MRI: Acquisition of a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with EDS, EBSD and CL detectors to advance research and undergraduate research training

该主要研究仪器奖支持购买配备有探测器阵列的现代扫描电子显微镜（SEM），该探测器阵列可对样品进行成像并收集有关化学成分和晶体取向的定量数据。这种高度通用的仪器将支持和推进缅因州的文科学院鲍登学院的地质学、海洋学、化学和考古学研究。SEM将推进的一些不同研究的例子与地球的运动有关？的构造板块，超级火山的演化和爆发，影响蛤壳强度的因素，北极文物的起源，以及古希腊罗马硬币的冶金。新仪器还将促进学院的本科生研究培训。本科生将在多门课程以及独立学习和夏季研究项目中使用SEM。这些研究项目将培养学生将现代分析技术应用于地球科学的原始研究问题，并将加强学院跨学科研究的基础设施。此外，PI将把基于SEM的研究纳入学院的预科外展计划，为代表性不足的本科生提供为期多日的科学沉浸式课程。由本科生和研究人员与扫描电镜收集的图像和数据将被用来提高公众的科学素养，通过在鲍登学院的年度展览，并通过网页功能。SEM将配备背散射电子（BSE）检测器、阴极发光（CL）检测器、能量色散光谱仪（EDS）和完全集成的电子背散射衍射（EBSD）系统。使用这些探测器，研究活动将利用SEM的高空间分辨率和同时获取多个数据集（即地球化学和晶体取向）的能力，以研究各种矿物学，岩石学和构造问题。示例应用包括：1）表征记录压力-温度-时间约束的辅助矿物，2）晶体取向测量，以推断深成-火山、变形和晶体生长过程的力学，3）确定成岩矿物中的成分分区和/或域，以跟踪压力、温度、变形和成分的变化，4）表征变形显微结构，5）测量淡水流对河口环境碳酸盐化学的影响，6）识别深海珊瑚的生长带，7）确定北极人工制品的来源，8）评估古代硬币的冶金和流通路线。仪器促进创新研究，有意义地涉及教授，合作者，学生和社区合作伙伴，并扩大科学探究的广度可能在鲍登学院。

This Major Research Instrumentation award supports the acquisition of a modern scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an array of detectors that image samples and collect quantitative data on chemical compositions and crystal orientations. This highly versatile instrument will support and advance research in geology, oceanography, chemistry and archaeology at Bowdoin College, a liberal arts college in Maine. Examples of some of the diverse research that will be advanced by the SEM relate to the movement of Earth?s tectonic plates, the evolution and eruptions of supervolcanoes, factors affecting clamshell strength, the origin of Arctic artefacts, and the metallurgy of ancient Greco-Roman coins. The new instrumentation also will facilitate undergraduate research training at the College. Undergraduate students will use the SEM in multiple courses as well as during independent-study and summer research projects. These research projects will train students to apply modern analytical techniques to original research questions in Earth Science and will enhance the infrastructure for research across disciplines at the College. Additionally, the PIs will incorporate SEM-based research into a pre-matriculation outreach program at the College that provides underrepresented undergraduate students with a multi-day immersion program in science. Images and data collected by undergraduates and researchers with the SEM will be used to increase public scientific literacy through an annual exhibition at Bowdoin College and through web page features. The SEM will be equipped with a backscattered electron (BSE) detector, cathodoluminescence (CL) detector, energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and a fully integrated electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) system. Using these detectors, the research activities will leverage the high spatial resolution of the SEM and the ability to simultaneously acquire multiple datasets (i.e. geochemistry and crystal orientation) to investigate a variety of mineralogic, petrologic, and tectonic questions. Example applications include: 1) characterization of accessory minerals that record pressure-temperature-time constraints, 2) crystal orientation measurements to infer the mechanics of plutonic-volcanic, deformation, and crystal growth processes, 3) determination of compositional zoning and/or domains in rock-forming minerals to track changes in pressure, temperature, deformation, and composition, 4) characterization of deformation microstructures, 5) measurement of the impact of freshwater flow on the carbonate chemistry of estuarine environments, 6) identification of growth bands in deep sea corals, 7) determination of the origin of artefacts in the Arctic, and 8) evaluation of metallurgy and the circulation routes of ancient coins. The instrumentation facilitates innovative research that meaningfully involves professors, collaborators, students, and community partners and expands the breadth of scientific inquiry possible at Bowdoin College.