Scanning Electron Microscopy
Detailed analysis of surface morphology and composition with nanometric resolution.
O que é MEV
Uma técnica de análise avançada
Detailed analysis of surface morphology and composition with nanometric resolution.
What sets us apart
We don't hand over a spectrum. We hand over the interpretation.
Any lab can return peaks and numbers. Our report reads the data. Three differences define what we deliver — illustrated below with a real, anonymized case.
Multiple techniques, one integrated report
We don't hand back five loose reports. We cross-reference every technique's results into a single reading — each signal checked against the others — to reach an answer, not a pile of data.
- Contamination investigation — identifying and tracing the source of a foreign species.
- Performance degradation — explaining why a batch behaves outside expectations.
- New supplier validation — proving equivalence before switching.
3 LDPE batches · 4 techniques converge, NMR reveals the difference
In semicrystalline polymer systems, thermomechanical processing variables influence chain conformational dynamics¹. Solid-state NMR resolves chemical environments at the nanometer scale², sensitive to changes not detectable by XRD or FTIR³.
Technical justification anchored in the literature
Every technique choice and every inference in the report is backed by peer-reviewed literature — with citations in the text. The conclusion isn't loose opinion: it's a traceable argument, defensible in an audit and in front of the client.
- Numbered citations linking claim to source
- Official standards and methods referenced per analyte
- Auditable reasoning end to end
Conclusion and expert opinion
The report closes with a clear position, signed by the Principal Investigator: what the data shows, what can't yet be claimed, and the next step. It includes an honest caveat on the limits of inference — what separates a technical opinion from a guess.
- Explicit technical position, not just results
- Inference limits declared honestly
- Next-step recommendation signed by the P.I.
Four techniques confirmed equivalence; only the solid-state NMR revealed the subtle conformational change not distinguishable by conventional QC — a molecular signature consistent with the atypical filtration behavior.
Without the industrial line's parameters, no direct causal correlation can be established — a complementary step is recommended for elucidation.
Aplicações de mercado
Onde a MEV entrega resultados
Market Applications
Pharma
- Drug particle morphology analysis
- Tablet coating uniformity assessment
- API crystal structure analysis
Materials
- Surface defect analysis
- Porosity evaluation
- Failure and fracture analysis
Cosmetics
- Powder particle size and shape
- Emulsion stability studies
- Product texture analysis
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
What resolution can scanning electron microscopy (SEM) achieve?
- It depends on the instrument, but modern SEM routinely resolves features down to a few nanometers (typically 1-10 nm at high magnification), far beyond optical microscopy's ~200 nm diffraction limit. The resolution actually achieved on a given sample depends on beam voltage, working distance, and sample conductivity/preparation.
Does SEM tell me the chemical composition of my sample, or only its shape?
- Standard SEM (secondary electron imaging) shows only morphology and topography. Elemental composition requires the EDS accessory (SEM-EDS), which detects characteristic X-rays generated by the electron beam to identify and semi-quantify the elements present at each point or region imaged.
Does my sample need to be conductive for SEM analysis?
- Non-conductive samples (most polymers, ceramics, and biological material) can charge under the electron beam and distort the image, so they are typically sputter-coated with a thin conductive layer (gold, carbon, or similar) before imaging, or imaged in a low-vacuum/variable-pressure mode when coating would compromise the surface feature under study.
Can SEM analyze liquid or hydrated samples?
- Conventional SEM operates under high vacuum, which is incompatible with liquid or fully hydrated samples — these must be dried, frozen, or otherwise stabilized first. Environmental/low-vacuum SEM configurations can accommodate some moisture, but sample compatibility should be confirmed before submission.
What size sample can be analyzed by SEM?
- SEM chambers accommodate a range of sample sizes, but samples are generally mounted on stubs a few centimeters across; larger or irregularly shaped parts may need to be sectioned or a representative sub-sample taken. Sample size and mounting constraints are confirmed per project.
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