The instrument is a modern low-vacuum Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX). This instrument functions as a fundamental component of the modern microanalysis of biological (e.g. skeletal structures and otoliths) and geological (e.g. rocks and minerals) material as well as other structural materials. Visit MLML’s “Microcosms” page to see a collection of our SEM images. Borne as the work of the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) class offered at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, “Microcosms” represents a collection of images taken and curated by students past and present. As evidenced by the breadth of coverage, SEM technology is applicable across disciplines and allows for analysis of samples at a truly micro level.