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

这一重大研究仪器奖支持购买配备了一系列探测器的现代扫描电子显微镜(SEM)，这些探测器可以对样品成像并收集有关化学成分和晶体取向的定量数据。这种用途广泛的仪器将支持和推进缅因州博登学院在地质学、海洋学、化学和考古学方面的研究。扫描电子显微镜将推进的一些多样化研究的例子涉及地球-S构造板块的运动，超级火山的演化和喷发，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。新的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自学和暑期研究项目中使用扫描电子显微镜。这些研究项目将培训学生将现代分析技术应用于地球科学的原创研究问题，并将加强学院跨学科研究的基础设施。此外，PIS将把基于扫描电子显微镜的研究纳入学院的入学前推广计划，为未被充分代表的本科生提供为期数天的科学沉浸计划。本科生和研究人员利用扫描电子显微镜收集的图像和数据将通过鲍登学院的年度展览和网页特写用于提高公众的科学素养。扫描电子显微镜将配备背向散射电子(BSE)探测器、阴极发光(CL)探测器、能谱仪(EDS)和完全集成的电子背向散射衍射(EBSD)系统。使用这些探测器，研究活动将利用扫描电子显微镜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)的能力来研究各种矿物学、岩石学和构造问题。应用实例包括：1)记录压力-温度-时间限制的副矿物的特征，2)晶体取向测量以推断深成-火山、变形和晶体生长过程的机制，3)确定造岩矿物的成分分区和/或区域以跟踪压力、温度、变形和成分的变化，4)变形微结构的特征，5)测量淡水流动对河口环境的碳酸盐化学的影响，6)确定深海珊瑚的生长带，7)确定北极人工制品的来源，以及8)冶金和古币的流通路线的评估。该仪器促进了有意义地让教授、合作者、学生和社区合作伙伴参与的创新研究，并扩大了鲍登学院可能进行的科学研究的广度。

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.