Use of a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with an Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Analysis System in Earth Science and Biology

在本提案中，我们通过寻求使用研究级扫描电子显微镜（SEM）与能量色散X射线（EDX）分析系统和相关样品制备设备来满足对现代化主要仪器的需求。SEM将用于显着改善地球科学和生物学课程的实验室教学，并扩大学生研究的机会。地球科学和生物学的另一个共同目标是让入门学生接触一种复杂的技术，使他们能够以入门课程中不常见的规模研究地质和生物材料。预计这将吸引他们的兴趣，并帮助激发他们对科学的兴趣。SEM的高放大倍数，出色的分辨率和EDX功能将使我们能够将基于研究的调查纳入广泛的高级课程。在地球科学中，学生将能够处理细粒度地质样品（矿物学，岩石学，沉积地层学和土壤）的矿物学和纹理，并表征微化石和颗粒（古生物学和地球化学）的形态和表面。EDX系统将允许对矿物进行原位化学分析（矿物学和岩石学）。通过研究这些小尺度特征的能力，学生将更好地理解地质材料的纹理和成分特征，并在解释重要的地质过程时提高他们解决问题的能力。在生物学中，学生将能够在植物解剖学和生理学课程的细胞水平上研究植物组织形态学，这将在生物体和亚细胞水平的研究中具有重要的应用。这在两个相当不同的生物学工作水平之间提供了一个重要的桥梁。在地球科学和生物学中，SEM的使用将通过允许学生亲自调查来提高他们对重要概念的理解。同样重要的是，学生们会对参与重要的独立研究感到更兴奋（并做好更好的准备）。

In this proposal, we address a need for modern, major instrumentation by seeking a used research grade scanning electron microscope (SEM) with an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis system and related sample preparation equipment. The SEM will be used to significantly improve laboratory instruction in the Earth Science and Biology programs, and to expand opportunities for student research. Another common goal in Earth Science and Biology is to expose introductory students to a sophisticated technique that will allow them to investigate geological and biological materials at a scale not commonly available in introductory courses. This is expected to capture their interest, and help excite them about the sciences. The high magnification, excellent resolution, and EDX capabilities of the SEM will allow us to incorporate research-based investigations into a wide range of upper-level courses. In Earth Science, students will be able to deal with the mineralogy and textures of fine-grained geological samples (mineralogy, petrology, sedimentation-stratigraphy, and soils), and characterize the morphology and surfaces of microfossils and grains (paleontology and geochemistry). The EDX system will allow in-situ chemical analysis of minerals (mineralogy and petrology). With the ability to study these small-scale features, students will better understand textural and compositional characteristics of geological materials, and improve their problem solving skills as they interpret important geologic processes. In Biology, students will be able to study plant tissue morphology at the cellular level in plant anatomy and physiology courses, which will have important applications as part of studies at both the organismal and sub-cellular levels. This provides an important bridge between two rather different levels of biological work. In Earth Science and Biology, use of the SEM will improve students' understanding of important concepts by allowing them to investigate them first-hand. Of equal importance, stud ents will be more excited about (and better prepared for) becoming involved in significant independent research.