Considerations for Automated Multi-Frame Particle Sizing in the SEM

Camus, Paula; Rohde, D

doi:10.1017/s1431927606069066

Cited by 1 publication

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“…CCSEM-EDX has the ability to analyze on a frame-by-frame basis and gather particle size, shape (e.g., aspect ratio), and elemental (i.e., chemical) characteristics for individual particles [37]. Such analysis of particulates has been developing since the mid-1970s (e.g., see [43,44]), and significant progress has been made over the years to increase the rate, reliability, and level of data collection achievable per particle (e.g., see [45][46][47]). The ability to characterize many more particles with CCSEM (vs. manual SEM) generally improves reproducibility of results and statistical confidence in the data collected [45][46][47].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such analysis of particulates has been developing since the mid-1970s (e.g., see [43,44]), and significant progress has been made over the years to increase the rate, reliability, and level of data collection achievable per particle (e.g., see [45][46][47]). The ability to characterize many more particles with CCSEM (vs. manual SEM) generally improves reproducibility of results and statistical confidence in the data collected [45][46][47]. As such, CCSEM has seen increasing use for particulate analysis in a range of environmental applications, including identification of respiratory hazards like crystalline silica in specific dust sources (e.g., [48,49]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Computer-Controlled SEM-EDX Routine for Characterizing Respirable Coal Mine Dust

2017

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A recent resurgence in coal workers' pneumoconiosis (or "black lung") and concerns over other related respiratory illnesses have highlighted the need to elucidate characteristics of airborne particulates in occupational environments. A better understanding of particle size, aspect ratio, or chemical composition may offer new insights regarding causal factors of such illnesses. Scanning electron microscopy analysis using energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) can be used to estimate these particle characteristics. If conducted manually, such work can be very time intensive, limiting the number of particles that can be analyzed. Moreover, potential exists for user bias in interpretation of EDX spectra. A computer-controlled (CC) routine, on the other hand, can allow similar analysis at a much faster rate, increasing total particle counts and reproducibility of results. This paper describes a CCSEM-EDX routine specifically developed for analysis of respirable dust samples from coal mines. The routine is verified based on reliability of results obtained on samples of known materials, and reproducibility of results obtained on a set of 10 dust samples collected in the field. The characteristics of the field samples are also discussed with respect to mine occupational environments.

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