MRI: Acquisition of a Scanning Electron Microscope with EDS and EBSD Capabilities to Enhance Teaching and Research at Indiana University of Pennsylvania

为加强宾夕法尼亚印第安纳大学的教学和研究购置了一台带有EDS的扫描电子显微镜扫描电子显微镜(SEM)可以为微小物体生成详细的图像。SEMS可以对生物和地质样品以及人造物品(现代和历史)进行成像。配上另一台仪器(能量色散光谱仪--EDS)，它就可以测定化学成分。这笔赠款将为宾夕法尼亚印第安纳大学购买带有EDS的扫描电子显微镜。SEM-EDS系统将成为该地区所有大学和当地行业的教职员工和学生的重要工具。新仪器将增强宾夕法尼亚州西部服务不足地区的研究和教育能力。扫描电子显微镜将用于科学研究，并作为许多科学和技术领域的本科生和研究生的培训工具。扫描电子显微镜(SEMS)具有纳米到毫米尺度的物体成像能力，是进行微观特征科学研究的标准工具。电子散射谱(EDS)的加入允许收集半定量的成分数据和元素图谱。这笔赠款将为宾夕法尼亚印第安纳大学(IUP)购买带有牛津EDS系统的研究级热科学棱镜E SEM，以及一些辅助设备，这将对IUP和周围地区产生变革，立即提高活跃学者及其主要是本科生的研究生产率。SEM-EDS系统将适用于该地区所有大学和当地行业的教职员工和学生，从而产生地区效应，提高整个宾夕法尼亚州西部的研究能力和生产率。这笔资助包括来自人类学、生物学、化学、地球科学和历史系的高级研究人员和他们的学生，他们将在广泛的研究主题中使用SEM-EDS，包括：1)量化火山沉积(盖夫拉、熔岩和辉绿岩岩床)中的结晶和实验室结晶实验，2)表征半导体材料中的固态矿物化学和结晶学，3)确定硅藻分类以确定淡水和海洋系统中二氧化硅和碳循环的时间变异性，4)分析罗马陶瓷以调查(史前)贸易联系，5)分析灭绝的(化石)和活的脊椎动物中的牙齿-牙齿和食物的相互作用，6)表征考古遗址发现的树木、木材和坚果的灰烬形态，以关联植被对气候变化的响应；7)分析细粒气溶胶(2.5微米)以检查空气质量；8)研究快速构造折返。收购SEM-EDS将通过促进校园内、跨校园以及与行业和非营利性合作伙伴的新合作，立即改善区域研究环境。该仪器还将被用作本科生和研究生学习现代、最先进的分析技术的培训平台，用于各种科学和技术学科。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Acquisition of a Scanning Electron Microscope with EDS to Enhance Teaching and Research at Indiana University of PennsylvaniaScanning Electron Microscopes (SEMs) create detailed images of tiny objects. SEMs can image biological and geological samples and man-made items (modern and historical). With another instrument (Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy-EDS) attached it can determine chemical compositions. This grant will purchase an SEM with EDS for Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The SEM-EDS system will be an important tool for faculty and students at all universities and local industries in the region. The new instrument will enhance research and education capabilities in an underserved area of western Pennsylvania. The SEM-EDS will be used in scientific research and as a training tool for undergraduate and graduate students in a many science and technology fields.With the ability to image objects at nanometer to millimeter scale, Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEMs) are the standard tool for scientific research of microscopic features. The addition of Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) allows for collection of semi-quantitative compositional data and elemental mapping. This grant will purchase a research-grade ThermoScientific Prisma E SEM with an Oxford EDS system, along with some ancillary equipment, for Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), which will be transformative to IUP and the surrounding region, immediately elevating research productivity of active scholars and their predominantly undergraduate trainees. The SEM-EDS system will be available for faculty and students at all universities in the region and to local industries, creating a regional effect, increasing research capabilities and productivity throughout western Pennsylvania. This grant includes senior investigators and their students from departments of Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Geoscience, and History who will use the SEM-EDS in a wide range of research topics, including: 1) quantifying crystallization within volcanic deposits (tephra, lava, and diabase sills) and lab crystallization experiments, 2) characterizing solid-state mineral chemistry and crystallography in semiconductor materials, 3) identifying diatom taxonomy to determine temporal variability of the silica and carbon cycles in both freshwater and marine systems, 4) analyzing Roman ceramics to investigate (pre)historic trade connections, 5) analyzing tooth-tooth interaction and tooth-food interaction in extinct (fossils) and living vertebrates, 6) characterizing ash morphologies from tree wood and nuts found at archaeological sites to correlate vegetation response to changing climate, 7) analysis of fine-grained aerosols (2.5um) to examine air-quality, and 8) studying rapid tectonic exhumation. The acquisition of the SEM-EDS will immediately enhance the regional research environment by promoting new collaborations on campus, across campuses, and with industry and non-profit partners. The instrument will also be used as a training platform for undergraduate and graduate students to learn modern, state-of-the-art analytical techniques used in a large variety of science and technology disciplines.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.