--- title: New research using iCLEM to measure organic matter in geological samples description: A recent paper published in the Journal of Microscopy demonstrates a novel application for iCLEM in imaging sedimentary organic matter. image: https://blog.delmic.com/hubfs/Website_pictures/News/iclem-shale.jpg --- ###### [correlative light and electron microscopy](https://blog.delmic.com/news/topic/correlative-light-and-electron-microscopy), [paper review](https://blog.delmic.com/news/topic/paper-review) • 1 # New research using iCLEM to measure organic matter in geological samples [Kaitlin van Baarle July 6, 2017](https://blog.delmic.com/news/author/kaitlin-van-baarle) ![iclem-shale.jpg](https://blog.delmic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website_pictures/News/iclem-shale.jpg?width=1080&name=iclem-shale.jpg) To date, the most common applications for the SECOM integrated correlative light-electron microscopy system are in cellular biology and medical research. To date, the most common applications for the SECOM integrated correlative light-electron microscopy system are in cellular biology and medical research. However, a recent paper published in the Journal of Microscopy demonstrates a novel application for iCLEM in imaging sedimentary organic matter. This research was conducted using the [SECOM](https://www.delmic.com/secom) system to obtain conclusive data on different organic matter types on shale. Organic matter types could be identified based on their fluorescence response, while the scanning electron microscope collected high-resolution data on their structure. Correlative approaches have been used in similar studies in the past, except these were conducted on separate instruments. This brought with it additional challenges such as the need for reorientation on the sample and potential damage to the sample in between measurements. The setup of the iCLEM system is such that top-down electron microscopy was performed using both backscatter and secondary electron detectors, while bottom-up fluorescence imaging is performed simultaneously with the sample located in the middle of the two microscopes. For one of the samples, this same system was used to detect cathodoluminescence emission. This revealed information about diagenetic interactions and porosity evolution, which would not be possible using data from a single instrument. This research attests to the versality of the SECOM system, being able to perform a range of measurements for a growing number of applications. The open-source article can be read [here](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jmi.12576/epdf). #### Kaitlin van Baarle [![](https://blog.delmic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/News/Time-resolved%20paper.png?width=380&name=Time-resolved%20paper.png) ](https://blog.delmic.com/news/investigating-semiconductor-nanowires-with-time-resolved-cathodoluminescence) [###### cathodoluminescence ## Investigating semiconductor nanowires with time-resolved cathodoluminescence A paper using time-resolved cathodoluminescence spectroscopy was published last month in Nano Express by the group of scientists from Technical University of ... ](https://blog.delmic.com/news/investigating-semiconductor-nanowires-with-time-resolved-cathodoluminescence) [![](https://blog.delmic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/News/TU%20Delft%20paper.png?width=380&name=TU%20Delft%20paper.png) ](https://blog.delmic.com/news/new-paper-structured-illumination-microscopy-with-noise-controlled-image-reconstructions) [###### cathodoluminescence ## New paper: Structured illumination microscopy with noise-controlled image reconstructions A new paper called ‘Structured illumination microscopy with noise-controlled image reconstructions’ was recently published in Nature Methods by the researchers ... ](https://blog.delmic.com/news/new-paper-structured-illumination-microscopy-with-noise-controlled-image-reconstructions) [![](https://blog.delmic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/News/AMOLF%20paper.png?width=380&name=AMOLF%20paper.png) ](https://blog.delmic.com/news/studying-spontaneous-and-stimulated-electron-photon-interactions-insights-from-amolf) [###### cathodoluminescence ## Studying spontaneous and stimulated electron-photon interactions: insights from AMOLF Recently a new paper entitled ‘Spontaneous and stimulated electron-photon interactions in nanoscale plasmonic near fields’ was published in Light: Science & ... ](https://blog.delmic.com/news/studying-spontaneous-and-stimulated-electron-photon-interactions-insights-from-amolf)