MRI: Acquisition of an Analytical Transmission Electron Microscope with Cryogenic Imaging Capabilites for Research and Teaching at a PUI

由化学研究仪器和设施（CRIF）项目共同资助的化学主要研究仪器（MRI）项目授予了这项奖项，来自西肯塔基大学的Hemali Rathnayake教授及其同事Shivendra Sahi、Muhammad Jahan、Rajalingam Dakshinanurthy和Rodney King将获得一台具有低温成像能力的分析透射电子显微镜（TEM）。该提案旨在加强各级的研究和教育，特别是在以下领域：(a)有机-无机纳米结构作为绿色能源技术的能量收集材料；(b)用于抗菌应用的金纳米颗粒的合成和表征；(c)基因组的发现和探索；(d)植物介导的金和银纳米颗粒生物合成；(e)薄膜的纳米加工和表征；(f)碳纳米管和粘土；(g)用于水处理的改性天然矿物。在透射电子显微镜（TEM）中，一束电子通过非常薄的样品透射。当材料通过时，这些电子与材料相互作用，然后通过这种相互作用形成图像，然后将图像放大并聚焦到成像设备上，例如照相机。这种技术能够提供关于局部结构的直接信息，而不是由其他技术（如x射线或中子衍射分析）确定的平均结构。瞬变电磁法已成为生命科学、物理科学、材料科学、环境科学等领域的重要研究工具。一些例子是复杂系统的研究，如组织、聚合物、凝胶、多金属氧化物等。该仪器将用于研究活动，也用于来自不同背景的大量学生的研究培训和教育。

With this award from the Chemistry Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program that is co-funded by the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program, Professor Hemali Rathnayake from Western Kentucky University and colleagues Shivendra Sahi, Muhammad Jahan, Rajalingam Dakshinanurthy and Rodney King will acquire an analytical transmission electron microscope (TEM) with cryogenic imaging capabilites. The proposal is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels, especially in areas such as (a) organic-inorganic nanostructures as energy harvesting materials for green energy technology; (b) synthesis and characterization gold nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications; (c) genome discovery and exploration; (d) in plant-mediated biosynthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles; (e) nanomachining and characterization of thin films; (f) carbon nanotubes and clays; and (g) modified natural minerals for water treatment.In a transmission electron microscope (TEM) a beam of electrons is transmitted through a very thin sample. These electrons interact with the material as it passes through and then an image is formed from such interaction which is then enlarged and focused onto an imaging device, e.g., a camera. This technique is capable of providing direct information on the local structure rather than the average structure determined by other techniques such as X-ray or neutron diffraction analysis. TEM has become an important research tool in the life, physical, material, and environmental sciences. Some examples are the study of complex systems such as tissue, polymers, gels, multi metal oxides, and others. The instrumentation will be used in research activities and also for research training and education of a large number of students from diverse backgrounds.