MRI: Acquisition of a Tabletop Scanning Electron Microscope for Research and Education at Northern Kentucky University

在主要研究仪器（MRI）项目、化学研究仪器和设施（CRIF）以及EPSCoR项目的支持下，北肯塔基大学（NKU）将获得一台具有能量色散x射线光谱学能力（SEM/EDX）的扫描电子显微镜。扫描电子显微镜用一束电子撞击样品来探测材料表面。电子从表面散射产生的显微照片（图片）提供了材料结构和形态的信息。EDX附件提供有关材料元素组成的信息。这提供了对物质的微观和宏观性质和特征的见解。这次收购将为学生提供使用这一重要分析工具的培训。它将由北大化学和生物科学本科研究项目的学生以及纳米科学夏令营的女性和代表性不足的高中生使用。它将被用于几个实验课，为大量的本科生提供培训。该奖项将用于以下领域的研究：a)开发生物相容性给药装置；B)研究体内局部检测平台，了解甲状腺激素与辅助内分泌疾病的代谢途径；(c)富勒烯- tm聚合物体系及其光学和物理性质的研究；(d)以微电极制作为目的，研究胚胎无尾猿的消化生理。

With this award supported by the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program, the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) and EPSCoR programs, Northern Kentucky University (NKU) will acquire a scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy capability (SEM/EDX). A scanning electron microscope probes the surfaces of materials with a beam of electrons impinging on a sample. The resultant micrograph (picture) produced from the electrons scattering from the surface provides information on the structure and morphology of the material. The EDX accessory provides information on the elemental composition of the material. This provides insight on the microscopic and macroscopic properties and characteristics of a substance. This acquisition will provide training to students in the use of this important analytical tool. It will be used by students in the chemistry and biological sciences undergraduate research programs at NKU and by women and underrepresented high school students at Nanoscience Summer Camps. It will be employed in several laboratory courses providing training to large numbers of undergraduate students. The award will be employed in research in areas including: a) development of a biocompatible drug delivery device; b) investigation of in-vivo local detection platforms to understand the metabolic pathway of thyroid hormones in relation to ancillary endocrine disorders; (c) investigation of fullerene-TM polymeric systems and their optical and physical properties; and (d) investigation of digestive physiology of embryonic anurans with the aim of carrying out microelectrode fabrication.