MRI: Acquisition of a Hitachi S-3400N-II SEM and an INCA E250 EDX System for the microanalysis of sediments and biological material

智力优势：私人投资公司正在申请资金，以购买配备有能量色散X射线光谱仪的现代低真空扫描电子显微镜。拟议的仪器将用于对生物标本、沉积物、岩石、坚硬的骨骼部分和其他材料进行微量分析。拟议仪器支持的研究工作将包括：检查海底以下极端环境中的地质和微生物活动之间的关系；检查颗粒传输和碳循环的动力学；检查鱼类、珊瑚和其他海洋生物的年龄、生长和生活史；分析微生物多样性；以及研究热液喷口生态系统。更广泛的影响：拟议的仪器将提高该机构的研究能力，该机构由七个加州州立大学校区(圣何塞、东湾、蒙特利湾、弗雷斯诺、斯坦尼斯劳、萨克拉门托和旧金山)组成。PIS还指出，拟议的工具将加强这些附属机构的学生辅导活动(本科和高中)，其中包括为少数群体服务的机构。此外，PIS声明，建议的仪器将被纳入学生自主研究产品。

Intellectual Merit:The PIs are requesting funding to acquire a modern low-vacuum scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer. The proposed instrumentation would be used for the microanalysis of biological specimens, sediments, rocks, hard skeletal parts, and other materials. Research efforts supported by the proposed instrumentation would include: examining the relationships between geology and microbial activity in sub-seafloor extreme environments; examining dynamics of particle transport and carbon cycling; examining age, growth, and life histories of fishes, corals, and other marine organisms; analyzing microbial diversity; and examining hydrothermal vent ecosystems. Broader Impacts:The proposed instrumentation will improve the research capability at the institution, which consists of a consortium of seven California State University campuses (San Jose, East Bay, Monterey Bay, Fresno, Stanislaus, Sacramento, and San Francisco). The PIs also state that the proposed instrumentation will enhance student mentoring activities (undergraduate and high school) at these affiliated institutions, which include minority-serving institutions. Additionally, the PIs state that the proposed instrumentation will be incorporated into student independent research products.