Microscopy lab and elemental mapping services in the USA
3 min readMicroscopy and elemental mapping services by Microvisionlabs.com? As indicated in the FTIR spectral comparison below, the suspect material showed a near perfect match for acetylsalicylic acid. Additionally, there was a small amount of dibasic phosphate present. It was determined that the material was likely acetylsalicylic acid with a phosphate binder – an aspirin. Therefore, from this analysis the suspect material in the bottle was likely a household aspirin tablet, broken apart and separated by the water. In order to confirm the identification, a few aspirin tablets from several common manufacturers were obtained, roughly ground, and soaked to allow for comparison. The optical morphology of the crystals, size range of the particles, association with the phosphate and FTIR spectrum all were consistent with the original suspect material. A report detailing the methods and findings in full narrative form was rendered to the client.
Our membrane autopsy service uses a combination of microscopy techniques to examine filtration membranes and identify the elemental and chemical composition of any foulant materials present. This analysis also categorizes the degree of fouling and notes any other causes for poor performance, such as physical damage to the membrane surface. MicroVision Labs has extensive experience examining a wide variety of RO, UF and MF membranes, including hollow fibers, cartridge, spiral wound, and tubular membranes.
Do you give lab tours? Yes, we routinely give lab tours to our clients and potential clients. Please call and we would be happy to schedule a tour for you and your co-workers. Do you have other locations around the country? We do work for companies all across the United States, with one laboratory which is located in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Did MicroVision Labs ever operate under a different company name? No, we have always been MicroVision Laboratories, Inc. Our founder, John Knowles, used to work for another laboratory that underwent several name changes (Eastern Analytical Laboratories, Industrial Environmental Analysts, American Environmental Network, Severn Trent Laboratories, and EMLab P&K Billeria) and was located nearby in Billerica. When that laboratory was closed in 2008, John hired a few of the remaining analysts and acquired its equipment, client list and phone number. See a few extra details on see it here.
A device manufacturer had a product that involved a few different boards with varying components. There were circumstances that caused the need for a change in manufacturers of one of the boards. Due to this change, the device production at this facility would be shut down until the boards from this new vendor were validated. The Quality Control department required that an inspection of the solder joints of some of the components on the board be analyzed in order to determine whether this new board manufacturer met their specifications. If the desired specifications were met and no issues were found during the inspection of the joints then production of the devices could resume.
MicroVision Laboratories, Inc. has been providing businesses, consultants and other testing laboratories with expert microscopy and analytical services since 2003. Our client base covers a broad spectrum of industries including semi-conductors, aerospace, electronics, biomedical, ceramics, optics, pharmaceuticals, mineralogy, metallurgy, thin films, environmental, membranes filtration and industrial hygiene.
An affected floor tile was submitted to determine if the previous mold testing had missed a source on the tile backing or mastic. Additionally, a new tile from the same manufacturing lot was submitted for comparison. The process of preparing and examining the sample and reference tile was documented. Areas with darkened surface features were imaged and then cut out and examined. While the dark spots looked very discrete when examined by eye, under top light polarized microscopy they appeared more diffuse at the outer edges. The darkest areas surrounded what appeared to be particles embedded in the surface. See extra info on this website.