Micro analysis, the chemical analysis of microscopically small amounts of material or features, is a key tool in providing fast accurate answers to MAI clients. These analyses are performed by Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), a technique which utilizes energy from an electron beam generated in a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to identify the elements and their relative percentages in an unknown sample material. By exploiting the very high magnification capability of the SEM, EDS is capable of analyzing features as small as one fifty millionths of an inch in diameter. Larger areas up to one square centimeter in size can also be analyzed.

Recently, MAI expanded and upgraded their EDS capability with the purchase of two EDAX DX4 EDS Analyzers. These instruments, along with the second SEM Laboratory launched in 2005, provide MAI clients with immediate access to critical contaminant and failure analysis services. MAI is the only independent materials testing and engineering facility in the Midwest United States with two full capability SEM/EDS Laboratories.