Acquisition of a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope

得克萨斯A&A&M大学的Andreas Holzenburg博士(PI)和Richard Crooks博士(Co-PI)获得了一项拨款，以获得一台最先进的场发射扫描电子显微镜(FE-SEM)，该显微镜配备了电子背散射衍射(EBSD)、阴极发光(CL)、能量色散分析(EDS)和拉伸/加热阶段测试，此外还有更标准的二次电子(SE)和背散射电子(BSE)成像。建议中规定的显微镜将允许使用BSE、SE和CL进行高分辨率成像、元素微量分析、定向对比度成像和自动定向分析。拉伸加热/冷却阶段将允许在拉伸或压缩实验期间成像，加热功能可达到1200℃。显微镜的另一个优点是探测器和阶段的几何布置，使CL、EDS、EBSD和拉伸/加热阶段测试能够在各种同时应用中进行。该仪器还将支持需要对未加密的生物标本进行成像的项目。因此，它独一无二地支持工程学以及生物、化学、地质和物理科学方面的各种不同和跨学科的研究活动。上述仪器的成像和分析能力将加强以下领域的具体研究项目：新型化学传感器和催化材料的开发；半导体、高温超导体；微型机电系统；聚合物系统中的形态和成分分布；土壤形态；近地表地质系统和危险废物场地中的污染物；流体在岩石变形中的作用；地震风险的评估；储集砂的蠕变压实；岩浆的起源；地壳和地幔的流变学；先进材料的机械性能-微结构关系；以及磷脂双层和膜整体蛋白；生物标本的表面形貌。选择精确的配置是为了有效地支持德克萨斯农工大学(学院站)校园内以及该地区(拉马尔大学、萨姆·休斯顿州立大学和美国农业部普莱里维尤农工大学)现有的跨学科研究和培训需求。该文书还将加强针对本科生和研究生的教育活动。德克萨斯农工大学和其他地区性大学(主要包括本科院校)的研究活动与教学密切相关，FE-SEM将用于课程作业以及促进学生的研究。此外，通过基于网络的活动，正在进行的教育推广活动为K-12学生提供了获得这些技术的机会。

A grant has been awarded to Dr. Andreas Holzenburg (PI) and Dr. Richard Crooks (Co-PI) at Texas A&M University to acquire a state-of-the-art field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) equipped for electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), cathodoluminescence (CL), energy dispersive analysis (EDS), and tensile/heating stage testing, in addition to the more standard secondary electron (SE) and backscattered electron (BSE) imaging. The microscope as specified in the proposal will allow high resolution imaging using BSE, SE and CL, elemental microanalysis, orientation contrast imaging and automatic orientation analysis. The tensile heating/cooling stage will allow imaging during experiments in tension or compression, with heating functions to 1200 C. Another strength of the microscope is the geometric arrangement of the detectors and stage enabling CL, EDS, EBSD and tensile/heating stage testing in various simultaneous applications. The instrument will also support projects requiring imaging of uncotaed biological specimens. It therefore lends itself to uniquely support a wide range of diverse and interdisciplinary research activities in engineering as well as the biological, chemical, geological and physical sciences. The imaging and analytical capabilities of the instrument as described above will enhance specific research projects in a number of areas including the following: development of novel chemical sensors and catalyst materials; semiconductors, high-temperature superconductors; micro-electromechanical systems; morphology and composition distribution in polymer systems; soil morphology; contaminants in near-surface geologic systems and hazardous waste sites; roles of fluids in rock deformation; evaluation of earthquake risks; creep compaction of reservoir sands; origin of magma; rheology of the Earth's crust and mantle; mechanical property-microstructure relationship of advanced materials; and phospholipid bilayers and integral membrane proteins; surface topography of biological specimens.The exact configuration was chosen to effectively underpin interdisciplinary research and training needs existing on campus at Texas A&M University (College Station) as well as within the region (Lamar University, Sam Houston Sate University and Prairie View A&M University, USDA). The instrument will also enhance educational activities directed towards undergraduate and graduate studies. Research activities at Texas A&M and other regional universities (including primarily undergraduate institutions) are intimately linked with teaching, and the FE-SEM will be used within coursework as well as to advance student research. Furthermore, ongoing educational outreach, through web-based activities, provides access to these technologies to K-12 students.