Atomization, metallic pigment production

Microscopists in every technical field use the microscope to characterize, compare, and identify a wide variety of substances, eg, protozoa, bacteria, vimses, and plant and animal tissue, as well as minerals, building materials, ceramics, metals, abrasives, pigments, foods, dmgs, explosives, fibers, hairs, and even single atoms. In addition, microscopists help to solve production and process problems, control quaUty, and handle trouble-shooting problems and customer complaints. Microscopists also do basic research in instmmentation, new techniques, specimen preparation, and appHcations of microscopy. The areas of appHcation include forensic trace evidence, contamination analysis, art conservation and authentication, and asbestos control, among others. 

Iron is one of the major essential elements and one of the most important commercial metals. The total number of products made from iron is greater than that of all other metals combined. Iron is the basis for various steels and is used in pigments, fuel additives, catalysts, magnetic tapes, and animal feeds. As an essential element, iron is the central atom in the hemo of hemoglobin. Medicinally, it is administered to anemic patients and to many premenopausal women. 

Metal oxides are used as pigments, electrolytes, and coatings. Oxides are also intimately involved in the processes of corrosion, catalysis, energy production, and pollution control. There is therefore considerable incentive to understand oxide properties so that rational materials selection and process optimization may be undertaken. Attainment of these twin objectives increasingly entails realistic force field based atomic modeling. Applications of such methods to oxide systems are briefly reviewed. 

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