MRI: Acquisition of a Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer at Hamline University

哈姆林大学将获得来自主要研究仪器（MRI）项目和化学研究仪器项目的这项奖励，获得一台便携式x射线荧光光谱仪。x射线荧光光谱仪是一种用于测定样品中化学元素的分析工具。因为它是便携式和手持的，它可以用来分析样品离开实验室，例如在教室里，在考古遗址，或在博物馆检查艺术品或文化遗产材料。该仪器将与明尼苏达州立大学曼卡托分校的研究人员和两个非营利组织，明尼苏达历史学会（MHS）和中西部艺术保护中心（MACC）共享。它将用于本科化学课程、教师教育课程和法医学/人类学课程。它还将用于高中课程和小学示范。这种社区外展包括大量少数民族学生。社会效益包括了解和保护文化文物。该建议旨在加强各级的研究和教育，特别是在以下领域：(a)鉴定法医样本、艺术和文化遗产物品的化学成分；(b)描述文物的出处；(c)了解高尔基膜对tau蛋白形成成对螺旋纤维（PHFs）的影响；(d)合成氧化铝纳米颗粒；(e)建立一个可检索的数据库，以便快速可靠地在现场使用犯罪现场常见的材料。

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program and the Chemistry Research Instrumentation Program, Hamline University will acquire a portable X-Ray fluorescence spectrometer. An X-ray fluorescence spectrometer is an analytical tool used to determine the chemical elements in a sample. Because it is portable and hand held, it can be used to analyze samples away from a laboratory, for example in a classroom, at an archeological site, or to examine art objects or cultural heritage materials in museums. The instrument will be shared with researchers at Minnesota State University-Mankato and two non-profit organizations, the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) and the Midwest Art Conservation Center (MACC). It will be used in undergraduate chemistry courses, a teacher education course and a forensics/anthropology course. It will also be used in high school courses and in elementary school demonstrations. This community outreach includes a large minority student population. The societal benefit includes understanding and preserving cultural artifacts. The proposal is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels, especially in areas such as (a) identifying the chemical composition of forensic samples, art and cultural heritage objects; (b) characterizing artifacts for provenience; (c) understanding the influence of the Golgi membrane on the formation of paired-helical fibers (PHFs) from the protein tau; (d) synthesizing aluminum oxide (alumina) nanoparticles; and (e) developing a searchable database for rapid and reliable field use of materials commonly found at crime scenes.