Experiments for Silica CharacterizationRachel Feltner

Structure Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Electron interactions with atoms in sample Uses: topography, composition, electron,

conductivity, and more X-ray Diffraction (XRD)

Measure how x-ray scatters due to target Uses: structural analysis

BET Theory Relates adsorption of gas to surface area Uses: measure surface area

Cellular Response Self-Referencing

Technique using concentration sensors Accurately measure flux of metabolic analytes Uses: quantify cell response to mineralization

Confocal Microscopy Improved microscopy that eliminates “background

noise” Uses: has been combined with live/dead assay

Flow Cytometry Measures fluorescents and scattering effects of

particles Uses: DNA and RNA content, cell viability, apoptosis,

cell adherence, ect.

Composition Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX,

EDS) Measures x-rays released from the filling of

electron holes Uses: determine the constituent atoms of sample

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) Measures infrared absorption, emission, Raman

scattering, ect. Uses: determine what bonds are present in

sample

Other Techniques Particle Sizing

Multisizer 4 Coulter Counter used in Dave’s paper

Uses: determine how much biofilm breaks off in flow

Fluorescent Micrographs Fluorescent dye added to gel Uses: determine if premade gel has made

a coat on cells