Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
immediately introduces artifacts that modify the initial structure. Knowing the
effects of each chemical component used on the structure is fundamental to good
interpretation.
In addition to all of this, the material's response to the application of the tech-
nique and the artifacts created takes the chemical, physical, mechanical, etc., prop-
erties of the material into account. They can be used as indices for understanding
the problems related to the structure-property-function relationship.
In TEM, the sample preparation technique is always cumbersome and stressful
for the material. At the moment of observation, our critical mind is of paramount
importance because we know the perfect sample does not exist. The microscopist
therefore must
-
completely master the technique in order to prevent the introduction of too many
modifications to the sample;
-
choose the best technique with regard to the material and the problem posed;
-
recognize the unavoidable artifacts of each technique in order to deduct them from
the interpretations; and
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during TEM observation, select the thin slice areas that contain no artifacts or as
few artifacts as possible.