• Applied Microscopy
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.214-217
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• 2015

This study introduces metal coating as an effective sample preparation method to remove charge-up caused by the shadow effect during field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) analysis of dynamic structured samples. During a FE-SEM analysis, charge-up occurs when the primary electrons (input electrons) that scan the specimens are not equal to the output electrons (secondary electrons, backscattered electrons, auger electrons, etc.) generated from the specimens. To remove charge-up, a metal layer of Pt, Au or Pd is applied on the surface of the sample. However, in some cases, charge-up still occurs due to the shadow effect. This study developed a coating method that effectively removes charge-up. By creating a converted sample stage capable of simultaneous tilt and rotation, the shadow effect was successfully removed, and image data without charge-up were obtained.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제46권2호
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• pp.76-82
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• 2016

Aloe vera has been used in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industry for its therapeutic properties. However, there are not many current studies on the microstructure of A. vera compared to studies on the chemical constituents and health efficacy of A. vera. Therefore, we compared the morphology of an A. vera leaf using an optical microscope, a conventional scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a cryo-SEM. Especially, this study focused on observing the gel in the inner leaf of A. vera, which is challenging using standard imaging techniques. We found that cryo-SEM is most suitable method for the observation of highly hydrated biomaterials such as A. vera without removing moisture in samples. In addition, we found the optimal analytical conditions of cryo-SEM. The sublimation conditions of $-100^{\circ}C$ and 10 minutes possibly enable the surface of the inner leaf of A. vera to be observed in their "near life-like" state with retaining moisture. The experiment was repeated with A. arborescens and A. saponaria to confirm the feasibility of the conditions. The results of this study can be applied towards the basic research of aloe and further extend previous knowledge about the surface structures of the various succulent plants.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제46권2호
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• pp.71-75
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• 2016

The scanning electron microscope (SEM) offers two-dimensional (2D) micrographs of three-dimensional (3D) objects due to its inherent operating mechanisms. To overcome this limitation, other devices have been used for quantitative morphological analysis. Many efforts have been made on the applications of software-based approaches to 3D reconstruction and measurements by SEM. Based on the acquisition of two stereo images, a multi-view technique consists of two parts: (i) geometric calibration and (ii) image matching. Quantitative morphological parameters such as height and depth could be nondestructively measured by SEM combined with special software programs. It is also possible to obtain conventional surface parameters such as roughness and volume of biomedical specimens through 3D SEM surface reconstruction. There is growing evidence that conventional 2D SEM without special electron detectors can be transformed to 3D SEM for quantitative measurements in biomedical research.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.131-134
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• 2015

Here we show how by processing energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) data obtained using highly sensitive, new generation EDS detectors in the AZtec LayerProbe software we can obtain data of sufficiently high quality to non-destructively measure the number of layers in two-dimensional (2D) $MoS_2$ and $MoS_2/WSe_2$ and thereby enable the characterization of working devices based on 2D materials. We compare the thickness measurements with EDS to results from atomic force microscopy measurements. We also show how we can use electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) to address fabrication challenges of 2D materials. Results from EBSD analysis of individual flakes of exfoliated $MoS_2$ obtained using the Nordlys Nano detector are shown to aid a better understanding of the exfoliation process which is still widely used to produce 2D materials for research purposes.

• 한국분말재료학회지
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.285-291
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• 2017

We propose a custom analysis technique for the dark field (DF) image based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The custom analysis technique is developed based on the $DigitalMicrograph^{(R)}$ (DM) script language embedded in the Gatan digital microscopy software, which is used as the operational software for most TEM instruments. The developed software automatically scans an electron beam across a TEM sample and records a series of electron diffraction patterns. The recorded electron diffraction patterns provide DF and ADF images based on digital image processing. An experimental electron diffraction pattern is recorded from a IrMn polycrystal consisting of fine nanograins in order to test the proposed software. We demonstrate that the developed image processing technique well resolves nanograins of ~ 5 nm in diameter.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.158-163
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• 2022

