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).

Science Trends for 2013: Microbiomes

This past year, science research has seen an increase in focus on human genome and diseases and earth's microbiomes. 

At the past AGBT convention, Kjersti Aagaard gave an amazing presentation on the human placentia. Her group claims that this is not a sterile organ and that it harbors a  non-pathogenic commensal microbiome which was the most similar to the oral cavity microbiome. Kjersti concludes that she believes that the fetus is not sterile and that the microbiome may be related to the immune tolerance of neonates. 

Jonas Korlach from PBS and Stephan Schuster from Penn State University also touched on tools for microbial sequencing at the convention. They discussed a new assembly approach  and sequencing environmental microbes. He stressed that much of earth's microbiome remains undefined and unidentified. 

This year and the next years to come will have more and more scientists leading extensive research on microbiome identification and advanced human microbiome projects. 

How to Focus a Microscope

Focusing your microscope is the key to getting the clear image quality you expect out of your microscope. When first looking at a specimen, the item will almost always never be focused. Learning how to focus your microscope is the essential step to assure proper observations and results. 

Here a five easy steps for focusing your microscope:
1. Place prepared slide underneath the viewing tray of the microscope and secure with clips 

2. Look through your eyepiece and determine if you can see the specimen. The specimen may be fuzzy and/or unrecognizable.

3. Turn the coarse focus knob slowly. Continue turning the coarse focus knob until the specimen becomes recognizable.

4. Next slowly turn the fine focus knob until the image becomes sharper and clear. At this point small details about the the specimen should be crystal clear. 

5. Adjust the diaphragm of the microscope to ensure the entire specimen is in your peripheral view. 

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

More on Darkfield Microscopy

Darkfield microscopy requires a special stand containing a reflective mirror and light shielding plate at a specific angle. The inverted hollow cone is projective of the desired image at an oblique angle. This process is the same for both stereo microscopes and standard compound microscopes. 

Good specimens for darkfield microscopy are those close in value to their background images. Small aquatic organisms and cells are ideal for such microscopic lighting technique. Specimens preferred for use with brightfield lighting are not recommended. Other ideal specimens for darkfield microscopy under a stereo microscope include bones, fibers, yeast, and hairs.

Illumination from brightfield lighting involves blocking out central light rays along the central axis. Blocking these rays allows for only oblique angled rays to strike the specimen resulting in a hollowed cone illumination of the desired specimen.

In darkfield lighting, contrast is greatly enhanced by the lighting technique at hand. Highly oblique light rays, diffracted by the specimen and yielding first, second, and higher diffracted orders at the rear focal plane of the objective, proceed onto the image plane where they interfere with one another to produce an image of the specimen.

We recommend our 1600X Darkfield Compound 9MP Digital Siedentopf PLAN Microscope
with 4 PLAN objectives and darkfield condenser. 

Featured Product: Trinocular Zoom Stereo Microscope

This week we are featuring one of our top selling microscopes..
Our 7X-45X Trinocular Zoom Stereo Microscope with Dual Lights includes a 5.0 Megapixel Camera and software compatible with Windows XP/Vista/7. The included software can be used to make measurements on your PC. The 2592 X 1944 pixels from the USB digital camera can capture both still and live images on your computer, making this microscope ideal for live specimen analysis and laboratory observations.

This microscope includes an adjustable barlow lens that can extend the working distance up to 6.25" long and the field of view to be as wide as 2.38" long. This microscope also includes dual halogen lights with adjustable intensities.  This microscope is ideal for biological research labs, engravers, watchmakers, gemologists, jewelers, collectors, and those in electronic related industries. 

This microscope is also easily customizable as well. You can add a darkfield stage for darkfield observations. A boom stand and gooseneck light for a larger work space. You can also add different eyepieces, lights, and cameras. The possibilities are endless with the Trinocular Zoom Stereo Microscope. 

Shop Microscope now: Click here

Microscopes For Students

Buying a microscope can sometimes seem like a difficult challenge because there are so many variations of microscopes out on the market today. It is important to be mindful of your intended use and level of expertise before purchasing a student microscope. 

You don't have to be an expert to select an adequate microscope suitable for classroom and homework use. The following feature list will help you narrow down your search and give you an idea of what to look for when purchasing a student microscope.

1. Dual Focusing- Look for coarse and fine focus for a precise focal point
2. A Built in Light- Optimizes viewing of the specimen under the microscope
3. A Mechanical Stage- Allows you to move the slide horizontally and vertically to have a better look at the specimen
4. Binocular Eyepieces- to ensure you are not straining one eye trying to focus on a specimen. 

We recommend starting out with a compound microscope which can be used at higher magnifications and observe small transparent specimens. This is ideal for lab work and science courses. 

Product Recommendation:
Lab Binocular Biological Compound Microscope 40X-1600X w Halogen Light $229.99

Advantages of Purchasing a Digital Microscope

Digital microscopes have helped simplify scientific observation and research in modern times. A digital microscope is generally a compound or stereo microscope with a built in digital camera that is compatible with a PC or TV. The images are projected onto the monitor and can even be saved as JPEG and video files on a computer. These data saving options are great for extensive research and referencing. 

The main advantage of a digital microscope, is that is is suitable for educational purposes. Many students in various fields such as biology, chemistry, and medicine can view specimens from a digital camera hooked up to their home computer. This is a great time saver and also ensures that research results are more accurate because they can cross-reference their research findings with live and still images.  Students can recall the image later to describe it in greater detail for an observation report. 

Another advantage to using a digital microscope, is that it allows for researchers and students to print images from their microscope and use them for projects and research both in the lab and in the classroom. 

For students we recommend our Digital Compound Microscope with 1.3 MP Camera. This a great starter microscope for students at a freshman and sophomore level. 

For professionals, we recommend our Trinocular Metallurgic Microscope with 2.0 MP Camera. This microscope is ideal for metallurgical and electronic industries. 

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