Acquisition of a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope

德克萨斯a&m大学的Andreas Holzenburg博士（PI）和Richard Crooks博士（Co-PI）获得了一笔拨款，用于购买最先进的场发射扫描电子显微镜（FE-SEM），该显微镜配备了电子背散射衍射（EBSD）、阴极发光（CL）、能量色散分析（EDS）和拉伸/加热阶段测试，以及更标准的二次电子（SE）和背散射电子（BSE）成像。提案中指定的显微镜将允许使用BSE， SE和CL进行高分辨率成像，元素微量分析，定向对比成像和自动定向分析。拉伸加热/冷却阶段将允许在拉伸或压缩实验期间成像，具有加热功能到1200℃。显微镜的另一个强度是探测器和阶段的几何排列，使CL， EDS， EBSD和拉伸/加热阶段测试在各种同时应用。该仪器还将支持需要对未涂膜生物标本进行成像的项目。因此，它独特地支持了工程以及生物、化学、地质和物理科学领域广泛多样的跨学科研究活动。上述仪器的成像和分析能力将加强若干领域的具体研究项目，包括：开发新型化学传感器和催化剂材料；半导体、高温超导体；微机电系统;聚合物体系的形态和组成分布；土壤形态;近地表地质系统和危险废物场所中的污染物；流体在岩石变形中的作用；地震危险性评价；储层砂体蠕变压实；岩浆的成因；地壳和地幔的流变学；先进材料力学性能-微观结构关系；磷脂双分子层和整体膜蛋白；生物标本表面形貌。选择精确的配置是为了有效地支持德克萨斯农工大学（大学城）以及该地区（拉马尔大学、萨姆休斯顿州立大学和Prairie View农工大学、美国农业部）校园内现有的跨学科研究和培训需求。该工具还将加强针对本科生和研究生学习的教育活动。德克萨斯农工大学和其他地区大学（主要包括本科院校）的研究活动与教学密切相关，FE-SEM将用于课程作业以及促进学生的研究。此外，通过网络活动进行的教育推广为K-12学生提供了使用这些技术的机会。

A grant has been awarded to Dr. Andreas Holzenburg (PI) and Dr. Richard Crooks (Co-PI) at Texas A&M University to acquire a state-of-the-art field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) equipped for electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), cathodoluminescence (CL), energy dispersive analysis (EDS), and tensile/heating stage testing, in addition to the more standard secondary electron (SE) and backscattered electron (BSE) imaging. The microscope as specified in the proposal will allow high resolution imaging using BSE, SE and CL, elemental microanalysis, orientation contrast imaging and automatic orientation analysis. The tensile heating/cooling stage will allow imaging during experiments in tension or compression, with heating functions to 1200 C. Another strength of the microscope is the geometric arrangement of the detectors and stage enabling CL, EDS, EBSD and tensile/heating stage testing in various simultaneous applications. The instrument will also support projects requiring imaging of uncotaed biological specimens. It therefore lends itself to uniquely support a wide range of diverse and interdisciplinary research activities in engineering as well as the biological, chemical, geological and physical sciences. The imaging and analytical capabilities of the instrument as described above will enhance specific research projects in a number of areas including the following: development of novel chemical sensors and catalyst materials; semiconductors, high-temperature superconductors; micro-electromechanical systems; morphology and composition distribution in polymer systems; soil morphology; contaminants in near-surface geologic systems and hazardous waste sites; roles of fluids in rock deformation; evaluation of earthquake risks; creep compaction of reservoir sands; origin of magma; rheology of the Earth's crust and mantle; mechanical property-microstructure relationship of advanced materials; and phospholipid bilayers and integral membrane proteins; surface topography of biological specimens.The exact configuration was chosen to effectively underpin interdisciplinary research and training needs existing on campus at Texas A&M University (College Station) as well as within the region (Lamar University, Sam Houston Sate University and Prairie View A&M University, USDA). The instrument will also enhance educational activities directed towards undergraduate and graduate studies. Research activities at Texas A&M and other regional universities (including primarily undergraduate institutions) are intimately linked with teaching, and the FE-SEM will be used within coursework as well as to advance student research. Furthermore, ongoing educational outreach, through web-based activities, provides access to these technologies to K-12 students.