MRI: Acquisition of an SEM-EDS System: Advancing Scientific Discovery and Student Scientific Inquiry in Rural Illinois

西伊利诺伊大学将获得一个扫描电子显微镜与能量色散探测器的研究和本科教育在地质学，化学，生物科学和人类学的部门。研究范围从非生物材料的基础研究到需要高放大倍数观察的生物体。电子显微镜系统也将被整合到谁是西伊利诺伊州的研究生（上升）计划的一部分，本科生和研究生的培训，让他们与国家的最先进的观察和分析工具的重要经验。电子显微镜系统也将用于合作推广计划，以帮助将有意义的科学经验带到伊利诺伊州农村的中小学课堂。该项目将使西伊利诺伊大学（WIU）获得一台带有EDS（能量色散X射线）的SEM（扫描电子显微镜），该设备的可用性将有助于推进伊利诺伊州西部一个小型农村机构的积极研究计划，范围从无机材料的基础研究到植物和微生物之间复杂的共生关系。具体研究项目包括研究1）脊椎动物腐烂和保存的因素和过程，2）无机材料的合成，结构和性质，3）蛤虾的进化和化石保存过程，4）岩浆混合事件中的深层过程，5）无脊椎动物的摄食形态，6）洞穴内发现的独特岩层中的微生物参与，7）植物-真菌相互作用和微生物对极端条件的适应。学生，无论是从科学和科学教育，将接触到这个现代化的设备，在他们的类，并通过个人研究项目的一部分，由在WIU的研究实习生（上升）计划提供的机会。

Western Illinois University will acquire a Scanning Electron Microscope with an Energy-Dispersive detector for research and undergraduate education in the Departments of Geology, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, and Anthropology. Research ranges from basic study of non-biologic materials to organisms that require high magnification to observe. The electron microscope system will also be integrated in the training of undergraduate and graduate students who are part of Western Illinois' Research Inspiring Student (RISE) program, giving them important experience with state-of-the-art observational and analytical tools. The electron microscope system will be used as well in a cooperative outreach program to help bring meaningful scientific experiences to primary and secondary classrooms in rural Illinois. This project will enable Western Illinois University (WIU) to acquire an SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) with EDS (energy dispersive X-ray), The availability of this equipment will help advance active research programs at a small rural institution in western Illinois that range from the basic study of inorganic materials to complex symbiotic associations between plants and microorganisms. The specific research projects include studying 1) factors and processes involved in decay and preservation of vertebrates, 2) synthesis, structure, and properties of inorganic materials, 3) evolution of clam shrimp and the processes involved in fossil preservation, 4) deep processes involved in magmatic mixing events, 5) feeding morphology in invertebrates, 6) microbial involvement in the unique rock formations found within caves, and 7) plant-fungal interactions and microbial adaptations to extreme conditions. Students, both from the sciences and science education, will be exposed to this modern equipment in their classes and through individual research projects as part of the opportunities offered by the Research Inspiring Student (RISE) program at WIU.