MEE provided a virtual 90 minute laboratory course on materials characterization and fracture analysis for students in the Materials Science and Engineering program at the University of St Thomas.  For the past six years, we have hosted the students in our lab for this coursework but current recommendations for physical distancing  required us to created an interactive classroom experience using a videoconferencing service and screen sharing technology.

In the images below, you can see staff engineer Neal Hanke  using a USB digital microscope camera to share visual examinations of fracture features and corrosion morphology on a variety of samples.  Hanke also used live online screen sharing of SEM and EDS imaging to instruct students in the use of these imaging tools and techniques in identifying and characterizing materials. Although we miss the experience of having the students in our laboratory we are pleased that we could facilitate live, remote instruction and analyses.

Virtual lab examination of fracture samples with Neal Hanke in MEE SEM Lab

Materials Science students participating in online classroom. With Neal Hanke P.E. and St Thomas Engineering Professor, Genevieve Gagnon, PhD.

Peer review is a trusted process for maintaining the high standards of a scientific profession. The professional engineers at MEE are dedicated to the advancement of scientific knowledge in their field by their active involvement in the peer review process of technical publications.

Ryan Haase is an associate editor for the Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention (JFAP) and Larry Hanke is on the editorial board of the Metallography, Microstructure and Analysis Journal. Larry, Ryan, Dan Grice and Neal Hanke have all been peer reviewers for these journals.

Larry, Ryan and Dan are also writing content for the ASM Handbooks on Failure Analysis and Fractography with Neal assisting in peer reviews.

MEE fully supports and appreciates the time the staff puts in to writing and reviewing technical articles. Their work benefits the materials engineering profession as well as their own professional knowledge of the latest scientific research.

MEE is committed to providing our clients with the required microscopy resources during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The MEE staff knows microscopy, but sometimes a client’s knowledge about the sample and examination objectives is required to conduct an efficient microscopy session. Traditionally, our clients have come into the laboratory to communicate face-to-face with the microscopist, such as during a scanning electron microscopy session. Since social distancing is currently being practiced, MEE is conducting client-guided microscopy sessions via an online video conference platform with audio communication between the operator and the client. #laboratory #microscopy #electronmicroscopy #platform #materialscience With online sharing of the live image from the microscope, clients and microscope operators are able to work together without the risk associated with face-to-face interactions. Clients can communicate directions to the microscope operator either verbally or with the use of screen annotation tools. During each session, the images collected will be simultaneously synced to a secure online location. Clients will have immediate access to the high quality microscope images. Please contact us if you would like to schedule a microscope teleconference.

Remote Directed SEM Session

The Covoid-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented disruption to everyone’s sense of normal.Throughout the past few weeks, we have been continuously monitoring the news and CDC recommendations for protecting the health and safety of our staff and any visitors to the facility.We remain open at this time with strict cleaning and safety measures implemented at our facility following CDC and MN Department of Health guidelines. Engineers have been working from home when possible, and laboratory staff are on staggered shifts to maintain social distancing while in the facility. Our commitment to providing the highest quality professional services to our clients has not changed. We are available to assist you with your product issues and concerns. If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact us.