MRI: Acquisition of a High Resolution Electron Probe Micro-Analyzer

非技术：这项研究合同集中在购买一种新的高分辨率电子探针微分析系统，该系统带有集成的电子背向散射衍射探测器。该仪器将是美国和世界上三台仪器中唯一一台能够在亚微米级别同时执行晶体和化学测绘的仪器，并将允许在用户友好的环境中以极高的精度进行痕量元素分析。该仪器将具有地区和国际可访问性，使其成为一种多用途、多机构的最先进设备。这项研究计划汇集了来自7所佛罗里达州立大学(佛罗里达大学、北佛罗里达大学、佛罗里达州立大学、佛罗里达农工大学、中佛罗里达大学、佛罗里达国际大学和南佛罗里达大学)的15名独特的研究人员，他们有一个共同点：需要在亚微米尺度上了解化学和结构之间的联系。这一工具方案在教学、教育和推广方面的中心主题是降低体制障碍。为了实现这一目标，已经开发了一种多管齐下的方法：1)远程访问系统；2)为教师开发K-12教育模块，帮助他们将显微镜纳入课堂课程；3)与NSF REU校园计划建立伙伴关系，让有才华的本科生接触先进的显微镜技术，其中将根据人才进行选择，并侧重于增加妇女和代表性不足群体的多样性；4)继续教育计划；以及5)与2个服务于少数族裔的机构和5个新兴的拉美裔服务机构建立战略伙伴关系，提供肥沃的土壤和接触未被充分代表的群体，以增加拟议教育和外联举措的影响。技术：该电子探针微分析系统在纳米尺度上产生具有高空间分辨率的小光点尺寸。该仪器的独特性可以突出地体现在它在四个关键领域的研究转型中的使用。这些领域包括：1)揭示轻元素结构合金中微结构、化学和微织构之间的基本联系；2)了解金属和氧化物系统中的化学扩散，以发展一个统一的热扩散理论，同时更深入地了解功能氧化物中化学和结构之间的关系；3)在纳米沉淀分散增强系统中绘制相界；以及4)可靠和准确地测量地质材料所需的高光谱分辨率的微量和痕量元素。该仪器产生最大影响的关键功能是能够执行：1)在用户友好的环境中以极高的精度进行痕量元素分析，2)定量绘制轻元素的真实浓度分布和先进的光谱分辨率，以避免轻元素常见的峰重叠，3)精细的微观结构、化学和晶体分析，以及4)通过在线登录远程查看和控制仪器进行研究和教学。

Non-Technical: This research contract centers on the acquisition of a new high-resolution electron probe microanalysis system with an integrated electron backscatter diffraction detector. This instrument will be the only one in the US and only one of three in the world with the capability of performing simultaneous crystallographic and chemical mapping at the sub-micron scale, and will permit trace elemental analysis with superb accuracy in a user-friendly environment. The instrument will have regional and international accessibility making it a multi-use, multi-institutional piece of state-of the-art equipment. This research program brings together a unique set of 15 researchers from 7 Florida state universities (University of Florida, University of North Florida, Florida State University, Florida A&M University, University of Central Florida, Florida International University and University of South Florida) that have one commonality: the need to understand the connection between chemistry and structure at the sub-micron scale. The central theme of this instrumentation program with regards to teaching, education and outreach is lowering institutional barriers. A multi-pronged approach has been developed to execute this objective: 1) a remote access system, 2) K-12 education modules developed for teachers to help them integrate microscopy into their classroom curricula, 3) partnerships with the on-campus NSF REU program to expose talented undergraduates to advanced microscopy techniques, where selection will be based on talent and focused on increasing diversity of women and underrepresented groups, 4) continuing education programs, and 5) strategic partnerships with 2 minority serving institutions and 5 emerging Hispanic serving institutions provide fertile ground and access to underrepresented groups to increase the impact of the proposed education and outreach initiatives. Technical: This electron probe microanalysis system produces a small spot size with high spatial resolution on the nanometer scale. The uniqueness of the instrument can be highlighted in its use in transforming research in 4 critical areas. These areas include: 1) revealing the fundamental connections between microstructure, chemistry and microtexture in light element structural alloys, 2) understanding chemical diffusion in metallic and oxide systems to develop a unified theory for thermal diffusion while gaining deeper insight into the relationship between chemistry and structure in functional oxides, and 3) mapping phase boundaries in nanoprecipitation dispersion strengthened systems, and 4) robust and accurate measurement of minor and trace element with high spectral resolution needed for geological materials. The key features of this instrument that create maximal impact are the ability to perform: 1) trace elemental analysis with superb accuracy in a user-friendly environment, 2) quantitative mapping of light elements to show their true concentration distribution and advanced spectral resolution to avoid peak overlaps that are common with light elements, 3) fine-scale microstructural, chemical and crystallographic analysis, and 4) research and teaching by logging in online to remotely view and control the instrument.