ITG TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT:
RESEARCH-GRADE REMOTE MICROSCOPY
WITH THE NASA HLN PROJECT

 

The integrated user interface for research-grade remote ESEM (click for full view)

 

Introduction

 

The Hierarchical Learning Network at NASA is working with the Imaging Technology Group to create a fully functional remote microscopy suite that provides engineers and researchers the opportunity to completely control microscopy instrumentation remotely. The first instrument to be included in the remote microscopy suite is a Philips XL 30 ESEM-FEG. This scanning electron microscope is capable of imaging with 2nm resolution in high vacuum mode and has the ability to operate with up to 10 torr of water vapor in the sample chamber in wet mode.

While previous incarnations of ITG's remote microscopy have provided remote ESEM functionality, they have been aimed at a different audience. That audience is education, both for educational outreach and teacher training. As a first pass at remote ESEM, we developed the first version of irma, or interactive remote microscopy application. This application has been in use since 1999, and is still used weekly as the main application in the Bugscope project.

Several functions necessary for full-fledged research with the ESEM are not possible with that previous incarnation, however. One of the primary functions needed is full-time streaming video. Streaming video allows for interactive focus and navigation that are necessary for real research use. In addition to these fundamental needs, other options include multiple detectors, spot size, kV, high-quality image acquisiton, and others as required.

The new irma provides these functions integrated into a single application, with streaming video, still images, extended control, integrated chat, and other various tools that increase the usability to the scientific researcher.

 

 

Training

 

The first step in using the ESEM remotely is to be trained. Training involves viewing the remote training manual (and other materials) and a remote training session with an Imaging Technology Group microscopist. Once a user is fully trained, instrument time can be scheduled using an online calendar, samples will be shipped to ITG who will insert the samples into the ESEM at the proper time, and the instrument will be made available for full remote control.

Contact us "HERE" to schedule live training or with any other questions.

The remote training manual provides essential concepts necessary for understanding imaging with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). This self-guided session teaches you these things in an easy-to-use, animated format. To run the training session, please click on the icon below. The manual requires an installation of the Macromedia Flash player, so please download one first if you don't already have it installed.

 

Click above to run the Interactive Training Manual

 

In addition to an understanding of SEM fundamentals, another essential concept is the preparation of SEM samples. The procedures in sample preparation will help users determine the ways in which they may (or may not) be able to effectively view their specimens in the chamber.

To aid with sample preparation techniques, please view our video on this subject, titled Sample Preparation for the SEM. This video requires that you have Quicktime 5 or 6 installed--if you do not already have it installed, please download it.

 

Click above to run the Sample Prep Video

 

Use

 

Once you have run through the interactive training manual and the sample preparation video, you are ready to be trained online by our resident SEM microscopist. First you need to use our online calendar system to sign out time. Contact us "HERE" and we'll get you setup with a time and password.

Once you have been signed-off by our training team, you will be able to signout time on your own using our online scheduling system. Follow the link below to sign out time on the remote ESEM.

Funding

 

This project is supported by the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) as part of the Hierarchical Learning Network project.

Funding for the purchase of the ESEM was provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Beckman Institute.