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

这项主要研究仪器（MRI）拨款支持在蒙大拿大学购置设备，以开发一个新的电子显微镜设施，专注于材料成像和化学分析。这笔资金用于支持可变压力扫描电子显微镜（SEM），用于微化学分析的能量色散x射线光谱学（EDS），用于发光材料成像的彩色阴极发光（CL）探测器以及用于样品制备的溅射涂层机。用户群包括来自地球科学、人类学、化学与生物化学、物理、地质工程和林业等部门的科学家。研究应用包括地质材料的岩石学检查，石器工具和资源运输策略的材料考古学研究，纳米级磁性装置的成像和分析，涉及火灾灰烬对水文系统影响的研究，以及记录河流沉积物中金属污染的性质和成分。参与该项目的教师致力于招募多样化的研究人员，并有与美国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，为动手、积极的学习环境奠定基础。接触这些技术将更好地为学生在依赖高分辨率显微镜进行材料表征的行业中的职业生涯做好准备。外联工作将通过PI、co-PI和K-12社区的既定合作来完成。扫描电子显微镜设施在蒙大拿州内是独一无二的，因此将作为一个区域设施与其他大学的科学家以及区域州和联邦机构（如蒙大拿州矿业和地质局）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.