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

这项主要研究仪器(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将容纳跨多个学科的创新型教员研究项目，并为我们不断扩大的科学计划中的本科生提供新颖的、动手操作的研究机会。研究人员、教育工作者和学生，包括那些在邻近的K-12学校系统中代表人数不足的学生，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。此外，扫描电子显微镜的遥控功能将加强科学课程，让学生在上课期间通过安装在教室内的计算机实时观察扫描电子显微镜的使用情况。操作简便的扫描电子显微镜和额外的硬件和软件附件包括用于量化结构和矿物元素性质的能量色散X射线显微分析系统(EDS)，以及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，特别是蝴蝶和苍蝇的趋同进化，以研究与液体吸收机制有关的结构和功能关系；2)十足类化石(即龙虾、虾)的角质层(壳)结构和组成随进化时间的变化；3)灭绝脊椎动物的牙齿微磨损模式(即牙齿上的疤痕)，以更好地了解它们的生态和食性；4)与人类健康有关的矿物的表面微地形和化学反应；5)丝状农杆菌和植物转化之间的物理关系。获取的图像将被上传到预先存在的NSF资助的数据库中，供公众访问。具有实时遥控功能的扫描电子显微镜将整合到现有的本科课程中，包括进化论和普通微生物学，以及新课程，如病毒学和显微镜原理。此外，教统局亦会透过工作坊补充K-12科学课程，让教师掌握自己的影像及学习遥控器的使用方法。这一仪器采购将是位于斯塔克的肯特州立大学新的科学大楼的一项非常有价值的补充，并将丰富我们充满活力的、不断增长的研究项目，并为其提供独特的探索机会。

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.