Use of a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with an Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Analysis System in Earth Science and Biology

在这项提案中，我们通过寻找一种带有能量色散X射线(EDX)分析系统的二手研究级扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和相关的样品制备设备来满足对现代主要仪器的需求。扫描电子显微镜将被用来显著改善地球科学和生物学专业的实验室教学，并扩大学生的研究机会。地球科学和生物学的另一个共同目标是让入门学生接触一种复杂的技术，使他们能够以入门课程中常见的规模调查地质和生物材料。预计这将激发他们的兴趣，并有助于激发他们对科学的兴趣。扫描电子显微镜的高倍率、出色的分辨率和EDX功能将使我们能够将以研究为基础的调查融入到广泛的高级课程中。在地球科学中，学生将能够处理细粒地质样品的矿物学和结构(矿物学、岩石学、沉积地层学和土壤)，并表征微化石和颗粒的形态和表面(古生物学和地球化学)。EDX系统将允许对矿物(矿物学和岩石学)进行现场化学分析。有了研究这些小尺度特征的能力，学生将更好地了解地质材料的结构和成分特征，并在解释重要的地质过程时提高解决问题的技能。在生物学中，学生将能够在植物解剖学和生理学课程中学习细胞水平的植物组织形态，这将作为有机和亚细胞水平研究的一部分而具有重要的应用价值。这为两种截然不同的生物工作提供了一座重要的桥梁。在地球科学和生物学中，使用扫描电子显微镜将通过允许学生第一手调查重要概念来提高他们对重要概念的理解。同样重要的是，研究人员将对参与重大的独立研究更感兴趣(也更有准备)。

In this proposal, we address a need for modern, major instrumentation by seeking a used research grade scanning electron microscope (SEM) with an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis system and related sample preparation equipment. The SEM will be used to significantly improve laboratory instruction in the Earth Science and Biology programs, and to expand opportunities for student research. Another common goal in Earth Science and Biology is to expose introductory students to a sophisticated technique that will allow them to investigate geological and biological materials at a scale not commonly available in introductory courses. This is expected to capture their interest, and help excite them about the sciences. The high magnification, excellent resolution, and EDX capabilities of the SEM will allow us to incorporate research-based investigations into a wide range of upper-level courses. In Earth Science, students will be able to deal with the mineralogy and textures of fine-grained geological samples (mineralogy, petrology, sedimentation-stratigraphy, and soils), and characterize the morphology and surfaces of microfossils and grains (paleontology and geochemistry). The EDX system will allow in-situ chemical analysis of minerals (mineralogy and petrology). With the ability to study these small-scale features, students will better understand textural and compositional characteristics of geological materials, and improve their problem solving skills as they interpret important geologic processes. In Biology, students will be able to study plant tissue morphology at the cellular level in plant anatomy and physiology courses, which will have important applications as part of studies at both the organismal and sub-cellular levels. This provides an important bridge between two rather different levels of biological work. In Earth Science and Biology, use of the SEM will improve students' understanding of important concepts by allowing them to investigate them first-hand. Of equal importance, stud ents will be more excited about (and better prepared for) becoming involved in significant independent research.