Carmichael’s Concise Review
developed technique of synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy for its high spatial resolution and the deep chemical insights this technique offers. Briefly, Stegbauer et al. are confident that they identified
nanoparticles of santabarbaraite (SBB), a rare amorphous fer- ric hydroxyphosphate, in the stylus. SBB was only discovered in the year 2000, and until this study it has only been observed in rocks! It was suggested that these particles could toughen the teeth without adding much weight. Te distribution of AFP and SBB within the stylus apparently allows the hardness and stiffness to vary by at least a factor of two over a distance of a few hundred microns. Tis addresses the significant challenge of engineering structures that bridge between elements with disparate mechanical properties. Finally, to demonstrate the usefulness of this discovery, Steg-
bauer et al. designed bio-inspired inks for 3D printing. Te results demonstrated some of the impressive mechanical properties they found in the chiton tooth, and they anticipate further improve- ments will be straightforward. Tese inks can be used to make strong, lightweight materials that vary in hardness and stiffness, and which have potential applications in robotics that mimic bio- logic structures. Tis is the emerging field of “soſt robotics,” and Stegbauer et al. appear to have made a significant contribution!
Figure 2: Rendering of a virtual section of a single tooth head and upper stylus, generated from a 3D reconstruction as determined by synchrotron microcomputer tomography. Credit: Northwestern University.
X-ray spectroscopy, to visualize structural features of the tooth. Given the complex shape and small size of chiton teeth and the extraordinary rich chemistry of iron, they also used the newly
Reference [1] L Stegbauer et al., PNAS 118 (2021) e2020160118 https://
doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2020160118.
[2] Te author gratefully acknowledges Dr. Derk Joester for reviewing this article.
Finally! Full-Size Performance In a Tabletop Package EM-30
SE and BSE detectors High and Low Vacuum Dry pump option Navigation camera
Auxiliary ports
Image program (mosaic) 3D imaging software Small footprint Under $100k
All the features you want without the high cost!
At COXEM, we believe that microscopy doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Our tabletop microscopes deliver the performance and features advanced users expect, at a price that entry-level users can afford. Call your local agent to arrange a demonstration, or visit our website for more information.
www.coxem.com / ElementPi (US distributor)
www.elementpi.com 2021 November •
www.microscopy-today.com 9
Table Floor Top Model
l l l l l l l l
Adjustable objective apertures l l EDS system
l l l l l l l l l l l l
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
