New Scanning Electron Microscope at the American Museum of Natural History

美国自然历史博物馆的科学工作人员需要一台扫描电子显微镜(SEM)来取代经常无法操作且不能满足研究人员所有需求的旧型号。该仪器在一年中的大部分时间里一直在使用，通常提前一个月预订。这种备份源于大量使用和需要频繁维修。新仪器将提供更高的图像分辨率；能够研究更多种类的标本；提高图像质量；以及更多种类的摄影和电子记录技术。新仪器还将使研究人员能够研究和识别他们检查的标本中的化学分布，使他们更深入地了解这些标本的性质。为新仪器计划了许多项目，包括研究巨型阿米巴虫(有孔虫)的共生体；菊石、苔藓动物(苔藓虫)、残骸、真菌蚊子、老鼠、大鼠和白蚁的系统学；鱼牙；活鲨鱼和鲨鱼化石；微型蜘蛛；以及玉石和石棉矿物学。

The scientific staff of the American Museum of Natural History needs a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to replace an older model which is frequently inoperative and does not meet all the needs of the researchers. The instrument is in constant use during most of the year and is usually booked one month in advance. This back-up stems from heavy usage and the need for frequent repair. The new instrument will provide improved image resolution; the ability to study a greater variety of specimens; enhanced picture quality; and a greater variety of photographic and electronic recording techniques. The new instrument will also give researchers the ability to study and identify chemical distributions in the specimens they examine, giving them deeper understanding of the nature of those specimens. Many projects are planned for the new instrument including studies of the symbionts of giant amoebae (foraminifera); systematics of ammonites, moss animals (bryozoa), pomace fies, fungus gnats, mice, rats, and termites; fish dentines; living and fossil sharks; tiny spiders; and jade and asbestos mineralogy.