Acquisition of a Low-Vacuum Scanning Electron Microscope for Biological, Physical, Chemical, and Engineering Research and Training

该项目涉及购买、安装和使用具有低温和X射线显微分析能力的低真空、高分辨率扫描电子显微镜(SEM)。目前，堪萨斯州立大学校园里有30多名科学家和相当数量的学生和博士后研究员使用扫描电子显微镜进行生物、物理、化学和工程标本的研究。目前可用的SEM都不是最先进的，其中有几个已经过时，很难使用和维护，而且图像质量相对较差。新的扫描电子显微镜将重振这些研究计划，为他们提供现代成像能力，以及在低真空、低温条件下进行成像和X射线显微分析的能力。该显微镜将用于广泛领域的研究，包括昆虫遗传调控机制；蛾和蝴蝶产卵的感官受体和线索；岩土/地质环境工程；软体动物生物矿化；挤压食品分析；水凝胶的合成、特性和应用；昆虫血细胞的功能；突变拟南芥花器官的表型；以及植物防御反应和调节分泌。

9977715Abstract This project involves the acquisition, installation and use of a low vacuum, high resolution scanning electron microscope (SEM) with cryostage and x-ray microanalysis capabilities. There are currently over 30 scientists and a significant number of students and post-doctoral fellows on the campus of Kansas State University using SEMs for research in biological, physical, chemical and engineering specimens. None of the SEMs currently available is state-of-the-art and several of them are outdated, very difficult to use and maintain and provide relatively poor image quality. The new SEM will revitalize these research programs providing them with modern imaging capabilities and the ability to image in low vacuum, cryo-conditions and with x-ray microanalysis. This microscope will be used for research in a broad range of areas including insect genetic regulatory mechanisms; sensory receptors and cues for oviposition by moths and butterflies; geotechnical/geoenvironmental engineering; molluscan biomineralization; analysis of extruded food products; synthesis, properties and applications of hydrogels; function of insect blood cells; phenotypes of mutant Arabidopsis floral organs; and plant defense response and regulated secretions.