MRI: Acquisition of a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope for West Chester University, a Primarily Undergraduate Institution

该奖项由主要研究仪器项目和化学研究仪器项目共同支持。宾夕法尼亚州西切斯特大学正在获得一台场发射扫描电子显微镜(FE-SEM)，与一台能量色散光谱仪相耦合，以支持Kurt Kolasinski教授及其同事Howell Bosbyshell、Brandon Mitchell、John Pisciotta和LeeAnn SRogi的研究。该仪器促进了化学、生物学、物理学、地质学和地球科学的研究。扫描电子显微镜被用来成像和理解纳米和介观尺度的化学现象。聚焦的电子束在表面上扫描以产生扫描电子显微镜图像，然后产生信号，揭示关于样品的组成和拓扑的信息。这一工具加强了许多部门各级学生的教育、研究和教学努力，并提供了在附近机构使用的便利条件。该仪器被至少三个部门利用，并在与当地社区学院和组织的外联活动中使用。FE-SEM奖旨在加强所有级别的研究和教育，特别是在生物、化学、地球科学和物理等领域。研究的重点是纳米材料的结构阐明，纳米颗粒与环境的相互作用，以及包括成像和微观分析在内的基本地球材料和过程。高分辨率成像和化学分析是研究薄膜、纳米材料和多孔固体的关键，从而可以建立尺寸-结构-性能之间的关系。此外，其他研究包括评估金属纳米颗粒对纯细菌培养和生物膜中微生物群落的抗菌活性，以更好地了解纳米生态毒理学。它还帮助重建矿物颗粒的微尺度结构和化学成分，整合模型构造的空间组成、山脉带的热演化和与火山危险相关的岩浆室过程。该奖项反映了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，被认为值得支持。

This award is jointly supported by the Major Research Instrumentation and the Chemistry Research Instrumentation Programs. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is acquiring a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) coupled to an energy dispersive spectrometer to support the research of Professor Kurt Kolasinski and colleagues Howell Bosbyshell, Brandon Mitchell, John Pisciotta, and LeeAnn Srogi. This instrument facilitates research in chemistry, biology, physics, geology, and earth sciences. Scanning electron microscopy is used to image and understand chemical phenomena at the nano and mesoscales. A focused electron beam, which is scanned over a surface to generate a SEM image and subsequently produces signals, reveals information about the composition and topology of a sample. This instrument enhances the educational, research, and teaching efforts of students at all levels in many departments as well as provides accessibility for use at nearby institutions. The instrument is leveraged by at least three departments and in outreach activities with local community colleges and organizations.The award for the FE-SEM is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels, especially in areas such as biology, chemistry, earth sciences, and physics. Research focuses on nanomaterial structure elucidation, interactions of nanoparticles with the environment, and fundamental Earth materials and processes that encompass imaging and microanalysis. High-resolution imaging and chemical analysis are key for studying thin films, nanomaterials, and porous solids so that we size-structure-property relationships can be established. In addition, other investigations include evaluation of antimicrobial activity of metallic nanoparticles against pure bacterial cultures and microbial communities in biofilms to better understand nano-ecotoxicology. It also assists in reconstructing microscale textures and chemical compositions of mineral grains, integrating spatial-composition of model tectono-thermal evolution of mountain belts and magma chamber processes associated with volcanic hazards.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.