infocus Library

6 March 2021 March 2021

Designing a microCT instrument for planetary exploration

Planetary ice is a multiphase material consisting of solid ice, particulates, gas inclusions, and in some cases liquid and precipitates. The size, shape and arrangement of particulates and the size and connectivity of voids can reveal something about depositional history and past climate.

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6 March 2021 March 2021

An Unusual Old Microscope

infocus readers may recall my recent article on the superb Science Heritage Collection of replica antique microscopes (issue 57, March 2020), kindly donated to the RMS by Dr and Mrs James McCormick.

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6 March 2021 March 2021

MicROCKScopica

I have been studying and photographing rocks under all sorts of microscopes for more than thirty years. I enjoy this part of my work as a geologist more than ever. A good optical microscope, with a well-trained eye, is still the essential tool for successful research in my field.

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6 March 2021 March 2021

The changing face of microscopy: Celebrating 15 Years of infocus

…It’s March 2006 and the first ever issue of infocus is hot off the presses. Facebook is about to open up its social network to the world – but no one will be using an iPhone to update their status for another year. The word ‘twitter’ merely relates to birdsong, and any zooming being done is strictly within the realms of speed and scale.

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6 March 2021 March 2021

Book Review: Essentials of Polarized Light Microscopy

Anyone who has been active in the microscopy community for any decent length of time will know John Delly who works at the McCrone Group. He is an excellent didactic teacher, widely respected for his knowledge and ability to teach and instruct.

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6 December 2020 December 2020

The Microscopists: Have you checked out the ‘Godfather’ of all podcasts?

With a raft of ground-breaking discoveries, publications and high-profile conference appearances, today’s leading scientific figures might be familiar faces across the microscopy community. But what makes these great minds tick? What pearls of wisdom might they be able to offer the rest of us? And – perhaps most revealingly - what do these characters get up to in their spare time?

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6 December 2020 December 2020

Exploring Nvidia’s Jetson Xavier NX

This research was carried out to demonstrate the ability of a tiny computer (a Jetson Xavier NX) to view and then capture images seen using a 3D printed microscope and a Raspberry Pi camera. The 3D printed microscope was previously printed in the lab using the OpenFlexure project, and all the materials were sent to me so that I was able to construct the microscope myself and safely work from home.

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6 December 2020 December 2020

Studying the dynamics of platelet actin nodules using TIRF microscopy and image analysis

The aim of this project was to study the dynamics of platelet actin nodules using TIRF microscopy and image analysis, in order to investigate the effects of different inhibitors on nodule dynamics.

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6 December 2020 December 2020

Microscopic Analysis of Historic Textile Fibres Pre- and Post-Cleaning

Bleaching is a last-resort method used by textile conservators to preserve historic textiles. The process removes stains but can give rise to structural damage on the fibre level.

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6 December 2020 December 2020

The Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp

Throughout its history, the RMS has seen its fair share of colourful and multi-faceted characters - perhaps none more so than Sir Francis Crisp, the lawyer and amateur microscopist who went on to inspire a Beatle.

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