Acquisiiton of a Variable-Vacuum Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometer

在国家科学基金会的支持下，Mark Gabel博士和Black Hills State College将购买JEOL可变真空扫描电子显微镜和能量色散X射线光谱仪。该系统可以在低真空和高真空压力下工作，提供高分辨率@3.5 nm。在高真空模式下为30KV，在低真空模式下为@5.5MN。这些选项允许在广泛的放大倍数和电压范围内获得高分辨率图像，从而可以检查在正常操作条件下可能由于低导电性或低水分问题而难以观察到的样品，或无法涂覆的借用样品。黑山州立学院目前使用的是一台已有17年历史的显微镜，其使用寿命即将结束。学院的研究人员将进行广泛的研究，显微镜X射线光谱仪系统将用于各种项目。这些项目包括：研究北美和南美洲的中新世植物化石；评估纤维增强水泥及碱-碳酸盐及碱-硅酸盐在混凝土路面上的机械行为；对晚白垩世兽脚亚目动物的牙齿形态进行比较；研究草原生态系统和林地牲畜、野生动物和昆虫的季节性食性；研究真菌Saprolegnia对Chinook鲑鱼的感染；鉴定考古遗址石器和骨器的使用磨损；鱼类大脑中味蕾的形态和味觉通路的发展；以及Phyllachora子囊孢子的检查。本科生将参与其中的许多项目，因此这些仪器将发挥重要的教育作用。

With National Science Foundation support, Dr. Mark Gabel and Black Hills State College will purchase a JEOL variable-vacuum scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-Ray Spectometer. The system can operate at both low vacuum and high vacuum pressures, providing high resolution @ 3.5 nm. at 30kV for high vacuum and @ 5.5mn at 30kV in low vacuum mode. The options permit high resolution images over a wide range of magnifications and voltages which allows examination of specimens which may be difficult to observe under normal operating conditions due to problems with low conductivity or water content or with borrowed specimens which can not be coated. Black Hills State College currently employs a 17 year old microscope which is rapidly nearing the end of its useful life. Investigators at the College will pursue a wide range of research and the microscope X-Ray Spectometer system will be used in a variety of projects. These include: examination of Miocene plant fossils from North and South America; evaluation of the mechanical behavior of fiber reinforced cement and alkali-carbonate and alkali-silica reactivity in concrete pavements; comparison of tooth morphologies from Late Cretaceous Theropods; examination of seasonal diets of livestock, wildlife and insects in prairie ecosystems and woodlands; study of infections of the fungus Saprolegnia on Chinook Salmon; identification of use wear on lithic and bone tools from archaeological sites; the development of taste bud morphology and gustatory pathways in the brains of fishes; and the examination of Ascospores of Phyllachora. Undergraduates will be involved with many of these projects and thus the instrumentation will serve an important educational function.