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

非技术说明这项重大研究仪器(MRI)拨款支持购买具有高分辨率成像、低温操作和能量色散X射线光谱分析等高级功能的透射电子显微镜(TEM)。透射式电子显微镜被安置在南密西西比大学聚合物科学与工程学院的成像仪器集群中。该系统填补了南密西西比大学和密西西比州研究人员可用的形态分析能力的一个重大空白--以前密西西比州没有处于状态的低温传输电子显微镜能力。该仪器被整合到研究生和本科课程中，并用于针对K-12学生和教师的演示，以提高他们对科学和工程的兴趣。这款透射式电子显微镜是一台不可或缺的设备，使该学院在软物质表征方面保持领先地位，并继续提供机会，在密西西比州和墨西哥湾沿岸地区的多个机构(博士研究，主要是本科机构和社区学院)之间进行合作。技术说明收购的透射式电子显微镜(TEM)的配置特别强调了适用于软物质、生物样品、聚合物和纳米材料的3D表征的低温透射电子显微镜，以及其速度和操作简便性。显微镜的多种先进功能适应了国内、全州和地区现有的庞大和多样化的用户基础。该仪器支持南密西西比大学和整个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、尖端研究项目。该仪器促进的研究的一些例子包括了解大分子的组装和相互作用，探索聚合物材料的形态，破译海洋病毒生态学，以及表征材料和生物系统的相互作用。这个重大研究仪器(MRI)项目由材料研究部门(DMR)和既定的刺激竞争研究计划(EPSCoR)联合资助。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。

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.