Sample Preparation and Manipulation for Microanalysis (1501E)

“Provides a clear outline for sample identification.” — Bob W.

COURSE OUTLINE & SYLLABUS

Course schedule: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Friday

The course will consist of demonstrations plus hands-on training in a variety of techniques of small particle handling. Most of what is required to complete the course successfully will be presented in the lectures and course manual. Students are welcome to bring problems and samples for discussion, practice and analysis.

There is no prerequisite for this course

Day 1
• Setup of stereomicroscope and work area
• Introduction to tungsten needles, parking slides, and glass blocks
• Micropipettes and their uses
• Making tungsten needles, parking slides, glass blocks, and micropipettes

Day 2
• Combining the use of tungsten needles and micropipettes
• Introduction to polarized light microscopy (PLM): Basic microscope setup, observations with the PLM
• Microchemistry

Day 3
• Making and using minicoverslips for PLM preparation
• Solvent extractions
• Basic FTIR preparation

Day 4
• Advanced FTIR preparation
• Making tools for FTIR preparation
• Cutting and sectioning samples
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) preparation

Day 5
• Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) preparation
• Course review