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Tripneustes Ventricosus Larvae under Microscope

March 6, 2014, 5:52 am
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A customer of Microscope World's, Mr. Martin Moe, rears both Diadema and Tripneustes. This is a photo he captured of a Tripneustes Ventricosus Larvae at day 32 with posterior pedicellaria and cilia ridge just before settlement.

Tripneustes Ventricosus (commonly called the West Indian sea egg), is a species of sea urchin. These urchins are found commonly in the Caribbean Sea, Bahamas, and Florida at depths of less than 33 feet.

Tripneustes Ventricosus feeds on algae, but tends to avoid highly calcified coralline algae.

Tripneustes Ventricosus image
Tripneustes Ventricosus - image courtesy of Martin Moe.
The Tripneustes Ventricosus image above was captured using the Meiji MT4300 biological microscope.
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Industrial Microscopes in the Automation Industry

March 8, 2014, 12:09 pm
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Industrial microscopes are being used in the automation industry to speed up inspection, analysis, and quality assurance processes for a broad range of objects and surfaces. In one fully-automated example, a six-axis robotic arm "feeds" samples to a variety of industrial microscopes in a sequence so that all systems can be used simultaneously. This in turn produces measurements and high resolution imagery of both finished and incomplete products that may not pass crucial inspection before moving to the next step in the process.

In other examples, microscopes are automated to produce high resolution images of pathology samples for molecular diagnostics and cytometry, enhancing and automating the workflow of investigators in the pathology laboratory. In some labs, automated microscopes are used to capture live-cell imagery and are especially useful for acquiring images in time-lapse experiments over set periods of time.

Using industrial microscopes in the automation industry, you can benefit from:
  • reproducible methods for exact positioning of specimens
  • automated processes that move the stage, focus on specimens, and capture images for analysis or reporting
  • measuring items that will not fit within one field of view
  • switching from a variety of dedicated equipment to one multi-function tool for automated microscopy, digital imaging, measurements, image analysis and reporting
  • produce reports from high-resolution samples
  • high-resolution overviews for the inspection process
Automated microscopy allows you to trade in your optical comparator, metrology inspection station, toolmaker's microscope, or dedicated image processing station for an automated industrial microscope that can do the job of several tools as well as several individuals.
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Microscope Mechanical Stage

March 12, 2014, 3:25 pm
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What exactly is a microscope mechanical stage, and do you really need one? A biological microscope that does not have a mechanical stage on it will look like the image shown below with two stage clips for holding the microscope slide in place. A microscope mechanical stage is not required in order to view images, but it makes using the microscope much easier and less frustrating at higher magnifications.

microscope stage image
Microscope stage with stage clips (no mechanical stage).
A mechanical stage holds the microscope slide in place and gives the user much more control over the slide. At very high magnifications (400x or 1000x) when you want to move the slide just slightly to view a different part of the specimen, if you are not using a mechanical stage you must move the slide with your fingers. It can be very easy to push the sample right out of the field of view.

When using a mechanical stage one of two knobs are rotated to move the slide in very small increments either left to right or forward and back. The microscope mechanical stage below can be put on the microscope above by removing the stage clips and screwing the mechanical stage onto the flat microscope stage.

microscope mechanical stage
Microscope Mechanical Stage
Below is a video demonstrating the Richter Optica U2 microscope which has a built-in mechanical stage with low-position drop-down controls for controlling the stage.

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If you have questions about adding a mechanical stage to your microscope please contact Microscope World.
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Pollen Under the Microscope

March 14, 2014, 4:55 am
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What exactly are Stereo Zoom Microscopes?

March 17, 2014, 3:10 pm
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Stereo zoom microscopes provide lower magnification and reflected light with two eyepieces for viewing a "stereo" image. The eyepiece magnification combined with the objective lens magnification provides the total overall magnification, and creates a visual effect of depth of perception for the viewer. This three-dimensional capability produces laterally precise, highly detailed images, offers a larger field of view, and allows for extended working distances making stereo zoom microscopes ideal for viewing larger objects in lab, industrial and educational settings.

These microscopes are often used in jewelry and watchmaking, circuit board inspection, dissection, microsurgery, and forensic engineering because they are ideal for observing large specimens and analyzing materials with complex surfaces.

Stereo zoom microscopes are available in two configurations:
  • Greenough design: the most commonly used stereo microscope. Each eye has a separate optical path and the angle of divergence creates a shallow "V" design, which results in a three dimensional image.  The greenough design is typically less expensive, and is best for examining and inspecting specimens at lower magnification of anywhere from 5x-90x.
  • Common Main Objective design: for higher magnifications, the common main objective stereo microscope provides a better image. These microscopes are more popular for research and development because of the higher resolution images that they produce. The common main objective stereo microscope has a parallel optical path and at magnifications above 90x images are much more crisp and clean.
Stereo Microscope image
S6 Stereo Microscope (Greenough Design)

Stereo microscopes are available with either a binocular (two eyepieces) or trinocular (two eyepieces plus a camera port) head. The trinocular port typically has a beam splitter on the head of the microscope which when engaged, will allow light to be directed up to the camera and away from the eyepieces, resulting in higher quality captured images. Microscope cameras are great tools for classroom study, research documentation or creating reports.

