Microscopic Worlds: Freshwater Microscopic Fauna

  A movie about microscopic life showing some of the freshwater microscopic fauna under high magnifications. We are surrounded with various living creatures, but how often do we notice the tiniest ones and how small can they be? Such common but inconspicuous organisms like water fleas, seed shrimps, and hydras are less than a centimeter in size but they are very important components of the freshwater ecosystems.

Watch Video:

 

Microscopic Worlds - Life that we don't see from Daniel Stoupin on Vimeo.

Fluorescence Microscopy

In fluorescence microscopy, the sample of what is studied is the light source. Fluorescence microscopy is centered around the idea that various materials emit visible light when irradiated with the light from a specific wavelength. Some samples are naturally fluorescent such as chlorophyll.

Image provided by: http://www.gonda.ucla.edu/bri_core/fluoresc.htm

The image is created when the microscope has a filter that sorts our the strength of the light emitted and matches the wavelength with the material.  When the radiation collides with the atom in the specimen, electrons are excited to a higher energy level. The light is the separated with another filter, and are projected in the microscope with high contrast against a dark background.

Fluorescence microscopy is rapidly expanding in the medical and biological field due to its abilities to identify cellular composition with great detail and accuracy.

Image provided by: http://www.intechopen.com/source/html/16436/media/image4.png

Current Event: Quantum Biology could open up path for Solar Technology

Students and researchers from the University of Chicago have recently created a synthetic compound that is similar to quantum dynamics observed in photosynthesis. This may lead to further advances in solar energy technology. Engineering quantum effects into synthesis light devices is possible in the future.

Chicago University researchers have created a small molecule that support long lived quantum coherences. 

• Coherences are the macroscopically observable behavior of quantum super-positions. 
• Superpositions are quantum mechanical concept where a single particle, such as an electron, occupies more than one state
• Photosynthetic Antennae are proteins that organize chlorophyll 

Research Results/ Summary: 
Improved efficiency in the transferring of energy from the parts of the cell that convert directly from solar energy to chemical energy. New results show that this new form of energy can be directly applied to man-made compound(s).

Featured Product: Student Microscope 40X-2000X Lab Binocular Biological Compound Microscope

A compound microscope is ideal for students majoring in bio/medical fields as well as for homeschooling and hobbyists. Compound microscopes are ideal for slide observations, which is what most students are required to examine in the classroom. Our Binocular Biological Compound Microscope is an ideal starter microscope for students and is on promotion right now for a low price of $198.99. 

This microscope is great for students because it can be easily upgraded with a digital camera, a darkfield adjustment, and slides. This microscope is easily customizable and easy to use. Compound microscopes will continue to be a crucial part of research in scientific fields. The compound microscope is still a mainstay in many fields and also is a wonderful tool for students to begin with when learning how to use these instruments in a laboratory. Their ability to provide higher magnifications and excellent resolution of a specimen makes the compound microscope an important tool for scientists and students alike.

Product features include: 

• High quality professional optical glass elements
• 45°inclined 360°swiveling binocular head
• Easy to mount electronic eyepiece (digital microscope camera)
• 8 levels of magnification: 40X-80X-100X-200X-400X-800X-1000X-2000X
• 4 achromatic objectives 
• 2 pairs of eyepieces: WF10X and WF20X
• Sliding interpupillary distance adjustment
• Ocular diopter adjustable on both eyetubes
• Variable intensity illumination
• Coaxial coarse and fine focus adjustment
• Focusing knobs on both sides
• Stage upward moving lock protects objectives and slides
• Stain-resistant double layer mechanical stage
• NA1.25 Abbe Condenser with iris diaphragm & filters
• Rack and pinion adjustment condenser
• Product GS and CE approved

Phase Contrast Microscopy

Phase contrast microscopy is a technique that coverts phase shifts in light passing a semi-transparent specimens. Phase contrast microscopy is particularly useful for biology studies and research because it reveals molecular cell structures that may not be detectable using a bright field method. Phase changes are made possible with the separation of light from the specimen. 

Phase contrast microscopy makes it possible for biologists to study living cells and cell division as well as live video recording of living organisms. It is recommended to use a microscope with both bright field and phase contrast options, preferably with a digital camera for optimal viewing of both still and live specimens. 

Our 1600X Phase Contrast Siedentopf 3MP Digital Compound Microscope is ideal for biology students, laboratories  and researchers alike. This microscope has three viewing options along with a PC compatible software that can be used for measurements with no slide staining required.


The phase contrast kit on this microscope comes with a(n):

• phase kit condenser
• telescopic eyepiece
• four plain objectives
• eight levels of magnification

Inverted Microscopes

Inverted Microscopes are not your conventional microscope, however, their purpose and functions are far more useful when observing live cultures and organisms. An inverted microscope differs from a conventional compound or stereo microscope because the lens is below the stage and the light source is illuminating from above instead of below the stage. Some of our inverted microscopes also have options for using a digital camera for viewing images on a TV/ PC. 

Inverted Microscopes are ideal for specimens that are larger, thick in consistency, multidimensional, or collect on the bottom of a flask or dish. Viewing techniques from an inverted microscope are extensive with bright field and polarized light observation capabilities. 

Check out our Inverted Infinity Metallurgical Microscope with 40X-400X and a 9MP Camera

Features Include:

• An Inverted Optical System
• Larger stage and extended plate for larger specimens
• Widefield Eyepieces
• A 9 MP High Resolution Digital Camera
• 30 Watt Halogen Bulbs 
• Bright Field Light Settings
• Polarized Light Settings

For more information and product specifications regarding our selection of inverted microscopes visit our website at the link here.

Polarized Microscopes

Polarized microscopes are ideal for optical mineralogy because it makes the light contrast with the background and illuminate the sample strongly. Illumination with a polarized microscope is similar to that of a brightfield illumination microscope, however a polarized microscope can also distinguish between iso and anisotropic substances. Polarized microscopes provide very detailed images that help with mineral identification and characteristic analysis.

Polarized light occurs when light is absorbed by an object such as a mineral. A polarized microscope has a polarizer and an analyzer, both which work together they cross making no light pass through the microscope. The polarizer and analyzer are key pieces to a polarized microscope. Other accessories you may be interested in purchasing for your microscope include a specialized stage, stain free objective lens, revolving nosepiece, and a compensator. 

For product information and features check out our website for a wide selection of polarized microscopes and accessories. 

Click the link to shop our selection of polarized microscopes

Microscope 101:

Microscopy..whether it be for educational purposes, research, or just plain curiosity..we all have to learn the basics. After this tutorial you will be able to identify the various aspects of a basic microscope and be able to know how to adjust the settings and magnification accordingly.

Microscope Component Overview:

• Binocular Eyepieces: Looking lens for your microscope
• Objectives: Usually consisting of 3 magnification settings 
• Stage: Hold your slides in place
• Light source: Illuminate image at hand
• Fine focus control: fine focus adjustments
• Rough focus control: rough focus adjustments
• Stage control Adjustments: adjusts stage closer and farther and from side to side
• Dimmer switch: Controls light source level and intensity

Adjusting Your Microscope:

• Turn on light source
• Adjust stage and light settings
• Start off on lowest magnification setting
• Adjust focus on image under slide

Now that you have a better understanding about the basics of a compound and stereo microscope you can browse our inventory to find out which microscope suits your personal and educational needs.

Read purchasing guide: http://bit.ly/14Ao11V

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