These multi-scale and multi-modal insights support deeper understanding of the relationship between AM process parameters and final material performance. By identifying regions susceptible to crack initiation or fatigue, engineers can refine build conditions, heat treatments or post- processing steps to increase reliability without relying solely on destructive testing. As AM moves toward certification for structural flight components, microscopy-based quality protocols are becoming an essential part of standardisation across the aerospace supply chain.
Protecting spacecraft with
advanced coatings Protective coatings are central to spacecraft design, serving as thermal barriers, erosion-resistant layers or radiation- shielding films. Their performance depends not only on bulk chemistry but also on microstructural details such as porosity, adhesion between layers and phase distribution.
Microscopy offers a direct method to quantify and optimise these properties. Cross-sectional SEM with EDS can reveal how stabilising elements such as yttrium, zirconium or magnesium are distributed in ceramic thermal barrier coatings. Uniform distribution supports improved oxidation resistance and thermal stability.
EBSD contributes further insight into crystallographic orientation and phase differences within and across
coating layers. These maps can identify mismatches that concentrate stress and lead to spallation during repeated thermal cycling. By correlating microstructural observations with environmental testing, engineers can refine deposition parameters for plasma spraying, chemical vapor deposition and emerging additive coating methods. This iterative approach strengthens adhesion, reduces thermal fatigue and extends component lifetime.
Advantages of advanced
microscopy Advanced microscopy offers multi-scale visibility that bridges nanoscale defects observed in transmission electron microscopy with microscale surface features seen in scanning electron microscopy. Three-dimensional characterisation through focused ion beam serial sectioning permits volumetric reconstruction of internal porosity, crack networks and hidden defects. Correlative analysis that integrates structural imaging, chemical mapping and crystallography allows engineers to link microstructural features to performance in a direct and predictive way.
Microscopy also enables early identification of potential failure modes, supporting proactive design changes and process optimisation. Its versatility across metals, composites, polymers, coatings and additively manufactured parts allows engineers to address the full range of space materials challenges. Together these
Advanced microscopy has become central to the development and
qualification of materials for space exploration
capabilities make microscopy a predictive platform for innovation and a vital tool in the development of lighter, stronger and longer-lasting spacecraft components.
Advanced microscopy has become central to the development and qualification of materials for space exploration. By revealing degradation mechanisms, validating additive manufacturing quality and optimising coating performance, techniques such as SEM, EDS and EBSD allow engineers to connect microstructural understanding with design decisions. In an environment where reliability is paramount and failure is costly, these imaging and analysis tools support informed choices and drive the development of robust materials for next- generation missions.
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www.labmate-online.com New fluorescence microscope with LED technology
fine focusing knob enable precise sample analysis in the laboratory.
The professional Köhler illumination unit with a centreable 1.25 ABBE condenser ensures high-contrast illumination in transmitted light. The light source is a 3 W LED transmitted illumination unit. There is a separate 5 W LED incident illumination unit for fluorescence applications.
KERN & SOHN GmbH is expanding its range of microscopes with the KERN OBN 142 fluorescence microscope with integrated LED fluorescence unit. It is aimed at professionals in research, diagnostics and teaching. Based
on the proven OBN-14 series, it offers a high- quality infinity optics system and a trinocular eyepiece tube. Five planachromatic lenses with magnifications from 4x to 100x and a stable angle table with coaxial coarse and
The LED fluorescence unit has a filter wheel that can be equipped with up to six standard filters for UV, V, B and G. It is suitable for immunofluorescence, nucleic acid staining and FISH analyses, among other things. Compared to mercury-vapour lamps, LEDs offer many advantages: longer service life, immediate operational readiness, lower heat generation and lower energy consumption. LEDs contain no mercury, which makes them easier to handle and dispose of, and they provide constant light intensity without flickering.
“In addition to optical performance, operational reliability is crucial,” said Nicole Lebherz, Category Manager - Optics at KERN. “The LED technology in the KERN
OBN 142 eliminates the warm-up time, and the stable light output ensures reproducible results – even for demanding fluorescence applications.”
The modular design enables the integration of accessories such as darkfield condensers, phase-contrast units or polarisation modules. A centring lens, a protective dust cover, eye cups as well as multi-lingual user instructions are included with the delivery. A C-mount adapter is required to connect a camera.
The microscope is also available as a complete digital solution with a camera and adapter. The KERN ODC 861 fluorescence camera has a light-sensitive Sony CMOS colour sensor and integrated Peltier cooling. The KERN OXM 902 software enables image acquisition, management and analysis on a PC. This combination of high-quality optics, stable mechanics and sensor-based imaging offers a powerful solution for demanding fluorescence applications in the laboratory.
More information online:
ilmt.co/PL/j9Ln and
ilmt.co/PL/Rwqk
65493pr@reply-direct.com
Online course: Flow cytometry data analysis
The Royal Microscopical Society (RMS) is hosting an interactive online course on flow cytometry data analysis this spring. The main Research Module will run from
2–5 March 2026, with an optional Clinical Module to follow (date TBC). Over four half-days, the course will provide practical training in a wide range of applications, including antibody phenotyping, DNA content and cell cycle kinetics, cell proliferation and death, functional assays, and high-dimensional analysis using clustering and dimensionality reduction.
Pre-recorded lectures will be shared in
advance, allowing delegates to prepare for live, small-group practical sessions held each afternoon. Participants will work with provided data files and follow step-by-step analysis guided by expert demonstrators, using either FlowJo or FCS Express. Applications specialists will also be on hand to provide additional support and insight.
The course is scheduled in the afternoon UK time (14:00 GMT / 15:00 CET / 09:00
EST) to accommodate multiple time zones. For delegates joining from Australia (ACDT), sessions will begin at 12:30 am on 3–6 March. This course is suitable for those new to flow cytometry as well as for those wishing to broaden their experience and explore advanced analysis applications.
More information online:
ilmt.co/PL/Dq52 66552pr@reply-direct.com
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