Usefulness Of Dissecting Microscope For Engineers
A dissecting microscope is a low magnifying microscope, which is typically used to observe and excise a given subject. Subjects may vary from a small plant to parts of animals. It can also cover the observation of electronic parts and complicated components of metals and rocks.
Nowadays, a dissecting microscope is not just remembered as something used for high school biology classes. It has served a lot of purpose and one of these is in the field of engineering. Engineers employ this kind of microscope as it is configured to tolerate low magnification. It has two separate lenses, as it is so called, binocular, which enables the user to view the object in three dimensions. It can also magnify from 10x up to as high as 40x.
In the field of engineering, it has been an ease to any engineer’s study as they create human solutions to various problems by inventing new things that we need. Those marvels include digital televisions, personal computers, cellular phones, microwave ovens, jet skis, race cares, disposable cameras, hair dryers, and a lot more which cannot fit into any lists.
There are also material science engineers who work with complicated molecular structures. For example in building bridges, they make use of dissecting microscopes to ascertain that the molecular structures of asphalt and steel; that the concrete will withstand every environmental conditions and the structure of the bridge can withstand the weight of every heavy motor vehicles and trucks. In addition to this and to other valuable projects, engineers examine specific materials to make them stronger, more durable and even lighter to use. Composition of structures has to be capable of withstanding high or low temperature with resistance to corrosion and breakage.
Another example is to study composite materials for many automobile parts, which had positive impact to gas mileage and car design. In addition, there are also snowboards and water skis. Their materials have been carefully examined to enhance the performance and provide more enjoyment to sports enthusiasts.
In the field of physics and chemistry, engineers make use of the dissecting microscopes to study the properties of various types of materials including metals, polymers or plastics, ceramics, semiconductors, and composites. They focus on the material’s composition, how the materials are made and how are they going to behave when exposed to external factors. Dissecting microscope scans the surfaces of these materials and produce magnified images to figure out the nature of the specimen as it provides images having most complex details. This ways engineers can better understand the behavior and organization of the material.
Dissecting microscopes are also utilized to study metals and alloys as well as examining crystal structures and crystallography. In addition, it also portrays an important role in the field of metallurgical engineering from doing research investigations to development of high quality materials. Some recognizable materials being studied include aluminum, steel, copper, gold, glass, and silver. Among others, there are also integrated circuits, space vehicles ceramics, materials for surgical implants, and superconductors. Advances from the use of dissecting microscopes through engineers made possible the equally important development in all engineering fields. As human is constantly searching for quality components involving evaluation of materials, testing strength, corrosion behavior, hardness, toughness, and many others, we continuously benefit the results of their studies. Engineers also use additional tools and technologies to carry out these tasks. These include high speed computers to picture out the components of the materials thus making work much easier.
To get an idea about a dissecting microscope, its features should be described. Basically, it has a tube containing a lens at the upper opening. The user can view the specimen underneath that tube. It also consists of a nosepiece, which help the user remain steady when viewing the subject. In the lower end of the microscope, the second lens can be found. It is known as the objective lens. Different range of magnification will depend on the focus that one might be needing. Condenser lenses are also available to help in the magnification of the specimen. The condenser is centered on the middle of the stage, more specifically above of it. The stage is located above the diaphragm. Here in this stage, the slide with the specimen is placed. It controls the light passing through the slide and to the specimens well. Most high quality dissecting microscopes contain adjustable stages. These stages can be easily manipulated. The light underneath the stage can be a halogen or a fluorescent. As the reflection of the light is manipulated, specimen is magnified at the desired level. Dissecting microscope employs incident light and transmitted light. Incident light is a direct illumination.
