Particle Characterization Workshop – 2015 Southeastern Microscopy Society

Last week MVA Scientific Consultants and the Southeastern Microscopy Society (SEMS) collaborated to host a half-day Particle Characterization Workshop. The objective of the workshop was to teach industry professionals the approach we use for particle analysis.

The workshop received overwhelming demand as all the spots were filled on the first day that it was announced. We had nine attendees with various backgrounds in environmental testing, academic research, material characterization, forensic concrete analysis and particle testing.

The particle characterization workshop was divided into two sessions. The first session was a presentation on why we do particle characterization and what analytical techniques we use. The second session was a hands-on exercise on particle handling and sample preparation plus real-time demonstration of particle analysis by polarized light microscopy, micro-infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.

Bill Turner (MVA) demonstrating how to use a polarizing light microscope for particle characterization.

James Burgess from Bruker describing how to use infrared microscopy for particle characterization.

Rich Brown (now retired, MVA) going over the basic analytical approach for particle characterization.

This half-day particle characterization workshop is designed to teach basic particle handling techniques and introduce the analytical tools used for particle characterization and identification. Due to overwhelming demand, MVA Scientific Consultants is planning to offer a full day particle characterization workshop to allow more time for hands-on participation.