Course on microscopy

Special Applications course in the microscopical identification of
    conservation materials
The College of Microscopy
Westmont, IL
June 9-13, 2008

Cost:  $1250.00

The College of Microscopy is pleased to offer a Special Applications
course in the microscopical identification of conservation
materials. This course will introduce the student to methods of
conservation material identification using materials across all
conservation specialties including pigments, paper, fibers, object
materials, architectural materials, and inks.

The course will concentrate on using polarized light microscopy
(PLM) for identification (though a more thorough treatment of PLM
theory and principles is covered in the Polarized-Light Microscopy
course) but also introduces students to other analytical methods
used as confirmatory methods; these include microchemical methods,
elemental characterization using XRF or SEM/EDS, Raman, and infrared
spectroscopy. The students examine and sample artifacts, prepare
specimens for analysis, perform PLM analysis, and direct or perform
further confirmatory analyses. Methods for characterization of
organic materials are also discussed.

Course Outline:

    1.  Basic principles of stereomicroscopy including coaxial,
        oblique, and ring light illumination techniques used for
        inspection and recording of paint samples. Students will use
        the Olympus SZX10 stereomicroscope

    2.  Examining and sampling conservation materials, specimen
        preparation for PLM, and other analytical techniques

    3.  Mechanical and optical microscope alignment for optimal
        illumination considerations and a micrometry exercise.
        Students will use the Olympus BX51 polarized-light
        microscope

    4.  Determination of particle morphology, color absorption, and
        other characteristics

    5.  The principles of plane-polarized light with hands-on
        exercises on how to perform refractive index measurements,
        observations of color, and pleochroism

    6   The principles of crossed-polarized light with hands-on
        exercises determining isotropic vs. anisotropic,
        birefringence using the Michel-Levy Interference Color
        Chart, and qualitative extinction positions of particles

    7.  Survey of conservation materials including pigments, paper,
        fibers, object materials, architectural materials, and inks

    8.  Confirmatory methods: microchemical tests, EDS, SEM, FTIR,
        and Raman

The College of Microscopy is approved as an Authorized Provider of
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by the International Association
for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).  Upon successfully
completing these requirements, a student will be awarded a
certificate of completion and 3.5 CEU credits transferable to any
higher learning institution that accepts IACET credits.

The College also offers a number of other courses of interest to the
conservation professional including:

    Scanning Electron Microscopy
    March 31 - April 4, 2008 and Oct 6-10, 2008

    Polarized Light and Chemical Microscopy
    April 28 - May 2, 2008 and June 16-20, 2008

    Infrared Microscopy
    April 29 - May 1, 2008 and Nov 4-6, 2008

    Sample Preparation: Polymers, Paints, and Coatings
    May 7-8, 2008

    Introduction to the Microscopical Identification of Art
    Conservation Materials
    June 9-13, 2008

    Microscopical Identification of Pigments for Art Conservation
    and Architectural Restoration Professionals
    Sept 15-20, 2008

    Microscopic Particle Handling: Particle Isolation, Manipulation,
    and Mounting
    Oct 6-10, 2008

    Raman Microspectroscopy
    Oct 7-9, 2008

    Fundamentals of Microscopy for Document Examiners: Basic Theory
    and Practical Applications
    Nov 6-7, 2008

All courses are taught at the College of Microscopy campus and award
CEUs. For additional information or offline registration for courses
offered by the College of Microscopy, please contact:

    Lois Gelwicks
    Registrar
    College of Microscopy
    850 Pasquinelli Drive
    Westmont, IL 60559-5539
    630-887-7100
    Fax: 630-887-7412
    lgelwicks<-a t->collegeofmicroscopy< . >com>
    <URL:http://www.collegeofmicroscopy.com/>

Joseph R. Swider, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist
McCrone Associates, Inc.
850 Pasquinelli Dr.
Westmont, IL 60559-5539
630-887-7100
Fax: 630-887-7417


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 21:41
                 Distributed: Monday, February 4, 2008
                       Message Id: cdl-21-41-011
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