1. Experiments for Silica Characterization Rachel Feltner

2. Structure  Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)  Electron interactions with atoms in sample  Uses: topography, composition, electron, conductivity, and more  X-ray Diffraction (XRD)  Measure how x-ray scatters due to target  Uses: structural analysis  BET Theory  Relates adsorption of gas to surface area  Uses: measure surface area

3. Cellular Response  Self-Referencing  Technique using concentration sensors  Accurately measure flux of metabolic analytes  Uses: quantify cell response to mineralization  Confocal Microscopy  Improved microscopy that eliminates “background noise”  Uses: has been combined with live/dead assay  Flow Cytometry  Measures fluorescents and scattering effects of particles  Uses: DNA and RNA content, cell viability, apoptosis, cell adherence, ect.

4. Composition  Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX, EDS)  Measures x-rays released from the filling of electron holes  Uses: determine the constituent atoms of sample  Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)  Measures infrared absorption, emission, Raman scattering, ect.  Uses: determine what bonds are present in sample

5. Other Techniques  Particle Sizing  Multisizer 4 Coulter Counter used in Dave’s paper  Uses: determine how much biofilm breaks off in flow  Fluorescent Micrographs  Fluorescent dye added to gel  Uses: determine if premade gel has made a coat on cells