Acquisition of a High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscope for Forensics and Surface Technology

CTS-0079481 Otto J.Gregory罗德岛大学磁共振成像：获取用于法医学和表面技术的高分辨率扫描电子显微镜摘要将获得用于法医学和表面科学的高分辨率扫描电子显微镜。该仪器的能力包括低原子序数微量分析(低原子序数4)，以及在低真空(10-3Torr)环境中表征压力和水分敏感物种的微观结构和形态的能力。后一种特性非常重要，因为它允许分析“湿”样品，如低蒸汽压的液体、聚合物、水泥、有机膜、溶剂化表面和生物样品。除了这些功能外，该显微镜还配备了自动可编程样品台和用于残留枪击残留物分析的适当软件，并且它有一个超大的腔室，允许在没有操作员干预的情况下进行多个样品分析。最先进的电子显微镜，其扩展的能力将对该大学的研究和教学质量产生重大影响。特别是，这些设备将为法医伙伴关系和设在校园的国家犯罪实验室的大学研究人员提供机会，开发有关纺织品分类、土壤和海洋标本鉴定以及生物残留物追踪的新课程。它将在法医学领域提供新的研究机会，如残留枪击残留物分析和血迹分析。传感器和表面技术合作伙伴关系中的大学调查人员也将从收购中受益。他们致力于开发用于高灵敏度传感器应用的特种薄膜材料，范围从光学应变计到GMR高密度硬盘读取器。几乎所有这些材料的开发都依赖于快速准确地分析这些器件所涉及的薄膜材料的化学成分、形貌和结构的能力，这些薄膜材料经常延伸到纳米技术领域。

CTS-0079481Otto J. GregoryUniversity of Rhode IslandMRI: Acquisition of a High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscope for Forensics and Surface TechnologyAbstractA high-resolution scanning electron microscope for forensic and surface sciences will be acquired. The capabilities of the instrument include low atomic number microanalysis (down to atomic number 4) along with the ability to characterize the microstructure and morphology of pressure and moisture-sensitive species in low vacuum (10-3 torr) environments. This latter feature is extremely important because it permits analysis of 'wet' specimens such as liquids with low vapor pressure, polymers, cements, organic membranes, solvated surfaces, and biological specimens. In addition to these capabilities, the microscope is equipped with an automated programmable specimen stage and appropriate software for residual gunshot-residue analysis, and it has an oversized chamber that permits multi-specimen analysis without operator intervention. The state-of-the-art electron microscope with its expanded capabilities will have a major impact on the quality of research and teaching at the university. In particular, the equipment will provide an opportunity for university researchers in the Forensic Science Partnership and the State Crime Laboratory, located on campus, to develop new courses in textile classification, soils and marine specimen identification, and biological residue tracing. It will present new research opportunities in forensics such as residual gunshot residue analysis and bloodstain analysis. The university investigators in the Sensors and Surface Technology Partnership will also benefit from the acquisition. They are engaged in developing specialty thin-film materials for high sensitivity sensor applications ranging from optical strain gages to GMR high-density hard disk readers. Almost all of these materials developments depend on the ability to analyze rapidly and accurately the chemical composition, morphologies, and structures of the thin film materials involved in these devices, which frequently extend into the realm of nanotechnology.