MRI: Acquisition of a Scanning Electron Microscope for Research and Training at Millersville University

该奖项来自主要研究仪器项目，支持米勒斯维尔大学购置一台扫描电子显微镜（SEM）。这一研究工具能够加强该机构的研究和教学能力。米勒斯维尔大学是一所公立本科大学。此外，还有许多利益相关者对使用该文书感兴趣。培养下一代的工程师和科学家，对保持我们在技术和智力资本发展方面的竞争优势，对国家的繁荣至关重要。在各级学术界提供有意义的经验是招聘和留住科学和工程领域有才华的学生的核心。该项目使用SEM将教育和社区外展的各个方面联系起来。该项目与附近的富兰克林和马歇尔学院的教师进行了协调，并得到了当地工业、K-12机构和社区外展团体的支持。通过提供这些设备的使用和帮助，研究人员加强了与当地网络的联系，推进了科学探究和发现，通过商业发展支持了当地经济，为年轻人学习科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）学科开辟了新的途径，并吸引更多的学生在这些领域从事职业。由于缺乏在当地社区的各个层面实施这些活动的途径、强烈的需求和详细的计划，预计整个地区都会深刻地感受到影响，并将导致该地区STEM教育和机会的进步。该奖项授予米勒斯维尔大学（MU），支持获得具有能量色散x射线光谱能力的钨丝SEM，并提供样品分析的关键能力，并支持材料科学，生物学，地质学和化学等领域正在进行的研究项目。具体研究项目包括：(1)新型固态金属泡沫；(2)远离新材料的平衡加工；(3)合成不同形状和大小的纳米颗粒，进行催化性能的比较研究；4)法医和系统植物学。MU将为SEM提供技术支持，以扩大校园研究，并吸引工业合作伙伴。外展和学习活动服务于该地区的22个学区和其他教育中心，以及兰开斯特学区，该学区由87%的少数民族学生组成。计划通过北方科学博物馆和兰开斯特科学工厂开展外展活动。此外，K-12学生的活动还包括在各种与stem相关的竞赛和活动期间参观校园，如科学奥林匹克竞赛和米勒斯维尔制造学生研究会议。该项目还包括通过与宾夕法尼亚州立大学纳米技术教育和利用中心合作，加入远程访问仪器网络，为更广泛的学术界提供服务。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。

This award from the Major Research Instrumentation program supports the acquisition of a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) at Millersville University. This research tool enables activities that strengthen the research and teaching abilities at the institution. Millersville University is a public, primarily undergraduate university. In addition, there are many stakeholders interested in accessing the instrument. Developing the next generation of engineers and scientists is paramount to the prosperity of the nation by maintaining our competitive edge in the development of technology and intellectual capital. Providing meaningful experiences at all levels of academia is central to recruiting and retaining talented students in science and engineering. The project connects various aspects of education and community outreach using the SEM. This project has been coordinated with faculty at nearby Franklin and Marshall College and includes support from local industry, K-12 institutions, and community outreach groups. By offering access to this equipment and providing assistance in using it, the investigators strengthen the ties within this local network, advance scientific inquiry and discovery, support the local economy through business development, develop new pathways for youth to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines, and draw more students to pursue careers in these areas. Because there is a lack of access, a strong demand, and a detailed plan for implementing these activities at various levels within the local community, it is anticipated that the impact will be felt deeply across the region, and it will result in the advancement of STEM education and opportunities in the area. This award to Millersville University (MU)supports the acquisition of tungsten-filament SEM with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy capability and provides critical capability in sample analysis and support on-going research projects in materials science, biology, geology, and chemistry, and more. Specific research projects include research in (1) new solid-state metal foams; (2) far from equilibrium processing of novel materials;(3) synthesis of nanoparticles of different shapes and sizes for comparative studies on catalysis; 4) forensic, and systematic botany. MU will provide technical support for the SEM for the expanding research on campus, as well as attracting industrial partners. Outreach and learning activities serve 22 school districts and other educational centers in the area, and the School District of Lancaster, which is comprised of 87% minority students. Outreach activities are planned through the North Museum of Science and the Lancaster Science Factory. Furthermore, K-12 students activities include campus visit during a variety of STEM-related competitions and events, such as the Science Olympiad and the Made in Millersville student research conference. The project also includes service to the broader academic community by joining the Remote Access Instrumentation Network in partnership with Penn State's Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization.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.