MRI: Acquisition of an Electron Probe Microanalyzer for Innovative Geological, Biogeochemical, and Material Science Applications

提供资金购买现代电子探针显微分析仪 (EPMA)，以支持奥道明大学 (ODU) 的多个研究项目，以及诺福克州立大学 (NSU) 和汉普顿大学 (HU)（两所少数民族服务机构）以及威廉玛丽学院 (W&M) 的活动。这些研究项目包括开创性的铁颗粒示踪技术，该技术利用现有的 EPMA 来测量过去 16 年中的颗粒化学，以研究北极海冰和气候变化；使用详细的 (10 µm) 耳石层化学研究鱼类种群动态，这对于未来的鱼类资源管理至关重要；对 USS Monitor 等无价海洋文物进行金属修复；对太空探索重要的铝锂合金分层进行研究；对大型粒子加速器中使用的电极进行研究。 （例如，杰斐逊实验室和费米实验室以及未来的国际直线对撞机，这是一个价值 90 亿美元的项目），以及在研究和工业领域广泛应用的新激光分析技术的校准。 ODU 和其他当地机构需要 EPMA 和其他类型微量分析的创新研究项目不断增多，促使 ODU 承诺扩大建筑空间并为此类设备提供支持。 ODU 致力于确保有一名合格、经验丰富的 EPMA 操作员全职协助这项研究，并确保新的 EPMA 得到妥善维护。所请求的 EPMA 将取代 39 岁的 ETEC EPMA，后者现已远远超过退休年龄。 EPMA 仪器的最新发展使得延长夜间和周末自动化操作成为可能，并通过场外监控实现安全。这允许扩大 EPMA 的使用范围，因为目前资助的铁粒工作大部分可以在正常工作时间后完成，从而使该仪器可以在需要实际操作的白天使用。所请求的 EPMA 是 ODU 重大研究基础设施计划的一部分。将容纳 EPMA 和其他微量分析仪器的新研究设施正在建设中，计划于 2009 年初竣工，并将成为一个区域性微量分析设施。 EPMA 将提供“实践”机会。 ODU、NSU、HU、W&M 和其他机构的研究生和本科生的研究经验。据估计，这些机构的 12 名研究人员、21 名研究生和 58 名本科生将在最初几年使用新的 EPMA。除了研究之外，EPMA 还将用于研究生和本科生课程的课堂演示和练习。管理计划规定使用费涵盖维护合同、用品和经验丰富的操作员，远远超出了资助期限的三年。作为学院研究基础设施改善计划的一部分，长期运行和维护由理学院保证。

Funds are provided to acquire a modern electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA) to support several Old Dominion University (ODU) research programs, as well as activities at Norfolk State University (NSU) and Hampton University (HU), both minority-serving institutions, and the College of William and Mary (W&M). These research programs include the pioneering iron grain tracer technique, which employed the existing EPMA to measure grain chemistry over the last 16 years for research on Arctic sea ice and climate change, research on fish population dynamics using detailed (10 ìm) otolith-layer chemistry that is essential for future management of fish stocks, metal restoration for priceless marine artifacts such as the USS Monitor, investigations of delamination in Aluminum-Lithium alloys important to space exploration, studies of electrodes used in large particle accelerators (e.g., Jefferson Lab and Fermilab and the prospective International Linear Collider, a nine billion dollar project), and calibrations of new laser analysis techniques with wide applications for research and industry. The growing list of innovative research projects at ODU and other local institutions requiring an EPMA and other types of microanalyses has prompted a commitment by ODU to expand the building space and support for such equipment. ODU is committed to ensuring that a qualified, experienced EPMA operator is available full-time to facilitate this research and that the new EPMA is maintained properly. The requested EPMA will replace a 39 year old ETEC EPMA that is now well beyond retirement age. Recent developments in EPMA instrumentation has made extended overnight and weekend automated operation possible and safe with offsite monitoring. This allows for expanded usage of an EPMA because much of the currently funded iron grain work can largely be done after normal work hours, opening the instrument to greater daytime usage requiring hands-on operation.The requested EPMA is part of a major research infrastructure plan at ODU. The new Research Facility that will house the EPMA and other microanalysis instrumentation is under construction and scheduled for completion in early 2009 and will be a regional microanalyses facility. The EPMA will provide ?hands-on? research experience for graduate and undergraduate students at ODU, NSU, HU, W&M, and other institutions. An estimated 12 faculty researchers, 21 graduate and 58 undergraduate students from these institutions will use the new EPMA in the first few years. Besides research, the EPMA will be used for classroom demonstrations and exercises for both graduate and undergraduate courses. The management plan provides for usage charges to cover a maintenance contract, supplies, and an experienced operator well beyond the three years of the grant. The long-term operation and maintenance is guaranteed by the College of Sciences as part of the College?s research infrastructure improvement plan.