Within the Geology Department of the National University of San Luis (UNSL) there is a space dedicated to specifying the finest "eye" when characterizing, classifying and analyzing rocks or minerals.Dr. María Belén Roquet reviews the history, current affairs and issues surrounding the Microscopy Laboratory.The Laboratory initially functioned as a Microscopy Room during the 1990s, and was located in the Chacabuco and Pedernera building, as part of the Mineralogy Laboratory.In the 2000s, it was first moved to the Aula Magna of the same building, and then it was consolidated as a Microscopy Laboratory in 2003, when the definitive move was made to Block II of the UNSL, where it was granted a space that met the conditions of care that you need a tool as delicate as the microscope."We usually work with what we call thin sections, which are very fine and delicate materials, and require a very careful environment," explains Roquet, who also adds that "even the height of the tables and chairs have been adapted to generate a experience conducive to microscopic work ”.Currently, both Dr. Roquet and Dr. Ariel Ortíz Suárez are the main managers of the space.A fundamental part of the Laboratory consists of teaching for the students of the Degree in Geological Sciences, where they learn to analyze thin sections of minerals, sediments or even fossils.During the pandemic, these activities were suspended, and all the knowledge that students had to acquire in a period of six (6) months had to be cut to only 30 days at the beginning of the current year."In fact, the investigations were also put aside a bit, because many of us had to devote ourselves to instruct ourselves in virtual teaching, which was a great challenge," says the doctor in Geology.In addition, many graduate theses suffered delays due to the impossibility of resorting to the laboratory's microscopes.One of the central activities carried out from Geology is the analysis and characterization of mineral phases of a given rock, which is often done by observing the thin sections, a reason that reveals the importance of microscopes.Regarding research projects, there are approximately seven (7) in which the Laboratory is involved, some work with mineralogy (more direct relationship with microscopes) and the others are divided between paleontology and sedimentology.In addition, from other areas such as biology or archeology they occasionally access the space when they need it.The Laboratory also dedicates part of its time to perform services to the community, when requested.A particular case that was worked on was with Cementos Avellaneda, "what was done was working with the fine material that came out of their furnaces, and in these analyzes we determined whether there were contaminants, the composition of the minerals, among others," Roquet recalls.Finally, it is important to note that the Microscopy Laboratory is in constant search of acquiring more and better equipment, not only through the purchase of new and more complex microscopes, but also through the revaluation of the material at hand."We recently had access to LED lights that were used to reactivate microscopes that were in disuse because their halogen lamps went into decline, we were able to take a disposable material and put it back into operation", emphasizes Roquet.In this way, the doctor considers that "although we are not the strongest economically, the Laboratory is well positioned at the country level."Note product of pre-professional practice activities of a student of the Bachelor's degree in Institutional Press Journalism at the National University of San Luis (UNSL).Student: Tomás Álvarez.Supervisor: journalist Fabiola Aranda.Photos: Ramiro Ribas (UNSL Press).Get to know the Laboratory from our social networks.The complete photo album will be published there.Instagram: UNSLactiva Facebook: NoticiasUNSLAddress: Army of Los Andes 950, San Luis, ArgentinaLocation: 2nd Floor Rectorate Building - Wing AHow to get?See location on Google MapsEmail: prensa@unsl.edu.arDesign and development by the Institutional Communication Secretariat - Version 1.3.0 - Contact: sci@unsl.edu.ar