Analysis Service by NON-Destructive Techniques

The Service of Analysis by Non-Destructive Techniques of the National Museum of Natural Sciences-CSIC includes a total of 8 laboratories whose objective is to provide scientific-technical assistance to public and private organizations that request it.

Currently the service is in the process of quality certification through ISO 9001. It is a multidisciplinary research support service that offers a catalog of nine analysis techniques for chemical, morphological, luminescent, molecular, thermal, structural and densitometric properties.

It belongs to the CSIC's Services catalog (Cod: 825583) and belongs to the CAM RedLab (RLAB-034)

It is located in the south building of the Museum of Natural Sciences, Geology area, José Gutiérrez Abascal street nº 2, 28006 Madrid.

The Non-Destructive Analysis Service of the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC includes a total of 8 laboratories whose objective is to provide scientific and technical assistance to public and private organizations that request it.
The service is currently undergoing quality certification through ISO 9001. It is a multidisciplinary research support service that offers a catalogue of nine analysis techniques for chemical, morphological, luminescent, molecular, thermal, structural and densitometric properties.
It belongs to the CSIC Services catalogue (Code: 825583).
It is located in the south building of the Museo de Ciencias Naturales, Geology area, calle José Gutiérrez Abascal nº 2, 28006 Madrid.
To read the Service Quality Policy, download it here:
The Non-Destructive Techniques Service (STND) is a scientific and technical research support service made up of 9 laboratories dependent on the National Museum of Natural Sciences-CSIC. It includes several analytical techniques whose premise is non-destructive chemical and morphological analysis derived from the needs of the MNCN, and its duality as a CSIC Research Centre and a Natural History Museum whose valuable scientific collections must be studied without altering their natural state. In addition, the non-destructive characteristics of the scientific equipment present in the Service are increasingly in demand by other public and private research centres. It has qualified technical personnel with the authority and resources necessary to carry out its functions.
The STND is located in the National Museum of Natural Sciences-CSIC, C/ José Gutiérrez Abascal nº2. The different laboratories that make up the Service are located in the Geology building of the Museum (south building of the MNCN).

1. STND EQUIPMENT
The STND, in compliance with the guidelines and regulations of the MNCN-CSIC, is committed to providing an efficient and quality service for the development and performance of chemical, physical and morphological tests using the services offered in the CSIC Services Catalogue. The STND is an innovative infrastructure of the CSIC, open to the scientific and industrial community, public and private, both national and international. Its three pillars are Microscopy, Tomography and Spectroscopy, encompassing 9 laboratories with the following scientific equipment:

1---Scanning Electron Microscopy Laboratory-EDS-CL:
• FEI INSPECT Scanning Electron Microscope with detectors of: secondary electrons (SE), backscattered (BSE) and cathodoluminescence (CL) that operates in Low vacuum and high vacuum
• Sample mounting area for SEM

2---Cryo Electron Microscopy Laboratory:
• APREO 2 field emission scanning electron microscope, THERMO FISHER with secondary and backscattered electron detectors, both in camera and in lens STEM, EDX, EDX Windows less, and CRYO-FEGSEM MICROSCOPY unit. Operating in Low vacuum and high vacuum
• Sample preparation for Cryo SEM
• Scientific image processing station and Correlative Microscopy using SW MAPS 3

3---Molecular Analysis Laboratory by Raman Spectroscopy:
• Confocal Raman Spectroscopy-THERMO FISHER DXR MICROSCOPE
• Linkam plate for cooling and heating samples
• Sample preparation area for Raman

4---Confocal Microscopy Laboratory:
• LEICA-TCS SPE Spectral Laser Confocal Microscope
• Scientific image processing station using SW Metamorph

5---Micro X-ray Tomography Laboratory:
• X-ray Computed Tomography- CTScan Nikon- XTH 160
• Scientific image processing station using SW VG STUDIO MAX-Porosity Module.
• Sample preparation unit for CT.

