Flow Imaging Microscopy Blog

December 2018 — A recent study by researchers from the University of New England and University of New Hampshire has demonstrated that flow imaging microscopy is an accurate, more efficient, and more informative method of elastin-like polymer (ELP) coacervate analysis than standard methods. ELP coacervates are a class of molecules with promising applications in drug delivery vehicles, tissue engineering, environmental remediation, and more. ELP coacervate architecture is stimuli-responsive and highly tunable, making them ideal for the above-mentioned applications.  

December 2018 — Microplastics are an ubiquitous concern for the world's oceans. Increasing demand for consumer plastics has resulted in an estimated 4.8 to 15.11 million metric tons of plastics entering the oceans every year^1,2. These macroplastics degrade into microplastics, or plastic fragments <5 mm in diameter, which can range in morphology from rigid pieces to amorphous fibers. 

November 2018 — Michelle Richards has joined Fluid Imaging Technologies as the Buyer in supporting production and is excited to be a part of the Fluid Imaging!

Researchers from the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, and Am-Lab Inc. developed a methodology to use the FlowCam^® for analysis of sediment-inhabiting meiobenthos.  

Meiobenthos are small, benthic invertebrates often used as indicators of anthropogenic influence and other natural disturbances. They play a primary role in sediment nutrient cycling and stability in benthic ecosystems. 

November 6, 2018, Brunswick, Maine—

At the close of Election Day, Dr. Deborah Bronk presented on the effects of climate change on the Gulf of Maine at Frontier Cafe and Restaurant in Brunswick, Maine.

Dr. Bronk, a PhD from the University of Maryland, most recently held tenure as a Professor at the College of William and Mary where she conducted research on how phytoplankton and other aquatic microbes process nitrogen. In February 2018, she became the President and CEO of Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. 

The AWWA Water Quality Technology Conference 2018 is about to kick-off in Toronto, Ontario. AWWA WQTC18 is the leading North American conference for water quality professionals to gather and discuss the latest research, technology and innovations serving water quality professionals. If you're attending, there are a few opportunities to have a hands-on experience with the FlowCam flow imaging microscope.

October 2018 — Environmental Engineering Research published a paper presenting a new method for cell counting Microcystis colonies using the FlowCam.  Researchers from Korea Water Resources Corporation, University of Central Florida, and Kyungbook National University developed a three-dimensional image processing method using an algorithm to count colonial Microcystis cells.    

Scientists at the University of Alberta, Alberta Health, and University of Calgary compared the efficacy of using the FlowCam to traditional light microscopy for rapid cyanobacteria quantification and high resolution taxonomic data. Traditional light microscopy, while it provides the highest level of detail and is the ideal method for taxonomic identification, is time-consuming. The rate of quantifying and reporting cyanobacterial abundance must match the rate of cyanobacterial production in order to assess the present risk to human and ecological health. 

Anabaena, a common culprit of cyanobacterial blooms, as imaged by the FlowCam at 10X. 

OCTOBER 2018 — Fluid Imaging Technologies has hired Stephen Barton as their new Technical Customer Support Associate. Stephen has recently returned to Maine after three years in New Hampshire working at Dartmouth College in a genetics laboratory. The primary areas of study involved Autism spectrum disorder and memory malfunction. Prior to Dartmouth, Stephen worked at the University of New England with a research focus in ocular pain and medication overuse headache. Stephen is very excited to be back in Maine and in his free time enjoys board games, good books, and exploring new places. 

In September 2018, Fluid Imaging Technologies hired Katie Clegg as the new Director of Inside Sales and Customer Care. Katie comes to Fluid Imaging from the Veterinary Technology Industry with an extensive background in sales and customer care experience.  Her focus is providing customers with a sales and customer care experience that’s seamless and easy.