MRI: Acquisition of an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) for Engineering Research and Education

这项主要研究仪器(MRI)奖的目标是获得劳伦斯理工大学的环境扫描电子显微镜(ESEM)。环境扫描电子显微镜(ESEM)是一种强大的材料研究工具，它可以研究湿的、油性的、多孔的和柔软的材料，这些材料传统上被认为不可能使用传统的显微镜技术进行研究。收购劳伦斯技术大学的环境扫描电子显微镜系统将极大地加强劳伦斯技术公司及其在底特律大都会地区的合作机构正在进行的一系列研究活动。这包括劳伦斯理工学院、William Beaumont医院和韦恩州立大学对新型生物材料、微型医疗器械和整形外科植入物的表征；劳伦斯理工学院对碳纳米管增强水泥基材料的研究和对受火混凝土的断裂分析；奥克兰大学为开发具有更高效发动机/传动部件的新型汽车而进行的新型表面涂层和润滑剂的表征；以及通用汽车公司为开发下一代锂离子电池而研究的新型电极材料。一旦环境扫描电子显微镜获得并投入使用，它将支持的研究项目的结果将被公布和传播，以促进本提案中的研究人员对各种研究领域的进一步了解和进展。环境扫描电子显微镜将加强劳伦斯理工学院及其合作机构现有的材料研究基础设施，并加强劳伦斯理工学院和其他大学大量学生的研究和教育经验。通过在各种外展项目中使用环境扫描电子显微镜的实践经验，实验室课程的发展将加强劳伦斯理工大学S在底特律大都会地区的领导作用，以增加进入科学和工程专业的女性和代表性不足的学生的数量。

The objective of this Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) award is to acquire an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM)at Lawrence Technological University. The environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) is a powerful materials research tool that permits the study of wet, oily, porous and soft materials which are traditionally considered impossible to study using conventional microscopy techniques. The acquisition of an ESEM system at Lawrence Technological University will greatly enhance a wide array of ongoing research activities at Lawrence Tech and its partnering institutions in the metro Detroit area. This includes the characterization of novel biomaterials, microfabricated medical devices and orthopedic implants at Lawrence Tech, William Beaumont Hospital, and Wayne State University; the study of carbon nanotube-reinforced cement based materials and fracture analysis of concrete exposed to fire at Lawrence Tech, the characterization of novel surface coatings and lubricants for the development of new vehicles with more efficient engine/transmission components at Oakland University, and the study of novel electrode materials for the development of next generation lithium ion batteries at General Motors. Once this ESEM is acquired and operational, results from the research projects it will support will be published and disseminated to stimulate further understanding and progress in the various research areas of the investigators in this proposal. The ESEM will strengthen the existing materials research infrastructure at Lawrence Tech and its partnering institutions, and enhance the research and educational experiences of a large number of students at Lawrence Tech and other universities. The development of laboratory sessions with hands-on experience of using this ESEM for a variety of outreach programs will strength Lawrence Tech?s leading role in the metro Detroit area to increase the number of women and underrepresented students entering science and engineering.