EA: Acquisition of an X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer for Research, Undergraduate Education, and STEM Outreach

该地球科学仪器和设施奖支持加州州立大学，贝克斯菲尔德（CSCW），在100英里半径内唯一的综合性大学和指定的西班牙裔服务机构的波长色散X射线荧光光谱仪（WD-XRF）的采购。新的WD-XRF分析系统可评估具有宽光谱的轻元素和重元素的复杂基体材料，范围从痕量到高浓度水平。这一新仪器的收购将提高CCED跨学科的研究能力，包括地质学，工程学，环境研究，物理学和农业。它在旨在提高少数民族学生入学率和保留率，提升教育成就，培养科学，技术，工程和数学领域的研究技能的举措中发挥着不可或缺的作用。该仪器还有助于社区推广工作，包括高中双学分计划。新的WD-XRF系统是一个全自动的台式XRF，具有12个样品转换器和样品旋转功能，只需最少的培训即可供学生使用。它消除了对冷却水的需求，降低了维护和拥有成本。与能量色散XRF光谱仪相比，它具有上级的灵敏度和光谱分辨率，可与更大的WD-XRF系统相媲美。它的引入将带来先进的技术能力，导致研究领域的进步，包括尾矿的升级循环，聚合物复合材料，用于能源和资源回收的农业废物衍生催化剂，古海洋学和古气候。除了其技术能力，该仪器将铺平道路的新的研究方向，在CCENTRAL，鼓励来自不同部门的教师之间的合作项目，并促进与其他机构的研究人员的伙伴关系。这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得的支持，通过评估使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准。

This Earth Sciences Instrumentation and Facilities award supports the procurement of a Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (WD-XRF) for California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB), the sole comprehensive university within a 100-mile radius and a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. The new WD-XRF, an analytical system, assesses complex matrix materials with a broad spectrum of light and heavy elements, ranging from trace to high concentration levels. The acquisition of this new instrument will enhance research capabilities across diverse disciplines at CSUB, including Geology, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Physics, and Agriculture. It plays an integral role in initiatives aimed at boosting minority student enrollment and retention, elevating educational achievements, and fostering research skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields. The instrument also contributes to community outreach efforts, including the high school dual credit program.The new WD-XRF system is one fully automated benchtop XRF, featuring a 12-sample changer and sample spin capability for student use with minimal training. It eliminates the need for cooling water, reducing maintenance and ownership costs. With superior sensitivity and spectral resolution compared to Energy Dispersive XRF spectrometers, it rivals larger WD-XRF systems. Its introduction to CSUB will bring advanced technological capabilities, leading to research advancements in areas including upcycling of mine tailings, polymeric composite materials, agricultural-waste-derived catalysts for energy and resource recovery, paleoceanography, and paleoclimate. Beyond its technical capabilities, the instrument will pave the way for new research directions at CSUB, encouraging collaborative projects among faculty from different departments and facilitating partnerships with researchers from other institutions.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.