The researchers used an ion beam to slice off thin sections from the samples, and they used electron microscopy techniques to image the samples and perform elemental analyses. (sciencedaily.com)
The transition from bone to coating is not immediately apparent without elemental analysis. (journals.plos.org)
Another instrument in the core is the Agilent 7900 ICP MS, which is primarily used for elemental analysis of samples. (mdanderson.ilabsolutions.com)