DUAL BEAM SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE FOR HYDRATED AND SOFT MATERIAL APPLICATIONS

适用于水合和软材料应用的双光束扫描电子显微镜

• 批准号: 0619515
• 负责人: Maureen McCann
• 金额: $ 67.3万
• 依托单位: Purdue University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2006
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2006-09-01 至 2009-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0619515&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DUAL; BEAM; SCANNING; ELECTRON; MICROSCOPE

This award is for the acquisition of a High-Resolution Dual-Beam Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope to be housed in the university's Life Sciences Microscopy Facility. This new microscope provides unique imaging capabilities that will accelerate discovery in problems using hydrated and soft samples, by incorporating cryo techniques along with ion milling and electron beam imaging at high resolution. The ability to image under environmental conditions (ESEM) adds exciting capabilities for dynamic experimentation. Researchers will explore many applications such as (1) Imaging plant cell deformation on the surface and internal to various plant organs to deduce how the biophysical properties of their cell walls have been modified by specific mutations in cell wall-related genes, (2) Identifying and localizing specific elements to plant cellular compartments to shed light on the mechanism by which plant cells can sequester high concentrations of toxic elements, useful for phytoremediation, and (3) Imaging the interactions of nanomaterials with cellular structures to reveal the position of nanoprobes within the cell and their influence on intracellular functions. Application of this instrument to the teaching and outreach mission of the university will be accomplished as follows: (1) Bringing the excitement of high technology and scientific imaging directly to the classroom, both on and off campus, through remote microscope control via internet interface, (2) Problem solving by advanced lab groups such as in Forensic Science, (3) Outreach to middle and high schools throughout Indiana (Science Bound Program & school/departmental outreach), (4) Outreach to historically under-represented students in science through programs such as the Howard Hughes and MARC summer programs held annually at the university, (5) Enhancing existing research and teaching interactions with historic minority institutions to include "virtual" microscopy experiences, (6) Construction of teaching materials for all levels (with the assistance of the Envision Center), and (6) Collaborative research and teaching interactions with regional institutions.

该奖项用于购买一台高分辨率双光束环境扫描电子显微镜，安装在该大学的生命科学显微镜设施中。这款新型显微镜提供独特的成像功能，通过将低温技术与高分辨率的离子铣削和电子束成像相结合，将加速使用水合和软样品发现问题。在环境条件下成像的能力 (ESEM) 为动态实验增添了令人兴奋的功能。研究人员将探索许多应用，例如（1）对各种植物器官表面和内部的植物细胞变形进行成像，以推断细胞壁的生物物理特性如何被细胞壁相关基因的特定突变所改变，（2）识别和定位植物细胞区室的特定元素，以揭示植物细胞隔离高浓度有毒元素的机制，这对植物修复有用，以及 (3) 成像纳米材料与细胞结构的相互作用，揭示纳米探针在细胞内的位置及其对细胞内功能的影响。该仪器在大学教学和外展任务中的应用将如下完成：(1) 通过互联网接口的远程显微镜控制，将高科技和科学成像的兴奋直接带入校园内外的课堂，(2) 由法医学等先进实验室小组解决问题，(3) 推广到印第安纳州各地的初中和高中（科学绑定计划和学校/部门外展），(4) 推广到历史 通过每年在大学举办的霍华德休斯和 MARC 暑期课程等项目，加强科学领域代表性不足的学生，(5) 加强与历史悠久的少数群体机构的现有研究和教学互动，包括“虚拟”显微镜体验，(6) 构建各级教材（在远景中心的协助下），以及 (6) 与地区机构的合作研究和教学互动。