About the module
Volume microscopy enables three-dimensional visualization of the internal structure of materials from the nanoscale to the microscale. Techniques such as dual-beam microscopy (FIB-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy allow researchers to investigate the internal architecture of biomaterials, including pore distribution and connectivity, the progression of material degradation, and the interface between biomaterials and biological tissue. In this module, participants will apply volume microscopy techniques to characterize porous hydroxyapatite-based biomaterials developed for bone regeneration. In addition to volume microscopy, students will use complementary analytical methods, including energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and electron diffraction, to correlate structural and compositional information across different scales.
Syllabus
- Electron-microscopy fundamentals and electron–matter interactions.
- Microscope alignment and volume-microscopy fundamentals.
- Physical principles of FIB-SEM and TEM electron tomography.
- Sample preparation and three-dimensional data acquisition.
- Alignment, reconstruction, segmentation and rendering of 3D volumes.
- Analysis of porosity, connectivity, thickness, tortuosity and surface area.
- EDS, electron diffraction and integration of structural and compositional data.
- Structural evolution of biomaterials before and after implantation in bone tissue.
Prerequisites
No prerequisites.
Bibliography
- Goldstein, J. I. et al. Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Analysis. Plenum, New York, 2003.
- Williams, D. B.; Carter, C. B. Transmission Electron Microscopy. Plenum, New York, 2009.
- Farina, M. Uma Introdução à Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão. Livraria da Física, Rio de Janeiro, 2010.
- Yao, N. Focused Ion Beam Systems: Basics and Applications. Cambridge University Press, 2007.