University System of Maryland

Atp Corp.

Myron E Taylor

Richard A Smucker

The present invention pertains to scanning electron microscope devices with an improved design that allows for lower magnification capabilities without signal degradation. In particular, the design improvement is in the aperture carrier for the electron detector/differential pumping system therein. Advantages of this improvement include shorter working distances of a specimen under examination to obtain the same magnification for prior art type ESEM apparatus, lower magnification capabilities of an ESEM apparatus, better signal/noise ratio of the specimen and higher chamber pressures in which the specimen can be examined. Other features of the invention herein includes use of a variable displacement mount for holding the sample using a piston design which allows for variable detector positioning with respect to the specimen.

Low magnification gas limiting aperture assembly for electron microscopy

A method of feeding bivalves comprises periodically adding comminuted chitin-containing material having particles smaller than 40 .mu.m to a body of water containing bivalves. Arthropod exoskeletons, and particularly, crab shells, are a relatively inexpensive and readily obtainable chitin-containing material that can be comminuted and used for feeding bivalves.

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Brookeville, MD, United States of America

Myron E Taylor