I keep forgetting to mention that there are images on the Internet of spores oozing "goop". Here's one of them:
Notice there is also "splatty stuff" in the background. And the stuff oozing out the the spore could be called "fried egg gunk." But, if you really want to know what "fried egg gunk" looks like, check out this picture:
I discussed these pictures with the photographer, and he did NOT use any silica on the spores or the bacteria. (There's a chapter about that discussion in my book.) He didn't know what the "goop" or "fried egg gunk" was. It's just something that appeared when he took really close-up shots (i.e., when the electron beam really heated up the spores and bacteria).
Ed at www.anthraxinvestigation.com
These pictures prove absolutely nothing. The world of electron microscopy is full of artifacts - that’s why experienced electron microscopists - like Geisbert, Jahrling and the team at AFIP - get paid a lot of money. And that’s why you will never publish a paper in a scientific journal.
You haven’t got a clue what you’re talking about.
If AFIP announce they found silica then that is irrefutable.
Maybe Beecher will publish the data he’s been asked for. But I think you likely know that will never happen. I doubt if Beecher has even seen the spore pictures.
But it’s just a matter of time until someone in Detrick spills the beans.