MRI: Acquisition of a Variable-Pressure, Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscope for Materials Research and Education

非技术描述：为了支持获得可变压力场发射扫描电子显微镜，该项目使佛蒙特州和纽约北部的研究人员和教育工作者能够在纳米尺度上探索材料。研究项目跨越物理，化学，工程，材料科学和地质学依赖于仪器的分析和表征，确定元素组成和局部晶体结构。远程操作功能允许该地区的教室和博物馆进行现场实验和演示。现代仪器，其广泛的功能，作为一个核心的研究基础设施，为当地大学和行业。技术描述：扫描电子显微镜配有二次电子、五段背散射电子、电子背散射衍射和能量色散光谱探测器。结合可变压力和低压工作模式，这些探测器允许在1.2 nm的空间分辨率下对精细样品进行地形，成分和晶体学表征。该仪器使研究项目能够探索纳米多孔氧化物结构、有机晶体、光电器件、光学滤光片、金属纳米线、地壳过程流变学和矿物风化。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Non-Technical Description:In supporting the acquisition of a variable-pressure, field-emission scanning electron microscope, this project enables researchers and educators in Vermont and northern New York to explore materials at the nanometer scale. Research projects spanning physics, chemistry, engineering, materials science, and geology rely on the instrument for analysis and characterization, identifying elemental composition and local crystal structure. Remote operating capabilities allow classrooms and museums in the region to perform live experiments and demonstrations. The modern instrument, with its wide-ranging capabilities, serves as a core research infrastructure for local universities and industries alike.Technical Description:The scanning electron microscope is equipped with secondary electron, five-segment back-scattered electron, electron backscatter diffraction, and energy dispersive spectroscopy detectors. Combined with variable-pressure and low-voltage operating modes, these detectors allow for topographic, compositional, and crystallographic characterization of delicate samples at spatial resolution of 1.2 nm. The instrument enables research projects exploring nanoporous oxide structures, organic crystals, optoelectronic devices, optical filters, metal nanowires, rheology of crustal processes, and mineral weathering.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.