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，以支持老道明大学的几个研究方案，以及在诺福克州立大学和汉普顿大学的活动，这两所大学都是为少数民族服务的机构，以及威廉与玛丽学院(W&amp；M)。这些研究计划包括开创性的铁颗粒示踪技术，该技术在过去16年里利用现有的EPMA测量北极海冰与气候变化的颗粒化学；利用详细的(10？m)耳石层化学研究鱼类种群动态，这对于未来的鱼类种群管理至关重要；对USS Monitor等珍贵海洋文物的金属修复；对铝锂合金分层的调查，对空间探索至关重要的铝锂合金的研究；对大粒子加速器中使用的电极的研究(如Jefferson Lab和Fermilab以及潜在的国际直线对撞机，一个90亿美元的项目)；校准可广泛应用于研究和工业的新型激光分析技术。ODU和其他地方机构越来越多的创新研究项目需要EPMA和其他类型的微量分析，这促使ODU承诺扩大建筑空间和支持这类设备。ODU致力于确保有一名合格的、经验丰富的EPMA操作员全职协助这项研究，并确保新的EPMA得到适当的维护。要求的EPMA将取代已有39年历史的ETEC EPMA，后者现在已远远超过退休年龄。EPMA仪器的最新发展使延长夜间和周末的自动化操作成为可能，并通过非现场监控实现安全。这允许扩大EPMA的使用范围，因为目前资助的大部分铁粒工作可以在正常工作时间以外完成，从而使仪器可以在更多的白天使用，需要实际操作。请求的EPMA是ODU主要研究基础设施计划的一部分。新的研究设施将容纳电子探针和其他微量分析仪器，目前正在建设中，计划于2009年初完工，它将是一个区域微量分析设施。EPMA将提供？亲身实践？研究经验的研究生和本科生在ODU，NSU，HU，W&A；M和其他机构。据估计，来自这些机构的12名教职研究人员、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，EPMA还将用于研究生和本科课程的课堂演示和练习。管理计划规定，使用费包括维修合同、用品和一名经验丰富的操作员，远远超过赠款的三年。作为S学院科研基础设施改善计划的一部分，长期运营和维护由科学院提供保障。

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.