With participants from 68 countries, the International Microscopy Congress 2014 (IMC Prague) provides the largest international platform for sharing knowledge, exchanging views and experience, and discussing all aspects of microscopy. The Congress host, the Czechoslovak Microscopy Society (CSMS) is the most significant scientific association focused on microscopy in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. With its almost 250 members, CSMS is an active member of the European Microscopy Society and focuses on development and advancement of standards in the field and organizing exchanges of scientific information. One of the highlights of the show is a symposium dedicated to materials in geology, mineralogy and archeology. An introduction from the show website reads:
Microscopy has traditionally been an indispensible tool in investigating geological materials. Recent improvements in resolution of modern electron microscopes have opened up new possibilities for the characterization of geological materials at the nanoscale level (HRTEM/HRSTEM), including crystallographic (ED, NBD, CBED) and microchemical (EDS, EELS, EFTEM) characterizations. This symposium focuses on a microscopic characterization of geomaterials from a wide range of research areas, including traditional earth sciences.
In order to understand the microstructure and chemical composition of geological samples, geologists, geophysicists and environmental engineers in mineral and mining companies turn to electron microscopy and electron microprobe analysis. X-ray microanalysis, which will be on display at the show, is a key technology that provides elemental analysis of microstructures and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). EDS is ideal for sample surveys and compositional mapping. For excellent spectral resolution for measuring the L- and M-lines of heavier elements critical to good geological analysis, wavelength dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (WDS) is the most common technique. Spectral imaging has fundamentally changed the way X-ray microanalysis is used. With a complete spectrum acquired at every point, it is the ideal platform for X-ray mapping, linescans and data processing. We will be in booth 36-37 showing the latest advances in EDS mapping routines, including quantitative element mapping, elemental phase mapping, and spectral phase mapping. In addition, we’ll show how electron backscatter diffraction technology can be fully integrated with scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) and EDS to examine the crystallographic orientation of SEM samples. If you are planning on staying some extra days in the area, Prague is a charming city situated in the very heart of Europe. It has a rich history, magnificent architecture (known as the city of “hundred spires”) and a unique culture influenced by various styles that have appeared over the centuries. One place not to miss is Prague Old Town, where you can discover the ‘architectural pearls among the winding alleys.’ If you can’t join us in Prague,the show website offers a virtual microscopy tour of the area, including microscopic pictures of symplektites with granulite from the masonry of the bridge pylons, granulite pavement in front of the old town hall, granite paving with pyroxenite inclusions from the “Golden Path” where kings crossed on the way to their coronation at the Prague Castle cathedral, estite/gneiss from the Prague Castle flagstones., kinzigite flagstones from the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Vitus, hydrozircon formation in the sandstone of Bohemian Paradise, granite boulders mixed with myrmekite, and altered allanite from the Krkonose mountain range. The samples are beautifully colored. You can also follow the show on Facebook and Twitter. If you will be attending the show, here are the details: Show Details: International Microscopy Congress 2014 Booth 36-37 Prague, Czech Republic September 7-12, 2014 Live Microanalysis Demonstrations at IMC 2014. Sign up here! Spaces are limited. Live Microanalysis Educational workshops to learn new or refresh your skills in EDS, WDS and EBSD. Sign up here! Spaces are limited.
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