MRI: Acquisition of an SEM-EDS-CL for interdisciplinary research and training in materials imaging and chemical analysis

这笔重大研究仪器(MRI)赠款支持购买设备，以开发蒙大拿大学专注于材料成像和化学分析的新电子显微镜设施。这笔资金用于支持可变压力扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、用于微观化学分析的能量色散X射线光谱仪(EDS)、用于发光材料成像的实时彩色阴极发光(CL)探测器，以及用于样品制备的溅射镀膜机。用户群包括来自地球科学系、人类学系、化学与生物化学系、物理系、地质工程系和林业系的科学家。研究应用包括地质材料的岩石学检查，岩石器和资源运输策略的基于材料的考古学研究，纳米磁性设备的成像和分析，涉及火山灰对水文系统的影响的研究，以及记录河流沉积物中金属污染的性质和成分。参与该项目的教职员工致力于招募不同的研究人员，并有与美洲原住民本科生和研究生合作的记录。本科生将在所有级别的课程和高级研究项目中使用这种最先进的技术，为实践和积极的学习环境奠定基础。接触这些技术将使学生为从事依赖高分辨率显微镜进行材料表征的工业职业做好更好的准备。将通过国际和平倡议、共同国际和平倡议和K-12社区之间已建立的合作来完成外联工作。扫描电子显微镜设施在蒙大拿州是独一无二的，因此将作为一个地区性设施，与其他大学的科学家以及地区州和联邦机构(如蒙大拿州矿产和地质局)进行研究合作。

This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant supports the acquisition of equipment to develop a new electron microscopy facility at The University of Montana that focuses on materials imaging and chemical analysis. This funding provides support for a variable pressure scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) for micro-chemical analysis, a live color cathodoluminescence (CL) detector for imaging of luminescent materials, and a sputter coater for sample preparation. The user group includes scientists from the Departments of Geosciences, Anthropology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Physics, Geological Engineering, and Forestry. Research applications include the petrologic examination of geologic materials, materials-based archaeology studies of lithic tools and resource transport strategies, imaging and analysis of nano-scale magnetic devices, studies involving the effect of fire ash on the hydrologic system, and documenting the nature and compositions of metal contamination in river sediments.The faculty involved in this project are committed to recruiting a diverse group of researchers and have a track record of working with Native American undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduate students will use this state-of-the-art technology in courses at all levels of the curriculum and for senior research projects, forming the foundation for a hands-on, active learning environment. Exposure to these techniques will better prepare students for careers in industry that rely on high resolution microscopy for materials characterization. Outreach will be accomplished through established collaborations involving the PI, co-PIs, and the K-12 community. The scanning electron microscopy facility is unique within the state of Montana and will thus operate as a regional facility for research collaboration with scientists from other universities, and regional state and federal agencies, such as the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology.