Acquisition of Micro-Analytical Tools for Geochemistry

该合同将为购买台式扫描电子显微镜（SEM）系统和升级老化的激光烧蚀（LA）系统提供资金，该系统与现有的电感耦合等离子体质谱仪配对，这两种系统都可以分析和成像微观地质样品，包括微化石、火山碎片、天然和合成玻璃、岩石和矿物。这两种仪器可以在实验室中串联或独立工作，将极大地增强和补充罗德岛大学现有的研究能力。每一位主要研究人员都有一个强有力的研究计划，这将使美国国家科学基金会在地球科学领域的研究项目立即受益。这些仪器将有助于众多本科生和研究生的专业发展，支持早期职业科学家不断增长的研究计划，并使罗德岛机构中许多学科的地球科学家之间的合作成为更广泛的平台。LA系统的升级维护并改善了已建立的高效实验室的功能，而购买紧凑型SEM系统除了增强和通知LA系统的使用外，还增加了新的成像能力。这些仪器提供的测量和图像对pi在解决一系列地球科学领域的关键假设方面的努力产生了积极的影响，包括(1)挥发物和微量元素在板块构造旋回中的作用，(2)爆炸性和喷涌性海底火山活动期间的破碎过程，(3)地球内部产生多样性岩浆成分的机制，以及(4)保存，分类，以及过去气候条件的微化石记录中固有的化学异质性。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识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 award will provide funds to acquire a bench-top scanning electron microscope (SEM) system and upgrade an aging laser ablation (LA) system that is paired with an existing inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer, both of which enable analysis and imaging of microscopic geological samples, including microfossils, volcanic fragments, and natural and synthetic glasses, rocks, and minerals. The two requested instruments, which may work in tandem or independently in the laboratory, will vastly enhance and complement the established research capabilities at the University of Rhode Island. Each of the principal investigators has a robust research program that will see immediate benefit to NSF research projects within the Geosciences. These instruments will contribute to the professional development of numerous undergraduate and graduate students, support the growing research program of an early-career scientist, and enable a broader platform of collaboration among Earth scientists across many disciplines among Rhode Island institutions.Upgrade of the LA system maintains and improves functionality of an established and productive laboratory, whereas acquisition of a compact SEM system adds new imaging capabilities in addition to enhancing and informing the use of the LA system. Measurements and images enabled by these instruments positively impact the PIs' endeavors to address key hypotheses across a range of Earth science fields, including (1) the role of volatiles and trace elements in plate tectonic cycles, (2) fragmentation processes during explosive and effusive submarine volcanism, (3) the mechanisms by which Earth's interior produces a diversity of magma compositions, and (4) the roles of preservation, taxonomy, and inherent chemical heterogeneity in microfossil records of past climate conditions.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.