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消融(LA)系统提供资金，该系统与现有的电感耦合等离子质谱仪配合使用，这两种仪器都可以对微观地质样品进行分析和成像，包括微化石、火山碎片、天然和合成玻璃、岩石和矿物。所要求的两种仪器可以在实验室中协同工作，也可以单独工作，这将极大地加强和补充罗德岛大学已有的研究能力。每个主要研究人员都有一个强大的研究计划，将看到国家科学基金会的研究项目在地球科学中立即受益。这些仪器将有助于无数本科生和研究生的专业发展，支持早期科学家不断增长的研究计划，并使罗德岛各机构之间跨多个学科的地球科学家之间有一个更广泛的合作平台。LA系统的升级维护和改进了现有的多产实验室的功能，而收购紧凑的扫描电子显微镜系统除了增强LA系统的使用并向其提供信息外，还增加了新的成像能力。这些仪器提供的测量和图像对PIS解决一系列地球科学领域的关键假设的努力产生了积极影响，包括(1)挥发物和微量元素在板块构造旋回中的作用，(2)海底火山爆发和喷发期间的碎裂过程，(3)地球内部产生多样化岩浆成分的机制，以及(4)保存、分类和过去气候条件下微化石记录中固有的化学异质性的作用。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，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.