Well the pressure is on.
I have a month left, and I still have much to do. The lab techniques for sample preparation are out of the way, I just need to learn how to analyze these samples. Although I have already taken a class in how to use the Scanning Electron Microscope, my PI still is asking for me to learn how to use the Atomic Force Microscope in order to analyze the active layers for my project.
At the end of last week, I prepared dummy samples to run under the SEM microscope. They were created at 1/2 of the normal polymer concentration, specially meant for practice purposes only. In the hope that my project advisor was going to show up today, I ran these dummies under the SEM microscope, but to no success.
I was able to procure a clear picture, but at a very low magnification, and it seems it was only a scratch mark and not anything special with the surface morphology. The microscopy specialist told me that I will have to learn how to coat my samples in ions so that the SEM machine works better. It's a shame that the next class is on July 25....
I have a lot of questions and doubts and not a lot of answers from anyone (but the microscopy expert Jerry). I hope to see my advisor in the lab, but no response from text messages in the morning seem like a clear sign that I won't get those questions answered today.
Ala Viva
I have a month left, and I still have much to do. The lab techniques for sample preparation are out of the way, I just need to learn how to analyze these samples. Although I have already taken a class in how to use the Scanning Electron Microscope, my PI still is asking for me to learn how to use the Atomic Force Microscope in order to analyze the active layers for my project.
At the end of last week, I prepared dummy samples to run under the SEM microscope. They were created at 1/2 of the normal polymer concentration, specially meant for practice purposes only. In the hope that my project advisor was going to show up today, I ran these dummies under the SEM microscope, but to no success.
I was able to procure a clear picture, but at a very low magnification, and it seems it was only a scratch mark and not anything special with the surface morphology. The microscopy specialist told me that I will have to learn how to coat my samples in ions so that the SEM machine works better. It's a shame that the next class is on July 25....
I have a lot of questions and doubts and not a lot of answers from anyone (but the microscopy expert Jerry). I hope to see my advisor in the lab, but no response from text messages in the morning seem like a clear sign that I won't get those questions answered today.
Ala Viva
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