U12-E22. SEM Hitachi TM4000Plus II for morphological and dimensional characterization of solid samples Description: Low vacuum Scanning Electron Microscopy with two electron detectors (secondary, SE, and backscattered, BSE). SE imaging provides a detailed information of the morphology of the sample and BSE gives information about the different components of the sample, based on the different atomic number (the higher the atomic number, the brighter the surface). Appropriate vacuum levels are reached using a turbo molecular pump and electron beams are directed to sample specimens with accelerating voltages between 5 and 20 kV, which allow magnifications from 10x to 100,000x. Specimens with size up to 80 mm diameter and/or 50 mm thickness can be observed. Conductive and non-conductive samples can be characterized with little or no previous preparation. The software enables image processing of micrographs, for measuring the size of solid particles after the acquisition of images. Applications: Topographical and morphological characterization of tissues, hairs, fibers, etc. Quality control and failure analysis. Morphological properties are quite important in the research of innovative materials. In addition, the characterization of the surface is a key factor in porous materials used for delivery systems. Semiconductor inspection and microchip assembly, to analyse the topography and to investigate the effectiveness of production methods.