Applications of Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy in Art Conservation and Archaeology

1990 ◽  
Vol 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dusan Stulik ◽  
Eric Doehne
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Electron Micrographs ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Environmental Scanning ◽  
Art Conservation ◽  
Pilot Studies ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Scanning Electron

AbstractThe principles of Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (E-SEM) are explained and discussed. The performance of the E-SEM compares favorably with the performance of traditional SEM instruments. This new technology has significant advantages in art conservation and archaeology. In this paper we describe several pilot studies which explored potential uses of the E-SEM. Electron micrographs recorded from moist, outgassing, and difficult to coat samples are presented, together with X-ray spectra recorded from uncoated samples of electrically nonconductive materials.

Environmental scanning electron microscopy of fresh human gallstones reveals new morphologies of precipitated calcium salts

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 1322-1323
Author(s):  
Howard S. Kaufman ◽  
Keith D. Lillemoe ◽  
John T. Mastovich ◽  
Henry A. Pitt
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Environmental Scanning ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Calcium Salts ◽  
Cholesterol Gallstones ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Ca Carbonate ◽  
Scanning Electron

Gallstones contain precipitated cholesterol, calcium salts, and proteins. Calcium (Ca) bilirubinate, palmitate, phosphate, and carbonate occurring in gallstones have variable morphologies but characteristic windowless energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectra. Previous studies of gallstone microstructure and composition using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDX have been limited to dehydrated samples. In this state, Ca bilirubinates appear as either glassy masses, which predominate in black pigment stones, or as clusters, which are found mostly in cholesterol gallstones. The three polymorphs of Ca carbonate, calcite, vaterite, and aragonite, have been identified in gallstones by x-ray diffraction, however; the morphologies of these crystals vary in the literature. The purpose of this experiment was to study fresh gallstones by environmental SEM (ESEM) to determine if dehydration affects gallstone Ca salt morphology.Gallstones and bile were obtained fresh at cholecystectomy from 6 patients. To prevent dehydration, stones were stored in bile at 37°C. All samples were studied within 4 days of procurement.

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