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博士和黑山州立学院将购买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3.5 nm的高分辨率。在30 kV下为高真空，在5.5mn下为30 kV下为低真空。这些选项允许在广泛的放大倍率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由于低电导率或含水量或无法涂覆的借来样品而难以观察的样品。黑山州立大学目前使用的显微镜已有17年的历史，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。其中包括：对来自北美和南美的中新世植物化石的检验;对混凝土路面中纤维增强水泥和碱-碳酸盐以及碱-硅反应性的机械行为的评估;对晚白垩世兽脚类动物牙齿形态的比较;对草原生态系统和林地中牲畜、野生动物和昆虫的季节性饮食的检验;对真菌水霉对奇努克鲑鱼的感染的研究;考古遗址中石器和骨制工具磨损的鉴定;鱼类大脑中味蕾形态和味觉通路的发育;以及黑痣菌属子囊孢子的检验。本科生将参与许多这些项目，因此仪器将发挥重要的教育功能。

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.