Applications of environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) in biomaterials field.

Various tasks were undertaken in our laboratory where environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) has been of particular interest within the biomaterials field. The possibility of observing wet samples, as well as the fact that sample preparation is minimal, has improved shorter time scales and lower costs in microscopy. Minimal preparation has also reduced the possibility of introducing artifacts. Examples like cell cultures used for pit resorption assays, calcium phosphate deposition processes, and dissolution of phosphate glasses used as biomaterials are presented. Finally, a servohydraulic testing machine designed for mechanical testing in situ in ESEM has allowed the study of shape memory alloys for orthodontic applications or the behavior of different adhesives used in odontology. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.