MRI: Acquisition of Focused Ion Beam-Scanning Electron Microscope for the Multidisciplinary Research and Education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette

该项目的主要目的是促进高度复杂的微观样品的三维重建的多学科研究，这些样品尚未实现，但对于解释与能源材料，石油，地质和生物系统有关的各种类型的标本的表面和形状属性的拓扑结构和几何形状至关重要。该项目将显著改变各种无机和有机化合物的纳米/微观结构和化学组成的研究，并提供否则无法实现的科学见解，并将与其他分析工具集成。该项目还将包括重要的教育和推广活动，包括与当地学校和科学博物馆的合作，多年的本科和研究生研究计划，先进的技术培训和包容性的劳动力发展，为未来的电子显微镜。该项目的目标是（i）研究界面结构对高性能燃料电池电极耐久性的作用，（ii）使人们能够理解固态电池材料，（iii）揭示中孔氧化物中意想不到的催化活性，（iv）探索纳米/微观结构对磁性材料性能的作用，（v）对地质材料，自修复混凝土，和宇宙尘埃，（vi）表征异质非常规资源中复杂的微裂缝传播，（vii）理解在恶劣环境条件下自愈合混凝土的机制，（viii）改进用于处理水力压裂回流水的吸收剂的设计，（ix）分析太阳前颗粒以识别天体物理条件，（x）进行生物多样性，发育，形态，在与钙化珊瑚藻、蕨类孢子和植物器官的微观结构有关的广泛不同领域中的细胞学和生物矿化研究，（Xi）理解成纤维细胞生长因子受体信号传导对星形胶质细胞发育的功能作用，和（xii）解析光合作用蛋白中的微观结构，本项目由CBET-MRI项目和刺激竞争性研究既定计划（EPSCoR）联合资助。该奖项反映了NSF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。

The principal aim of this project is to facilitate multidisciplinary research for three-dimensional reconstructions of highly complex microscopic samples that have not yet been achieved but are crucial for the interpretation of topology and geometry of surface and shape attributes of various types of specimens relating to energy materials, petroleum, geology, and biological systems. The project will significantly transform the study of the nano/microstructure and chemical composition of a wide variety of inorganic and organic compounds and provide scientific insights that would otherwise be unattainable, and will be integrated with other analytical tools. The project will also encompass significant educational and outreach activities, including collaboration with local schools and Science Museum, multi-year undergraduate and graduate research programs, advanced technical training and inclusive workforce development for future electron microscopists. Goals of this project are to (i) investigate the role of interface structures on the durability of high-performance fuel cell electrodes, (ii) enable an understanding of materials for solid-state batteries, (iii) unravel the unexpected catalytic activity in mesoporous oxides, (iv) explore the role of nano/microstructures on the properties of magnetic materials, (v) conduct research on geomaterials, self-healing concrete, and cosmic dust, (vi) characterize complex micro-fracture propagation in heterogeneous unconventional resources, (vii) understanding the mechanisms of self-healing concrete under harsh environmental conditions, (viii) improve the design of absorbents for the treatment of hydraulic fracturing flowback water, (ix) analyze presolar grains to identify astrophysical conditions, (x) conduct biodiversity, developmental, morphological, cytological and biomineralization research in vastly varying fields pertaining to microstructures of calcified coralline algae, fern spores, and plant organs, (xi) understand functional roles of fibroblast growth factor receptors signaling on astrocyte development, and (xii) resolve microstructures in photosynthesis proteins, and in extracellular matrix of tumor cells.This project is jointly funded by CBET-MRI Program and the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).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.