6---High resolution 3D Microscopy Laboratory:
• High resolution 3D microscope with Interferometry and Profilometry LEICA DCM8

7---Differential Thermal Analysis Laboratory:
• Thermogravimetric analysis TGA -DTA- PERKIN ELMER-STA 6000
• Sample preparation area for ATD / TGA

8---Micro X-ray Diffraction Laboratory:
• Micro X-ray diffraction - non-destructive DRX - BRUKER D5
• In-situ heating oven in micro DRX
• Sample preparation area for DRX
• Muffle

9---Sample preparation laboratory:
• Quorum Technologies CPD7501 critical point equipment for sample drying.
• Gold Sputtering-EMITECH K450X
• Graphite  - EMITECH K550X
• Binocular Magnifier (2X, 4X)
• Ultrasound

2. TYPES OF TESTS AND CALIBRATIONS:
All STND equipment is calibrated and verified periodically, and is also maintained annually by the manufacturer. The techniques used include the following services:
-Confocal Microscopy Analysis
-Self-Service Differential Thermal Analysis and Thermogravimetric Analysis
-Advice and preparation of Analytical Reports
-Field Emission Cryo-microscopy-FEGSEM
-Development of Scientific SW CT and CF
- Development of Scientific SW DRX
-Micro-Raman Spectroscopy
-Micro-Raman Spectroscopy - Self-Service
-Micro-Raman Spectroscopy-Linkam
-Metalization C
-Metalization-Gold Sputtering
-Microdiffraction DRX
-Microdiffraction DRX-OVEN
-Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)-EDS)
-SEM-STEM Microscopy
-Field Emission Microscopy-FEGSEM
-Microscopy High resolution 3D Confocal Optics - profilometry - interferometry
- High resolution 3D Confocal Optical Microscopy - Self-service
- Complete SEM sample preparation
- HMDS preparation
- Critical Point Drying
- CT-SCAN Computerized Microtomography

3. ANALYZED SAMPLES:
Geological, biological, gemological, material, archaeological, metallic, environmental, microbiological, paleontological, dental samples, ... multidisciplinary service.

4. TYPES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE TESTS AND CALIBRATIONS PERFORMED:

The STND has established the technical procedures for calibration and verification of each of the scientific equipment that compose it. It also has standardized procedures and technical protocols for each of the processes that involve carrying out the tests.
The request for any of the services offered by the STND, which are included in the CSIC Services Catalogue, will be carried out following the procedure for receiving samples and users established by the STND.
All work carried out at the STND will be carried out under order reflected in a Test Request (SE).

Prior to requesting the service, the user may request any type of information relevant to the services they wish to perform via email to the STND technical staff.

The STND offers different types of sessions:

1. In-person sessions: these require the presence of the users. The user brings the samples with them and takes them with the results at the end of the session. In the event of having to leave the samples at the STND before the session, or collect the results and/or samples after it, the user must request an appointment for this with the STND staff. The samples must be identified unequivocally in their test request to ensure their traceability.

2. Non-face-to-face sessions: the technician performs the service without the presence of the user. In this case, the user may leave the samples, with an appointment, or may send them by mail. In both cases, the STND Test Request document must be filled out beforehand. If requested, the user may be present remotely (online) during the tests.
For the delivery of samples and the collection of both samples and results, it is essential to be attended by STND staff with an appointment, and samples cannot be deposited or collected without an appointment.
The tests and the delivery of results will be carried out as stipulated with the user at the time of receipt of the samples and specified in the SE.
The user, in the event that he/she collects his/her results and/or samples in person at the Service, will leave evidence of the withdrawal of the same by recording his/her name, signature and date on the SE.

3. Self-service sessions (only for equipment that has this type of sessions): the user must fill out the Test Request before being able to access the session and, after having passed a previous course, his/her own samples will be analysed. At the end of the session, the user takes his/her samples and results with him/her before leaving.

In the case of tests that involve subsequent processing of the data obtained, preparation of a report on them, or that come from samples deposited to be carried out in non-face-to-face sessions, a date and method of delivery of results will be agreed with the user.