Equipment: MRI: Track 1 Acquisition of a Transmission Electron Microscope with Cryogenic Imaging Capabilities for Research and Education

这项主要研究仪器（MRI）拨款支持购买具有先进功能的透射电子显微镜（TEM），如高分辨率成像，低温操作和能量色散x射线光谱学。透射电子显微镜位于南密西西比大学聚合物科学与工程学院的成像仪器集群内。该系统填补了南密西西比大学和整个密西西比州的研究人员在形态分析能力方面的一个重要空白——以前没有州内低温透射电子显微镜的能力。该仪器被整合到研究生和本科课程中，也用于针对K-12学生和教师的演示，以提高他们对科学和工程的兴趣。这台透射电子显微镜是设备的一个组成部分，使学校保持软物质表征的领导者地位，并继续提供合作的机会，跨多个机构（博士研究，主要是本科机构和社区学院），在密西西比州和更大的墨西哥湾沿岸地区。技术描述获得的透射电子显微镜（TEM）配置特别强调冷冻TEM，适用于软物质，生物样品，聚合物和纳米材料的3D表征，以及其速度和易于操作。显微镜的多种先进功能适应国内、全国和地区的庞大而多样的用户群。该仪器支持了南密西西比大学和密西西比州在材料科学、化学、海洋科学和生物学等领域的许多多学科前沿研究项目。该仪器有助于研究的一些例子包括了解大分子的组装和相互作用，探测聚合材料的形态，破译海洋病毒生态，以及表征材料和生物系统的相互作用。该主要研究仪器（MRI）项目由材料研究部（DMR）和刺激竞争研究的既定计划（EPSCoR）共同资助。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。

Non-Technical DescriptionThis Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant supports the acquisition of a transmission electron microscope (TEM) with advanced functionalities, such as high-resolution imaging, cryogenic operation and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The transmission electron microscope is housed within the Imaging Instrumentation Cluster, in the School of Polymer Science and Engineering at the University of Southern Mississippi. The system fills a significant void in the morphological analytical capabilities available to researchers at the University of Southern Mississippi, and across the state of Mississippi - where previously no in-state cryogenic transmission electron microscopy capabilities existed. The instrument is integrated into graduate and undergraduate courses and also used for demonstrations aimed at K-12 students and teachers to enhance their interest in science and engineering. This transmission electron microscope is an integral piece of equipment that allows the School to remain as a leader in soft matter characterization and continues to provide opportunities for collaboration, across multiple institutions (doctoral research, primarily undergraduate institutions, and community colleges), in both Mississippi and the greater Gulf Coast region.Technical DescriptionThe acquired transmission electron microscope (TEM) is configurated with a special emphasis on cryo-TEM suitable for the 3D characterization of soft matter, biological samples, polymers, and nanomaterials, as well as its speed and ease of operation. The multiple advanced functionalities of the microscope accommodate the large and diverse user base present internally, state-wide, and regionally. The instrumentation supports a number of multidisciplinary, cutting-edge research projects at the University of Southern Mississippi and across the state of Mississippi in fields as diverse as materials science, chemistry, ocean science, and biology. Some examples of the research that this instrumentation facilitates includes understanding the assembly and interactions of macromolecules, probing the morphology of polymeric materials, deciphering marine viral ecology, and characterizing the interaction of materials and biological systems.This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) project is jointly funded by the Division of Materials Research (DMR) and the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).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.