Perspectives: Teaching the TEM Training Course at MVA

By Matt Underwood

Recently I had the privilege of teaching the hands-on portion of the Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) class offered at MVA. The class covers asbestos related topics, such as, sample preparation, analysis and reporting for the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) method,  ASTM method D6281 and ASTM method D5755.

I was initially nervous about having to teach others to operate a TEM, it has become second nature at this point, and I don’t normally have to put the dozens of movements and switches into words.  My apprehension quickly subsided as I realized that they were just eager students looking for information. It was interesting to learn each student’s knowledge of TEM , level of proficiency and what they were looking to get out of the class; it ranged from someone with no experience at all, whose lab was debating on purchasing a TEM, to students fully capable of operating the instrument. One student was particularly interested in calibrations, so we discussed the various monthly, quarterly and annual calibrations more in-depth.

One challenge was communicating the aspects that are universal to all TEM’s and the aspects that are particular to the Philips EM420 that we were working on. One way to illustrate this point was by showing them the similarities and differences between the three TEM’s that we have in the lab, Phillips CM120, Phillips EM420 and Phillips CM200UT. The CM120 and CM200 are more digitalized and each has a different camera set-up with its own software.

I think that all of the students left feeling more comfortable and confident operating a TEM. I definitely felt that after I took the same class right here at MVA a few years ago. I hope that the students continue to find electron microscopy work as interesting and intellectually stimulating as I do.

To read more about the class, and sign up for the next one, click here.

Photo features Matt Underwood analyzing samples with the TEM.

If you are interested in TEM courses, please contact us at info@mvainc.com.