MRI: Acquisition of a scanning electron microscope with EDS, EBSD, and CL for research and teaching in a multi-user facility

1625137卡尔米切尔这项重大研究仪器(MRI)赠款支持购买配备高亮度电子源的扫描电子显微镜、能量色散光谱仪、电子背向散射衍射仪和阴极发光(CL)显微镜，以便能够对固体地球、生物和合成材料进行微尺度纹理和成分成像，以及基于EBSD对晶体择优取向的确定来研究岩石组构。该仪器将取代老化的扫描电子显微镜，其使用寿命即将结束，并将支持阿巴拉契亚州立大学的研究和研究培训，阿巴拉契亚州立大学是一家非博士授予机构。鉴于培训下一代科学工作者的分析方法和科学研究方法的重要性，这种支持与国家科学基金会促进科学进步和促进国家健康、繁荣和福利的使命是一致的。阿巴拉契亚州立大学主要是一所本科院校，调查人员在邀请本科生参与实验室和实地研究方面有着良好的记录。阿巴拉契亚州立大学的许多学生都是第一代大学生。该仪器将支持和促进一系列研究人员和学生的研究，包括微生物在锰矿形成中的作用、大规模灭绝的地球化学、火山灰释放到河流系统的程度、使用冰川颗粒粗糙度作为古气候信号的示踪剂、应用裂变径迹热年代学、温度气压测量和形变机制分析来研究阿巴拉契亚山脉南部的穹顶形成、阿巴拉契亚山脉南部断裂的运动学、植物根发育、火山灰中的流体-矿物反应、陨石分类、超高压系统的变质作用、爱迪生化石组合、爱迪亚克化石组合和变形机制分析气候变化对弗雷泽冷杉的影响，怀孕期间的维管变化，泥炭沼泽的微生物生态，以及各种考古研究。***

1625137CarmichaelThis Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant supports acquisition of a scanning electron microscope equipped with a high brightness electron source, an energy dispersive spectrometer, an electron backscatter diffractometer, and cathodoluminescence (CL) microscope to allow microscale textural and compositional imaging of solid earth, biological and synthetic materials as well as study of rock fabrics based on EBSD determination of crystallographic preferred orientation. The instrument will replace an aging SEM rapidly nearing the end of its serviceable life and will support research and research training Appalachian State University, a non-Ph.D. granting institution. This support is congruent with NSFs mission of promoting the progress of science and advancing the national health, prosperity and welfare given the importance of training the next generation scientific workforce in methods of analysis and scientific research methodologies. Appalachian State University is a primarily undergraduate institution and the investigators have a strong track record of engaging undergraduate students in laboratory and field research. Many of the students at Appalachian State are first-generation college students.The instrument will support and foster a range of investigator and student research including study of the role of microbes in manganese mineral formation, the geochemistry of mass extinctions, the extent of coal ash releases into river systems, the use of glacial grain roughness as a tracer for paleoclimate signals, applications to fission track thermochronology, thermobarometry, and analysis of deformation mechanisms to study dome formation in the Southern Appalachian mountains, the kinematics of faulting in the Southern Appalachians, plant root development, fluid-mineral reactions in volcanic ash, meteorite classification, metamorphism of ultra-high pressure systems, Ediacaran fossil assemblages, the effect of climate change on Fraser firs, vascular changes during pregnancy, the microbial ecology of peat bogs, and a variety of archaeological studies. ***