Under the Electron Microscope

It may be hard to believe but the first electron microscope was developed by German physicist Hans Busch in 1926 with a prototype built by Ernst Ruska and the electrical engineer Max Knoll in 1931.  In 1933 Ruska built an electron microscope (or EM) that surpassed the resolution which could be achieved with a light microscope.  Yet perhaps even Ruska could not have envisioned future developments, which mean that today we can see things such as the zinc oxide particle (above) in more detail than ever before.

Image Credit Flickr User PNNL

The difference between an EM and the microscope of old is fairly straightforward even if the science which separates them is not.  An EM uses an electron beam to illuminate a specimen rather than light.  As such is can make out tiny details of a given object with a significantly greater resolving power than a light microscope. The detail is greater because the wavelength is shorter: visible light photons are about 100,000 times longer than those of electrons in terms of wavelength.  The picture above shows the aftermath of fayalite reacting with gaseous CO2 to form siderite, thereby capturing the CO2 in a solid, stable form  

What is Nano?

We are truly living in the age of nano technology, but would you be able, if asked, to explain what exactly the word nano means?  No, me neither.

This short animated film explains exactly what a nano meter is to a small girl, using a hair on her head as the starting point.  This animation combines excellent production standards with a clear remit of what is explained - and it is done in a way which will leave you wondering why you didn't know that already.

It is created by Zensoft Studios, innovators of digital media experience that educate, inform, and entertain. In their own words: Science Alberta Foundation put us to the test with the challenge to design two short animations that would clearly illustrate the concept of the nano scale and outline the careers that utilize nano materials or develop nano technology.

...and didn't they do a wonderful job!

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