Huvitz HSZ-700 Trinocular Microscope
Huvitz HSZ7T-PL Trinocular Microscope (Common Main Objective)

If you have questions about stereo zoom microscopes, or would like to speak with a specialist, please contact us today.
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C. Elegans under the Microscope

March 20, 2014, 10:28 am
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Caenorhabditis Elegans (C. Elegans) is a nematode and a member of the phylum Nematoda. C. Elegans are roundworms and threadworms that are smooth-skinned, unsegmented worms with a long cylindrical body shape tapered at the ends. They are non-hazardous, non-infectious and live in the soil. The worms are often found in soil near rotting vegetation, feeding on microbes such as bacteria.

Scientists often study C. Elegans because they are about as primitive an organism that exists which shares many of the essential biological characteristics that are central problems in human biology. The worms have a nervous system with a brain and exhibit behavior that is capable of rudimentary learning.

Maximum length is about 1mm long and when studied, the worms are typically grown on petri dishes seeded with bacteria. All 959 somatic cells of the C. Elegan's transparent body are visible with a microscope and the average life span is only 2-3 weeks.


The video above was captured using the Lumenera 2-1 microscope camera and a stereo fluorescence microscope.
C. Elegans
Illustration courtesy (KDS444) Wikipedia
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High School Microscope Features

March 24, 2014, 5:29 am
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The Richter Optica HS-1+1 is a popular high school microscope for several reasons.

student microscope labeled diagram
HS-1+1 Student Microscope
  • Separate Coarse & Fine focusing knobs are important. Without a fine focusing knob, it is very hard to get a crisp and clear image at 400x or higher magnification.
  • A head that rotates makes it easier to position students around the microscope.
  • The 2nd eyetube allows for the addition of a microscope camera, or multiple students can view specimens at the same time.
  • The 5-position disc diaphragm helps adjust the amount of light that passes through the specimen and will allow for crisp images.
  • The rheostat control also allows for light control. Too much light can result in washed-out images.
  • LED lighting is cool and will not harm living specimens.
The video below demonstrates the features on the HS-1+1 student microscope.

 
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Cheek Cells under the Microscope

March 26, 2014, 4:53 am
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Cheek cells are one of the easiest cells to view under a microscope, since everyone comes equipped with them! Take a Q-Tip and swab the inside of your cheek. Rub the moist Q-Tip on a blank glass microscope slide and place a cover slip on top.

Using a biological microscope, view the slide at the lower magnification first and then move up to higher magnifications. If you have access to a phase contrast microscope you will be able to view even more detail in the cheek cells.

The following images were captured using the U2 biological microscope and a 40x Phase Contrast Objective lens and phase contrast condenser.

microscope cheek cells 40x

image microscope cheek cells

cheek cells under phase contrast microscope

phase contrast cheek cells image

microscope image

microscopy cheek cells image

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Dicot under the Microscope

March 28, 2014, 8:57 am
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Introducing Swift WiFi Microscopes!

March 31, 2014, 5:02 am
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Swift-Microscopeworld.com is excited to offer two new Swift WiFi microscopes:
The Swift WiFi microscopes create their own wireless network that any Android or iOS device can connect to. The microscope also has on-board software that can be controlled with a web browser on a computer for image capture and measurement.

WiFi microscope from Swift
Swift WiFi Microscope M3702C-4DGLX

Students can use their smart phone, tablet or computer to view the images seen under the WiFi microscope. Streaming images are sent to up to 6 devices without the need for a router. The Swift WiFi microscope generates its own WiFi signal and can be used separate from your existing network. You can download the free MotiConnect App at the Apple App store or at the Google Play store.

The biological digital WiFi microscope includes a built-in 1.3 mega pixel camera and allows capture of both live images and video. View the Swift WiFi microscope here.
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Brightfield versus Fluorescence: Columnar Epith

April 2, 2014, 4:34 pm
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The images below were captured with a biological microscope using both brightfield and then with fluorescence. The prepared slides are a part of the Histology: Human Organ prepared slide kit.

Columnar Epith 400x
Columnar Epith captured at 400x magnification with Brightfield.

Columnar Epith 400x
Columnar Epith captured at 400x magnification with Fluorescence.

Columnar Ciliated Epith 400x
Columnar Ciliated Epith, 400x, Brightfield

Fluorescence microscope image
Columnar Ciliated Epith, 400x, Fluorescence
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Blood under Microscope

April 3, 2014, 9:25 am
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ESD Safe Microscopes

April 4, 2014, 5:03 am
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Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is the sudden flow of electricity between two electrically charged objects caused by contact, an electrical short, or dielectric breakdown. The ESD occurs when differently-charged objects are brought close together or when the dielectric between them breaks down, often creating a visible spark. Lightning is actually a large-scale ESD event.

