In-depth articles written by our editorial team focusing on the latest developments in materials science and technology
Bright-field microscopy uses light to produce a dark image against a bright background. Often considered one of the simplest types of microscopy, a bright-field microscope uses an objective, condenser and eyepiece to magnify the image of a sample so the eye can see more minor features.
By Rebecca Ingle, Ph.D
26 Oct 2022
Phase contrast microscopy manipulates phase shifts in light as it passes through transparent specimens. By converting phase shifts to changes in amplitude (brightness), the method enables scientists to view organic and biological samples with high levels of detail without needing sample preparation, staining, or labeling.
By Ben Pilkington
26 Oct 2022
Confocal microscopy is an optical imaging technique that relies on spatial filtering methods to remove contributions to the image from regions of the sample that are not immediately in focus.
By Rebecca Ingle, Ph.D
25 Oct 2022
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was first demonstrated in 1985 by Binnig, Quate and Gerber. Since then, the high-resolution non-optical imaging technique has become a powerful tool for surface analysis.
By Sarah Moore
25 Oct 2022
A microscope is used to magnify the image of tiny objects. The objects are clearly seen with a microscope because at least one lens magnifies the image. This lens refracts the light so that it enters the eye and magnifies distant objects.
By Usman Ahmed
24 Oct 2022
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) – a bespoke tool for materials scientists for decades– is used in almost every technological field of endeavor. There are TEM applications across industry, forensics, and advanced research.
By Ben Pilkington
24 Oct 2022
This article will look at how dark field microscopy works, its applications, as well as its benefits and limitations.
By Sarah Moore
19 Oct 2022
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) play significant roles in various biological events. Due to their non-intuitive physical structures, analysis and understanding of their dynamics have proven challenging. Innovative atomic force microscopy techniques have emerged as a potential tool to gain insights into the structure of IDPs.
By Ilamaran Sivarajah
30 Sep 2022
This article will discuss the types of optical sensors that have been developed and their applications.
By Dr. Priyom Bose
29 Sep 2022
Recent work has demonstrated the possibility of using a flexible, ultra-thin holographic endoscope for the microscopic imaging of tissues using an approach known as lensless Fourier holographic imaging.
By Rebecca Ingle, Ph.D
29 Sep 2022