MRI: Acquisition of a State of the Art Scanning Electron Microscope at Chicago State University on Chicago's far Southside

芝加哥州立大学获得了一笔赠款，用于购买扫描电子显微镜(SEM)。该仪器将加强核心电子显微镜设施的资源。新安装的扫描电子显微镜将在标准高真空模式下产生出色的二次电子图像，并提供使用背向散射探测器在低真空模式下对未涂层和部分水合的样品成像的能力。此外，它还可以方便地收集高分辨率数字图像，以供演示和出版。网络扫描电子显微镜选项将允许我们从远程位置(如小学教室)积极使用显微镜，以支持我们的外展工作。研究项目包括：开发用于太阳能电池的氧化锌薄膜；监测微波增强化学的产品和过程；开发自我修复骨水泥；了解微管相关蛋白Tau组装的生物化学；了解紫花苜蓿淀粉颗粒分解的变化；探索热损伤后结肠和回肠细胞的分化和凋亡；以及了解截短的肌动蛋白结合蛋白在改变细胞骨架动态和结构中的作用。扫描电子显微镜将用于支持大学的教育和外展目标。该设备将广泛用于电子显微镜技术课程，较少用于支持生物和科学教育专业的入门课程。为少数族裔学生开设的两个暑期强化课程使用扫描电子显微镜举办讲习班和支持独立研究项目。这两个项目结合在一起，满足了高中生和大学早期学生发展其STEM技能的需求。网络扫描电子显微镜模块将允许我们开发一个扩展计划，芝加哥公立学校的6-12名教师可以从远程位置使用显微镜来支持他们的课堂课程。考虑到芝加哥州立大学以少数族裔为主的学生人口和周围社区的人口结构，我们强烈认为我们有能力有效地使用所需的设备来支持代表不足的群体的研究和科学教育。

A grant was awarded to Chicago State Univeristy to acquire a scanning electron microsope (SEM). This instrument will enhance the resources of the core electron microscopy facility. The newly installed SEM will yield excellent secondary electron images in standard high vacuum mode and provide the capability to image uncoated and partially hydrated samples in the low vacuum mode using the backscatter detectors. Moreover it will allow easy collection of high-resolution digital images for presentation and publication. The WEB-SEM option that will allow us to actively use the microscope from a remote location, like an elementary school classroom, to support our outreach efforts. Research projects include developing zinc oxide films for solar cells; monitoring the products and processes of microwave enhanced chemistry; developing self-healing bone cement; and understanding the biochemistry of the assembly of the microtubule associated protein Tau; understanding the changes in starch granule breakdown in alfalfa; exploring the differentiation and apoptosis of cells in the colon and ileum after thermal injury; and understanding the role of truncated actin binding proteins in altering the dynamics and structure of the cytoskeleton.The SEM will be used to support the educational and outreach goals of the university. The equipment will be used extensively in the Techniques in Electron Microscopy course and less extensively to support introductory courses for biology and science education majors. Two summer enrichment courses for minority students use the SEM for workshops and to support independent research projects. Taken together, these two programs address the needs of high school and early college students in developing their STEM skills. The WEB-SEM module will allow us to develop an outreach program where 6-12 teachers in the Chicago Public Schools can use the microscope from a remote location to support their classroom curriculum. Given Chicago State's predominantly minority student population and the demographics of the surrounding community, we strongly feel that we are in the position to effectively use the requested equipment to bolster both research and science education among underrepresented groups.