MRI: Acquisition of an Intuitive Multi-Touch Scanning Electron Microscope to Enhance Research as well as Undergraduate Student Research and Natural Science Courses

该主要研究仪器（MRI）奖将资助购买多功能扫描电子显微镜（SEM），以支持位于斯塔克的肯特州立大学的研究和教学活动。JEOL SEM将容纳跨越多个学科的创新教师研究项目，并在我们不断扩大的科学项目中为本科生提供新颖的实践研究机会。研究人员、教育工作者和学生，包括那些在邻近的K-12学校系统中代表性不足的群体，将有机会利用扫描电子显微镜产生的高分辨率3D图像，在微观尺度上探索昆虫结构、细菌、化石和矿物质。此外，SEM的远程控制功能将使学生能够通过安装在教室中的计算机在讲座期间实时观看SEM的使用情况，从而提高科学课程的质量。用户友好的扫描电镜和附加的硬件和软件附件包括用于量化结构和矿物元素特性的能量色散x射线微分析系统（EDS）和用于地形分析的三维图像软件。它将容纳教师的研究，并为本科生提供研究机会。特别是，当前和未来的跨学科研究项目包括：1)昆虫口器的趋同进化，特别是蝴蝶和苍蝇，以研究与液体摄取机制相关的结构和功能关系；2)化石十足类动物（如龙虾、虾）的角质层（壳）结构和组成随进化时间的变化；3)牙齿微磨损模式(即：4)与人类健康相关的表面微地形和矿物质的化学反应性；5)丝状农杆菌与植物转化之间的物理关系。获得的图像将被上传到已有的nsf资助的数据库中供公众访问。具有实时远程控制功能的扫描电镜将整合到现有的本科课程中，包括进化和普通微生物学，以及新课程，如病毒学和显微镜原理。SEM还将通过为教师提供自己的图像和学习遥控器使用的讲习班来补充K-12科学课程。这台仪器的收购将是肯特州立大学斯塔克分校新科学大楼的一个非常有价值的补充，将丰富并为我们充满活力的、不断增长的研究项目提供独特的调查机会。

This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) award will fund the acquisition of a multi-functional scanning electron microscope (SEM) to support research and teaching initiatives at Kent State University at Stark. The JEOL SEM will accommodate innovative faculty research projects that span multiple disciplines, and deliver novel, hands-on research opportunities for the undergraduate students in our expanding science program. Researchers, educators, and students, including those at neighboring K-12 school systems with underrepresented groups, will have the opportunity to explore insect structures, bacteria, fossils, and minerals at the micro-scale with high-resolution, 3D images produced by the SEM. In addition, the remote control capabilities of the SEM will enhance science courses by allowing students to watch SEM usage in real time during lectures, via computers installed in the classroom.The user-friendly SEM and additional hardware and software accessories include Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis system (EDS) for quantifying elemental properties of structures and minerals and 3-D image software for topographical analysis. It will accommodate faculty research and provide research opportunities for undergraduate students. In particular, current and future interdisciplinary research projects include the examination of 1) convergent evolution in insect mouthparts, particularly butterflies and flies, to study structure and function relationships associated with fluid uptake mechanisms, 2) changes in cuticle (shell) structure and composition of fossilized decapods (i.e., lobsters, shrimp) over evolutionary time, 3) dental microwear patterns (i.e., scars on teeth) of extinct vertebrates to better understand their ecology and feeding habits, 4) surface microtopography and chemical reactivity of minerals associated with human health, and 5) the physical relationship between the filamentous form of Agrobacterium and plant transformation. The acquired images will be uploaded to pre-existing NSF-funded databases for public access. The SEM, with its real time remote control functionality, will integrate into existing undergraduate courses, including Evolution and General Microbiology, and new courses, such as Virology and Principles of Microscopy. The SEM also will supplement K-12 science courses through workshops for teachers to acquire their own images and learn the remote control usage. This instrument aquisition will be a highly valued addition to the new science building at Kent State University at Stark and will enrich and provide unique opportunities of inquiry to our vibrant, growing research programs.