Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Core facility

LOCATION

Corso Europa 26, Palazzo delle Scienze (building 12), I floor, rooms I.2 - I.3 - I.9 - I.11 - I-15; ground floor, room T.11

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Laura Gaggero, Full Professor GEOS-01/D - Mineral Resources and Mineralogical-Petrographic Applications for the Environment and Cultural Heritage, Department of Earth, Environmental, and Life Sciences - DISTAV

MISSION

The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Laboratory at DISTAV supports academic teaching, international and national research projects, commissioned projects, and cooperation agreements, in the fields of geomaterials, biotechnology, biological materials, and inorganic materials.

OUR SERVICES

Imaging under high vacuum (HV)/high resolution conditions, on conductive or metallized specimens
Imaging under low vacuum of non-conductive uncoated specimens
EDS Microanalysis (Energy Dispersive Spectrometry) for elemental characterization of materials
Determination and qualitative and quantitative analysis of fibrous phases in excavation soils and rock samples, artificial materials, and airborne sampling (Laboratory accredited by the Ministry of Health)

EQUIPMENTS

The instruments allow for advanced analyses on a wide range of samples, from mineralogical and chemical characterization to the preparation and analysis of biological and environmental materials.

TESCAN VEGA 3 LMU microscope, operating under high vacuum, low vacuum, and environmental conditions, equipped with a CCD camera, SE-ET detector, retractable BSE, LVSTD, optional S-TEM, TEAM EDS microanalysis system with APOLLO X SDD 10 mm² detector, and TEAM software for qualitative and quantitative analyses, as well as elemental and phase mapping
TESCAN VEGA 3 XMU microscope, operating under high vacuum, low vacuum, and variable pressure, equipped with a CCD camera, SE-ET detector, retractable BSE, LVSTD, retractable cathodoluminescence (CL), OXFORD AZtec EDS microanalysis system with OXFORD X-MAX SDD 20 mm² detector for qualitative and quantitative analyses, and for elemental and phase mapping
FEG SEM UHR Tescan Clara 2023 LMH high-resolution microscope with Schottky thermo-assisted FEG source, operating under high vacuum with accelerating voltage from 50 V to 30 kV, equipped with CCD camera, 3D Collision Model with CAD, ET-SE detector, motorized retractable BSE, Inlens Axial and Multidetector, motorized retractable cathodoluminescence (CL) system (spectrum 350–650 nm), OXFORD AZtecLive Advanced EDS microanalysis system with Ultime Max SDD 170 mm² detector for elemental identification, real-time chemical mapping, line scans, quantitative analyses (including user-defined standards), and large-area mapping
Coaters (Quorum Q150T ES, Emitech K950 + K350, and Agar Auto Carbon Coater)
Critical point dryer Quorum K850
Optical stereomicroscopes (Exacta Optech LFZ NT with camera, Heerbrugg Wild M3Z)
HIROX HRX-1 digital stereomicroscope with optics from 20× to 10,000×
Three absolute-filter fume hoods (Acquaria Activa Security 120, Esco PW1-4A1, Esco PW1-3A1)
Retsch BB50 jaw crusher
Retsch RS 200 vibratory disc mill
McCrone micronizer
Agate mortars
Binder ED 115 oven
Fritsch Analysette 3 vibrating sieve shaker
Magnetic stirrers with heating plates (Velp Scientifica), analytical balances (Radwag AS 220.R2, Radwag PS 600.R2), ultrasonic baths (Falc Instruments LBS1, Bandelin Sonorex Super RX 102), sets of sieves and glassware

PERSONNEL

Prof. Laura Gaggero, Scientific Supervisor
Dr. Elisa Sanguineti, PhD, Technician
Dr. Samanta Annis, Technician
Dr. Federico Mantovani, PhD, Research Fellow

TARGET USERS

Internal researchers
External collaborators (public and private)
PhD students, research grant holders, and postdoctoral researchers (after appropriate training)

HOW TO ACCESS

Booking upon request to Prof. Gaggero and/or Dr. Sanguineti
Price list available on the DISTAV website

COLLABORATIONS & NETWORKING

Participation in the Ministerial Network of Laboratories performing asbestos analyses
Multidisciplinary collaborative projects within PNRR RETURN / STAT PhD Program
Agreements with Consorzio Collegamenti Integrati Veloci, Ireos Laboratori, and Heidelberg Materials

CONTACTS