MRI: Acquisition of micro-computed tomography system for imaging by multiple, inter-disciplinary, users at East Tennessee State University

这项主要研究仪器补助金支持收购微米级成像X射线计算机断层扫描系统（XRCT），将被安置在东田纳西州立大学（ETSU）的校园内，供当地和区域研究人员及其学生使用。 Micro-XRCT允许对固体样品的外部和内部进行具有微米级空间分辨率的非破坏性成像，从而允许对生物和古生物学标本、物理样品和文物的形态和结构进行快速和定量测量。 由于其非破坏性的性质，它对于博物馆标本，文物和稀有样品的研究特别重要。 该仪器将支持对自然历史博物馆、里斯博物馆、生物科学无脊椎动物和脊椎动物博物馆以及ETSU地球科学骨骼学收藏品中大量文物、标本和化石的研究。 所有这些公共收藏包含数十万使用公共资金策划的对象，但可能很难访问和查看。使用XRCT，可以生成、分析标本的3D数字图像，并轻松与公众共享，同时保留对象供后代研究。与3D打印相结合，这项技术将大大促进该地区的STEM培训，并吸引南阿巴拉契亚地区更广泛的受众。ETSU和该地区的许多研究人员将使用XRCT仪器，但ETSU的三个部门将大量使用该仪器。在生物科学中，它将用于生物标本的高分辨率三维成像，以揭示生物体的形式和功能，发育过程和进化之间的联系。在古生物学卓越中心，它将用于现代和化石脊椎动物的高分辨率三维成像，以探索现代和化石脊椎动物的生长、发育、形态和病理，并作为ETSU自然历史博物馆和格雷化石遗址（世界上最重要的新生代哺乳动物化石档案之一）大规模数字化工作的一部分。 该仪器还将支持里斯博物馆文物的三维重建，用于形式和功能的研究，并增加展览和教育机会。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This Major Research Instrumentation grant supports the acquisition of micron scale imaging X-ray Computed Tomography system (XRCT), to be housed on the campus of East Tennessee State University (ETSU) for the use of local and regional researchers and their students. Micro-XRCT allows for non-destructive imaging of the exteriors and interiors of solid sample with micron scale spatial resolution allowing for rapid and quantitative measurement of the morphology and structure of biological and paleontological specimens, physical samples, and cultural artifacts. It is particularly critical for study of museum specimens, artifacts, and rare samples owing to its non-destructive nature. The instrument will support research on an extensive collection of cultural artifacts, specimens, and fossils housed at the Museum of Natural History, Reece Museum, Biological Sciences invertebrate and vertebrate museums, and Geosciences osteological collections at ETSU. All told these public collections contain hundreds of thousands of objects that are curated using public funds but may be hard to access and view. Using XRCT, 3-D digital images of specimens can be generated, analyzed, and easily shared with the public, all while preserving the object for future generations to study. Combined with 3D printing, this technology will significantly boost STEM training in the region and engage a wider audience across Southern Appalachia. The XRCT instrument will be used many researchers across ETSU and the region, however, it will receive heavy use from three departments at ETSU. In Biological Sciences it will be used for high resolution, 3-D imaging of biological specimens to reveal links between form and function, developmental processes, and evolution of organisms. In the Center of Excellence in Paleontology it will be used for high resolution, 3-D imaging of modern and fossil vertebrates to explore growth, development, morphology and pathologies of modern and fossil vertebrates and as part of large-scale digitization efforts at the ETSU Museum of Natural History and Gray Fossil Site, one of the world's premier archives of Cenozoic mammal fossils. The instrument will also support 3-D reconstruction of cultural artifacts at the Reece Museum for research on form and function and to enhance exhibitions and education opportunities.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.