Purpose: We subjected scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images of the active layer of EBT3 film to texture analysis to determine the dose-response curve. Methods: Uncoated Gafchromic EBT3 films were prepared for direct surface SEM scanning. Absorbed doses of 0-20 Gy were delivered to the film's surface using a 6 MV TrueBeam STx photon beam. The film's surface was scanned using a SEM under 100× and 3,000× magnification. Four textural features (Homogeneity, Correlation, Contrast, and Energy) were calculated based on the gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) using the SEM images corresponding to each dose. We used R-square to evaluate the linear relationship between delivered doses and textural features of the film's surface. Results: Correlation resulted in higher linearity and dose-response curve sensitivity than Homogeneity, Contrast, or Energy. The R-square value was 0.964 for correlation using 3,000× magnified SEM images with 9-pixel offsets. Dose verification was used to determine the difference between the prescribed and measured doses for 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 Gy as 0.09, 1.96, -2.29, 0.17, and 0.08 Gy, respectively. Conclusions: Texture analysis can be used to accurately convert microscopic structural changes to the EBT3 film's surface into absorbed doses. Our proposed method is feasible and may improve the accuracy of film dosimetry used to protect patients from excess radiation exposure.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제50권
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• pp.12.1-12.11
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• 2020

Hot stage microscopy (HSM) is a thermal analysis technique that combines the best properties of thermal analysis and microscopy. HSM is rapidly gaining interest in pharmaceuticals as well as in other fields as a regular characterization technique. In pharmaceuticals HSM is used to support differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) observations and to detect small changes in the sample that may be missed by DSC and TGA during a thermal experiment. Study of various physical and chemical properties such sample morphology, crystalline nature, polymorphism, desolvation, miscibility, melting, solid state transitions and incompatibility between various pharmaceutical compounds can be carried out using HSM. HSM is also widely used to screen cocrystals, excipients and polymers for solid dispersions. With the advancements in research methodologies, it is now possible to use HSM in conjunction with other characterization techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), DSC, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) which may have additional benefits over traditional characterization techniques for rapid and comprehensive solid state characterization.

• 반도체디스플레이기술학회지
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• 제2권4호
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• pp.31-35
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• 2003

We present a formation technique of thin film heater for heat transfer components. Thin film structures of Cr-Si have been prepared on top of alumina substrates by magnetron sputtering. More samples of Mo thin films were prepared on silicon oxide and silicon nitride substrates by electron beam evaporation technology. The electrical properties of the thin film structures were measured up to the temperature of $500^{\circ}C$. The thickness of the thin films was ranged to about 1 um, and a post annealing up to $900^{\circ}C$ was carried out to achieve more reliable film structures. In measurements of temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), chrome-rich films show the metallic properties; whereas silicon-rich films do the semiconductor properties. Optimal composition between Cr and Si was obtained as 1 : 2, and there is 20% change or less of surface resistance from room temperature to $500^{\circ}C$. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) were used for the material analysis of the thin films.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.170-174
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• 2008

리튬염을 포함하는 P(VDF-HFP)계 겔 고분자에 surfactant-assisted templating process로 합성한 메조포러스 ZnS를 충전하여 다양한 ZnS 무게비를 가지는 전해질 필름을 제조하였고 겔 필름의 이온 전도도를 온도에 따라 측정하였다. 그 결과, 대체적으로 ZnS의 함량비가 증가할수록 증가하였다. 특히 20 wt%와 25 wt% ZnS를 포함하는 겔 필름은 상온에서 $10^{-4}Scm^{-1}$의 높은 이온 전도도를 보였다. 하지만 20 wt% 이상의 함량비에서는 더 이상 이온 전도도가 증가하지 않았다. 합성된 메조포러스 ZnS와 겔 전해질 필름의 특성은 XRD(x-ray diffractometer), DSC(differential scanning calorimetry), TGA(thermogravimetric analysis), FT-IR(fourier transform-infrared spectrometer), SEM(scanning electron microscopy), TEM(transmission electron microscopy)을 이용하여 분석하였다. 이온 전도도는 교류 임피던스법에 따라서 승온하면서 측정하였다.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.135-140
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• 2008

본 연구에서 분만 중에 사망한 여성미라의 자궁 내에 있는 태아미라의 두피를 주사전자현미경과 투과전자현미경을 사용하여 관찰하였다. 주사전자현미경상에서 태아 두피의 표면은 잘 보존된 상태로 관찰되었으며, 각질층에 각화세포도 모양을 그대로 유지하고 있었다. 또한 땀샘과 모발도 원형 그대로 유지하고 있었으며 일부 두피표면에 모발이 빠져서 형성된 모공들이 다수 관찰되었다. 채취한 두피의 횡단면 두께는 약 1mm로 나타났으며 표피와 진피 및 피하조직이 뚜렷하게 존재하였다. 투과전자현미 경상에서 상피세포의 구조나 형태는 관찰되지 않았으며 또한, 세포의 형태를 그대로 유지하고 있는 어떠한 세포들도 전혀 관찰할 수 없었다. 그러나 진피의 교원섬유들은 잘 보존되어 있었고 이들 사이에 Clostridium 속으로 추정되는 부패세균들이 다수 관찰되었다.