The document discusses automating tasks using scripting with a desktop scanning electron microscope (SEM). It provides an example of automating quality control tasks for electrospinning nanofibers by gathering images automatically and analyzing fiber thickness, orientation, and area covered. Scripting with the Phenom Programmable Interface allows acquiring images, performing autofocus, and running analyses without an operator. Automation improves productivity, accessibility of the SEM, and confidence in results by producing more consistent, round-the-clock data without human errors. Consultancy services are available for those without programming experience.

1. Power of Scripting with a Desktop
SEM
Ruud Bernsen, BSc
Application Specialist
Thermo Fisher Scientific

2. An application expert presents an
overview of automation via scripting
with a desktop SEM.
Power of Scripting with a
Desktop SEM

3. Automation driving excellence
Not automation for automations sake….. automation driving better science
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PRODUCTIVITY
ACCESSIBILITY
CONFIDENCE
• Throughput, more samples per day
• More data, statistical relevance, representative data
• Efficiency, 24/7 availability
• Designed to be always running
• Speed to train users, complex tasks made routine
• Tools that are always optimised and ready to go
• Complicated experiments made easy with recipes
• Any place any time, remote access, full control
• Less manual tool intervention
• Accuracy, the right answer
• Precision, reproducibility for process control
• Consistency, reproducible results every time
• Dependable user independent results
• Remove human factor errors
• Calibration for accuracy
More Data
A Better Way
Reliable
Answers
BETTER
SCIENCE

4. From manual to fully automated
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Automated data
acquisition

5. Thought experiment
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Note: this is just an example, instead of fibers it can be anything you place under the microscope!
Characteristics to be measured:
• Thickness
• Orientation
• Area covered by fibers
Quality control of electrospinning nanofibers

6. Thought experiment
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Number of sample 20
Images per sample 50
Time to acquire 1 image 20 seconds
Total time required 5.5 hours
Data acquisition to be performed:
• This is done every day
• Time to analyze images not included
• Not very challenging work
Let’s automate this!

7. How do we do this?
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The Phenom user interface:
• 24 inch full screen
image
• Easy to operate

8. How do we do this?
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The Phenom user interface:
phenom.Unload()
phenom.SemAcquireimage
phenom.SemAutoFocus()

9. The Phenom Programmable Interface (PPI)
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What is PPI?
Phenom Workstation
User PC
PPI
• PPI is the library with available
functions to control the Phenom

10. • Scripts can be written in the following languages:
• Python
• C#
• A simple example: Gather 100 images at random locations:
Combining those functions gets you a script
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11. Next steps: UI
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1. Create a UI (example)
• Can be single button UI
• Can contain images
This can be created with scripting:

12. Next steps: image analyses
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1. Create a UI
• Can be single button UI
• Can contain full SEM controls
• View images
2. Perform image analyses & evaluate
• Online libraries available
• Compare measured values to set specifications
This can be created with scripting:

13. Next steps: reporting
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1. Create a UI
• Can be single button UI ➔ START!
• Can contain full SEM controls
• View images
2. Perform image analyses & evaluate
• Online libraries available
• Compare measured values to set specifications
3. Report
• Create reports tailored to your needs
• OK / NOT OK reporting
• PDF / CSV
This can be created with scripting:
Batch # diameter
average (nm)
Area covered
average (µm2)
OK /NOK
0001 140 10.7 OK
0002 136 10.1 OK
0003 202 15.9 NOK
0004 141 10.8 OK
0005 80 8.2 NOK

14. Sample
prep &
Loading
Image
acquisition
Image
analysis
Evaluation Reporting Conclusion
Going back to our thought experiment
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With PPI we are then able to automate the following steps of our experiment:
Automated
Script benefits:
• Save operator time
• Standard way of working and reporting
• Fully customizable to your process
• Scripting enables easy operation

15. • You don’t have any scripting / programming experience
• You do not have any image analyses knowledge?
• You are already swamped with work and don’t have any time
But what if…?
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I lost you at the words programmable interface and…

16. • You don’t have any scripting / programming experience
• You do not have any image analyses knowledge?
• You are already swamped with work and don’t have any time
But what if…?
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Don’t worry we got you covered!
We offer:
• Scripting as a service
• Tailor made solutions which fit your needs perfectly
• Consultancy
I lost you at the words programmable interface and…

17. The Phenom XL is the platform for automation
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• 100 x 100 mm stage
• Up to 36 pin stubs
• Insert custom holders
• CeB6 source
• >1500 hours
• Does not break, ideal for long runs
Phenom XL specification:

18. Automation, not just a black box
Automation that does not compromise understanding or education
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Image acquisition Scripting example Full control Acquire all the
data you need

19. ACCESSIBILITY
PRODUCTIVITY
Conclusions
How our automation solutions are supporting our users.....
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CONFIDENCE
19
CONFIDENCE
• Let your SEM do the work not the operator
• 24 / 7 operation
• Phenom systems offer long life-time sources and fast stages
• Automated SEM work can be run by any operator with minimal
training
• Gather large amounts of data
• One way of working
• The Phenom systems are a stable and reliable system for
automation

20. Thank you for participating!
CLICK HERE to learn more and
watch the webinar
Ruud Bernsen, BSc
Application Specialist
Thermo Fisher Scientific