If staining for visible light microscopy, our lab has had success with Sudan
Black B in 70% ethanol, as well as some of the standards like "Epoxy Tissue
Stain" from EMS.  For fluorescence we've had great success with 0.1% aqueous
Neutral Red (we'll have a poster at MSA in Philadelphia with some of these
pictures).

 I wonder in what context the authors were declaring that little was to be
gained by staining polymers?  For light microscopy staining helps us enormously
in locating our adhesives and observing their performance.  Mostly we're
staining adhesives and backings of tapes or dressings, and I should mention that
I'm a biologist just examining polymers now and then.  You will probably get
better replies from others more experienced with materials.  But in my
experience with TEM, the use of ruthenium tetroxide had two benefits:  to help
stabilize adhesives and other "delicate" polymers for later sectioning, and to
act as a stain.  Osmium also did this to a lesser or different extent depending
on the specific components of the polymer.  Both have been useful for me even
when I'm just doing bright field light microscopy on sectioned samples.

Hope this helps,
Karen Zaruba
3M Company, BioMaterials Technology Center
St. Paul, MN
[log in to unmask]






Barbara Foster <[log in to unmask]> on 05/02/2000 04:57:56 PM

Please respond to Confocal Microscopy List <[log in to unmask]>


To:   [log in to unmask]
cc:    (bcc: Karen S. Zaruba/US-Corporate/3M/US)
Subject:  LM: Stains for polymers?



Hi,

I have been reading a great deal on polymer microscopy lately and came
across the statement that there was very little information to be gained by
staining polymers and (as might be expected) that they did not take up
stain well.  Many years ago, I had heard of an application in which osmium
tetroxide was used, I believe on polyethylene.   Can anyone shed any light,
either on the general comment or on the application using osmium tetroxide?

Many thanks,
Barbara Foster,President
Microscopy/Microscopy Education
125 Paridon Street Suite 102
Springfield, MA 01118-2130
PH: 413-746-6931  FX: 413-746-9311 email: [log in to unmask]
Website: www.MME-Microscopy.com/education

America's first national consortium of microscopy specialists offering
customized on-site training in all areas of microscopy, image analysis, and
sample preparation
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^