From The Other End of The Lens

Introduction

According to Gunter Blobel, a biologist and Nobel Prize winner, "With a basic electron microscope one is revealed the complex universe of the cell, the basic unit of life" (Blobel, n.d.). Microscopes were designed to magnify structures and small objects that could not be seen by the naked eye. Over time, scientists have made groundbreaking discoveries using different types of microscopes, which have proven to be both useful and lifesaving for humankind.

From The Other End of The Lens

When Dr. Ernst Ruska invented the electron microscope, he based it on a key principle of Busch’s theory. This theory was centered on the effects of the magnetic fields of a coil wire. The heat of the coil created an electric current that enabled electrons to pass, which were then used as an electron lens. Dr. Ernst built on this theoretical principle and used a beam instead of a coil. The beam provided a much greater intensity of heat, causing the electrons to move at greater speed to transfer the image to a computer (Ruska, 1986).

The electron microscope visualizes objects by using a thin beam, which is created by a Langston filament and heated up to 2700 degrees Celsius. This feature makes the microscope unique because it uses a beam instead of light. Due to the high heat, the electrons move around at the speed of light and are shot through an electron gun into a vacuum chamber. Once in the chamber, the beam passes through three electromagnetic lenses. These lenses help the electrons stay on the right path. Once the electrons have finished going through the electromagnetic lenses, they reach the specimen. The electrons then bounce millions of times per second onto the specimen, creating a subatomic picture of the specimen on the computer (MicroscopeMaster, n.d.).

Economic Implications

The economic implications of the electron microscope are generally negative. This is due to the very high financial costs associated with materials and the specific space and location requirements for the microscope. Most importantly, operating the microscope requires a certain skill set for its preparation. Not many people are able to build or maintain this microscope due to the cost and the amount of time taken to build the structure. Because this microscope has many requirements, it cannot be used by everyone, and thus people miss out on the benefits and advancements of science.

My first supporting example is from MicroscopeMaster.com, which states that electron microscopes are very expensive and take up a lot of space. Additionally, the location must be free of vibration and electromagnetic interference (MicroscopeMaster, n.d.). My second supporting example is from the John Innes Centre, which indicates that a specific skill set with specialized training is necessary because samples have to be specially prepared, a process that can be time-consuming and difficult (John Innes Centre, n.d.).

Ethical Implications

The ethical implication of the electron microscope is that during the process of taking pictures of the specimen and then transmitting them to the computer, layers of the electrons and cells are created. Sometimes, there could be an error or glitch in the system, which could deny scientists and researchers the correct information.

One of the supporting examples is that people may not gather the true pictures; they may miss an important part that has not been recorded. This is according to the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, n.d.).

Conclusion

In summary, while the electron microscope has revolutionized our understanding of the microscopic world and contributed significantly to scientific advancements, its economic and ethical implications present challenges that need to be addressed. Ensuring accessibility and accuracy in scientific research is crucial for the continued progress of technology and medicine.

References

• Blobel, G. (n.d.). Quotation about electron microscopes.
• John Innes Centre. (n.d.). Skills required for operating electron microscopes. Retrieved from [John Innes Centre website]
• MicroscopeMaster. (n.d.). Electron microscopes and their applications. Retrieved from [MicroscopeMaster website]
• National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (n.d.). Implications of electron microscopy. Retrieved from [National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine website]
• Ruska, E. (1986). The development of the electron microscope and of electron microscopy. Nobel Lecture.