Examining Coatings (IMAGE) DOE/Sandia National Laboratories Caption Sandia National Laboratories researcher Guangping Xu employs a digital optical microscope to examine the unusually hard coatings his lab has produced. The aim is better, cheaper protection of instruments and drivers in danger of fast-moving debris flung by Sandia’s Z machine when it fires. The coatings offer many other possibilities as well. Credit Bret Latter, Sandia National Laboratories Usage Restrictions media License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.