MRI: Acquisition of a multi-user, analytical transmission electron microscope (TEM) for multi-disciplinary research and training

密西西比州立大学的研究广泛涵盖生命和材料科学工程，并依赖于主要位于成像分析技术研究所（I2 AT）的主要研究仪器，该研究所是一所大学支持的集中式设施，旨在推进合成方法并探索行为和对各种刺激的反应的物理学。分析透射电子显微镜（TEM）被配置为服务于不同的教师代表9个部门，5个研究所和4个学院的多学科研究需求，除了当地行业。通过使用共享的主要研究仪器，包括节约成本和促进跨学科协作，获得了显著的效益。该项目的智力价值是增强成像和分析能力，该设备在密歇根州立大学提供，以确保和支持多学科研究计划的增长。研究团队，包括来自不同部门的成员（生物学、昆虫学、林产品、地球科学和兽医科学;航空航天、生物、化学、电气和机械工程）积极参与需要分析TEM的合作努力：提供了急需TEM的代表性研究的概述。生命科学研究依赖于理解疾病的分子机制;可视化组织和细胞的结构;观察单个病毒和大分子复合物在其自然生物环境中。TEM技术对于深入探索正常和患病细胞的结构/功能至关重要，并在预防和干预方案的设计中具有重要的应用。扩展传统的TEM成像与数字化能力，提高分辨率，元素分析技术，确保在MSU的多样的生命科学研究的延续和增强。材料科学与工程研究依赖于理解晶体结构，缺陷特征和元素分布/偏析，这对于理解跨长度尺度的塑性速率控制机制，支持半导体器件的开发以及保护我们的自然资源至关重要。随着这一研究领域在密歇根州立大学的不断扩大，有分析能力的TEM是必要的，以观察和量化晶体材料中的缺陷，映射元素分布和支持建模工作。纳米技术研究依赖于纳米生物技术和纳米力学应用中使用的纳米颗粒（NP）的合成和使用。由于纳米粒子可以增强材料的性能，它们的掺入正在实验研究和用于扩大建模工作。最近颁发的NSF纳米技术本科教育奖突出了密歇根州立大学新兴的纳米技术研究。将合成技术与机械性能相关联需要能够识别核心NPs的元素组成。该项目的更广泛影响是培养下一代科学家进行多学科团队合作，由密歇根州立大学跨学科，部门和学院合作的多元化研究人员组成。学生获得专门的主要研究设备提供了一个“动手”的环境，学习“贸易工具”。I2 AT的开放访问结构包括一个交互式设置，用于查看校园内任何地方和整个K-12教育系统的设备和数据。这些活动通过吸引，培训和留住学术和行业调查人员，使州，地区和国家受益于综合研究，教育和专业发展活动。分析TEM通过免费的研究活动和劳动力发展为密歇根州立大学和当地行业提供好处。成功的研究和教育工作通过学术著作、在国家和国际会议上的发言、网络内容、区域/国家媒体和外联活动广泛传播。

Research at Mississippi State University broadly covers both life and materials science & engineering and relies on major research instrumentation located primarily at the Institute for Imaging & Analytical Technologies (I2AT), a university supported, centralized facility to advance synthesis methods and probe the physics of behavior and response to various stimuli. The analytical transmission electron microscope (TEM) is configured to serve the multi-disciplinary research needs of diverse faculty representing 9 departments, 5 institutes, and 4 colleges, in addition to local industries. Significant benefits are obtained through access to shared major research instrumentation including both cost savings and facilitation of cross cutting collaborations.The Intellectual Merit of this project is the enhanced imaging and analysis capabilities the equipment provides at MSU to ensure and support the growth of multi-disciplinary research programs. Researcher teams, including members from diverse departments (Biology, Entomology, Forest Products, Geosciences and Veterinary Science; Aerospace, Bio, Chemical, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering) are actively engaged in collaborative efforts requiring analytical TEM: An overview of representative research in critical need of the TEM is provided.Life Science Research relies on understanding molecular mechanisms of disease; visualizing the architecture of tissues and cells; and observing individual viruses and macromolecular complexes in their natural biological context. TEM techniques are vital to an in-depth exploration of normal and diseased cell structure/function and have significant application in the design of prevention and intervention protocols. Expanding traditional TEM imaging with digital capabilities, increased resolution, and elemental analysis techniques ensures the continuation and enhancement of diverse life science research at MSU. Materials Science and Engineering Research relies on understanding crystal structure, defect characteristics, and elemental distribution/segregation, which is vital to understand rate controlling mechanisms in plasticity across length scales, support development of semiconductor devices, and protect our natural resources. As this research area continues to expand at MSU, a TEM with analytical capabilities is necessary to observe and quantify defects in crystalline materials, map elemental distributions and support modeling efforts.Nanotechnology Research relies on the synthesis and use of nanoparticles (NPs) used in nanobiotechnology and nanomechanics applications. Because NPs can enhance material properties, their incorporation is being investigated experimentally and used to expand modeling efforts. A recently awarded NSF-Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education Award highlights the emerging nanotechnology research at MSU. Correlating synthesis techniques with mechanical properties requires the ability to identify elemental composition of the core NPs.The broader impact of this project is the training of the next generation of scientists for multi-disciplinary teamwork, by a diverse group of researchers at MSU who collaborate across discipline, department, and college lines. Student access to specialized major research equipment provides a "hands on" environment for learning the "tools of the trade". The open access structure of the I2AT includes an interactive setting for viewing of equipment and data from anywhere on campus and throughout the K-12 educational system. These activities benefit the state, region, and nation by attracting, training and retaining academic and industry investigators in integrated research, education and professional development activities.The analytical TEM provides benefits to MSU as well as local industries through complimentary research activities and workforce development. Successful research and educational efforts are broadly disseminated via scholarly works, presentations at national and international conferences, web content, regional/national media and outreach activities.