Phenom SEM’s magnification range is perfect for studying the structure of single fibers as well as nanofiber layers. In addition, the Phenom can be operated easily, enabling students to use it without the need for special training.
When the Phenom desktop SEM is used along with the Fibermetric™ system, it allows rapid measurement of pore and nanofiber diameters. Automatic measurement of these parameters speeds up the work and saves considerable amount of time. The Fibermetric system is capable of producing frequency diagrams and statistical data of the measured diameters.
The calculated values are as precise as those achieved from manual measurements with sophisticated image analysis software. The Phenom SEM together with the Fibermetric system enables the department to achieve comprehensive sample information in the same session.
Phenom XL SEM Images
Colored SEM images of salt
SEM images of blood cells