Below are a few SEM photos showing the cells of bamboo charcoal. I hope in the next few months to photograph some diatoms and radiolarians on the SEM. I have to pay an hourly fee to use the microscope, but considering SEM microscopes cost close to $500.000 and have hefty maintenance fees - I am OK with the hourly rate. I am glad just to have an opportunity to use the SEM again. The bottom photo shows a picture of the microscope I used - it's controlled using Windows 2000.
Bamboo charcoal showing individual cells - the charcoal did not require coating and samples were mounted on aluminum stubs with double sided copper tape.
Many universities rent out their microscopes for fees ranging from $100 to $300 per hour depending on whether you need a technician's assistance, whether your are a faculty member or a private user. Everyone needs technical assistance initially to learn how to use the scope, but they are not difficult to use.
Very interesting.
