MRI-R2: Acquisition of a Scanning Electron Microscope for Research and Research Training at UNC

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。从主要研究仪器（MRI）计划，化学，地球科学，生物学，物理学和人类学在北方科罗拉多大学的部门将获得此奖项扫描电子显微镜（SEM）配备能量色散光谱（EDS），以支持这些部门的研究活动。该仪器将使专注于材料科学，地质学，生物学，人类学和环境的项目取得重大进展。项目的例子包括：1）研究矿物锆石如何提供关于山脉带形成的关键信息，2）测定金属间化合物中的元素组成，3）研究表面上的单层形成和稳定性，关于研究特定受体-分析物相互作用，4）阐明硒在几种丝状真菌中的吸收和分布，5）研究古代石器和骨器上的工具切割和磨损痕迹，以帮助确定其用途和功能; 6）研究植物细胞结构作为温度应力的函数。此外，SEM将在大学的一些推广和教育活动中发挥作用，包括职前K-12教师的教育，以及与拉勒米县社区学院和格里利/韦尔德县法医实验室的持续合作。扫描电子显微镜是用于提供样品表面的图像的广泛使用的技术。图像是通过用电子束扫描表面获得的。能量色散光谱与SEM相结合，提供元素分析，即样品的化学表征。SEM/EDS收购将完全融入教师的研究计划，并将由来自各种科学学科的研究生使用。由北方科罗拉多大学开展的广泛的教育和推广活动将使大量的公众成员接触到SEM成像的实用性，以帮助回答科学中的重要问题。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program, the Departments of Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Biology, Physics and Anthropology at the University of Northern Colorado will acquire a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to support research activities in these Departments. This instrumentation will enable significant advances in projects focused on materials science, geology, biology, anthropology and the environment. Examples of projects include: 1) the investigation of how the mineral zircon can provide critical information regarding the formation of mountain belts, 2) the determination of elemental composition in intermetallic materials, 3) the investigation of monolayer formation and stability on surfaces, with respect to studying specific receptor-analyte interactions, 4) the elucidation of the uptake and distribution of selenium in several filamentous fungi, 5) the study of the tool cut and wear marks on ancient stone and bone tools to help in determining their use and function, and 6) the study of plant cell structure as a function of temperature stress. In addition, the SEM will feature in a number of outreach and education activities of the University, including the education of pre-service K-12 teachers, and ongoing collaborations with Laramie County Community College and the Greeley/Weld County Forensic Laboratory. Scanning electron microscopy is a widely used technique for providing an image of a sample surface. The image is obtained from scanning the surface with a beam of electrons. Energy dispersive spectroscopy is combined with a SEM to provide elemental analysis i.e. chemical characterization of the sample. The SEM/EDS acquisition will be fully integrated into faculty members' research programs, and will be used by research students from a wide variety of science disciplines. The wide-ranging education and outreach activities carried out by the University of Northern Colorado will expose a large number of members of the public to the utility of SEM imaging in helping to answer important questions in science.