ESD can damage sensitive electronic devices and therefore specifically in manufacturing of printed circuit boards or other quality control of electronics, ESD safe microscopes are required. Electronics manufacturers establish electrostatic protective areas free of static, using measures to prevent charging. ESD Safe stereo microscopes are used in these manufacturing environments.

ESD safe microscope
Motic SMZ-171 ESD Safe Stereo Zoom Microscope

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Tendons under Microscope

April 8, 2014, 4:59 am
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Moth Larvae under the Microscope

April 14, 2014, 11:23 am
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Easter Science Projects!

April 16, 2014, 5:25 am
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This weekend is Easter and you might have some extra eggs at home. Here are a few science projects you can do at home with an egg!

Bouncy Egg:

 

Crystal Egg Geodes:

Learn how to make beautiful crystal egg geodes here.

Microwave Growing Peeps:
 
Take a peep, place it on a graham cracker and put it in the microwave for instant s'mores! Watch your peep get HUGE! Be careful though - much time over 10 seconds and your peep will burn.

Look at your science projects under the Microscope!

kids microscope
Kids Microscope 20x Magnification
What does the yolk of an egg look like under the microscope? How about the crystal geodes, or the peep, both before and after you made him grow in the microwave!
Happy Easter!!
 
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How to Calculate Microscope Field of View

April 21, 2014, 4:49 am
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The microscope field of view, or field diameter, is the distance across the image as seen through the microscope.  The field of view is greater at lower magnifications. For example, at 10x magnification 20mm might fill your field of view, whereas at 40x magnification you might only see 5mm.

microscope field of view image

Calculating field of view is a simple mathematical formula. You will need to know the field number of the eyepieces being used, the objective value, and any auxilary objective values.

binocular microscope image
Notice the field number written on the eyepieces says 18mm.
Field Size = Field Number ÷ Objective Lens ÷ Auxiliary Lens

If you are using a stereo microscope with a 0.5x auxiliary lens on it, you would first need to look at the eyepiece to see what the Field Number (FN) is. If you were using 10x eyepieces and the field number was 20, and you wanted to find the field of view at 30x magnification, do you know what the math equation would look like?

When using 10x eyepieces, and a 0.5x objective, in order to have 30x magnification, the magnification knob would need to be set at 6x. The field of view formula is below:

Field Size = 20 (FN) ÷ 6 ÷ 0.5
Field Size = 6.67mm
At 30x magnification the entire field of view in the microscope setup mentioned above is 6.67mm.
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Aorta under the Microscope

April 23, 2014, 5:02 pm
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The aorta is the largest artery in the human body. The aorta starts at the left ventricle of the heart and stretches down to the abdomen where it bifurcates into two smaller arteries. The aorta's function is to deliver oxygenated blood to various parts of the body through the systemic circulation.

The microscope images below were captured first with brightfield and then with fluorescence microscopy.

microscope image of aorta, 400x
Aorta, 400x, captured with brightfield using the U2LCD microscope.
Fluorescence microscopy image 400x
Aorta, 400x, captured with the fluorescence microscope.
human aorta
Aorta Illustration courtesy Edoarado.
Microscopy images were captured using either the LCD tablet camera or the 5mega pixel microscope camera.

brightfield microscopy image
Human Aorta, 400x, Brightfield Microscopy

Human Aorta Fluorescence Microscopy
Human Aorta, 400x, Fluorescence Microscopy
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Bee Under Microscope

April 25, 2014, 3:10 pm
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Microscope Infinity Corrected Optics versus Fixed Tube Length

April 28, 2014, 11:34 am
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When microscopes were first introduced, all objectives had a fixed tube length. This means that there is a set distance from the nosepiece where the objective is screwed in, to the point where the ocular sits in the eyepiece. During the 19th century The Royal Microscopy Society standardized the microscope tube length to 160mm.

Using a tube length of 160mm works well, unless optical accessories such as a vertical illuminator or polarizing accessories are added into the light path of a fixed tube length microscope. If items are added, it changes that tube length to more than 160mm.  In order to solve this problem, in the 1980s the Infinity Corrected Optical System became common place.

Microscopes that utilize the Infinity Corrected Optical system have an image distance that is set to infinity. A tube lens is placed within the body tube between the objective and the eyepieces to produce the intermediate image (see image below). The Infinity Optical System allows auxiliary components such as illuminators, polarizers, etc. to be added into the parallel optical path between the objective and the tube lens with only minimal effect on focus.

microscope tube length
Fixed tube length versus Infinity Corrected Optics
The Infinity Corrected Optical System typically makes it easier to maintain parfocality between different microscope objectives, even when auxiliary components are added to the microscope.

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