FSML: Acquisition of a Raman Microscope at the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography

该项目是购买和安装共焦拉曼显微镜（CRM）在格鲁吉亚的斯基达韦海洋学研究所（SkIO）的大学。海洋科学中的许多研究问题涉及对小颗粒和生物体的研究。目前研究小样本的大多数方法需要将大量单个颗粒分组在一起，以获得足够的材料进行分析。混合样品可能会掩盖其中颗粒组成和结构多样性的关键细节。CRM可以获得尺寸小于一微米的单个颗粒的化学成分数据，并且可以自动绘制更大尺度上的样品成分。对有机和无机化学结构成像的能力可直接应用于海洋微生物学、化学、生态学和地质学领域。东南沿海实验室的CRM的存在将使区域科学家能够解决海洋科学中的新研究问题。新的分析能力将直接改善75%的SkIO？除了来自美国东南部及其他地区的外部合作科学家外，此外，CRM的高度可视化输出将使教育工作者、公民科学家和公众更好地了解SkIO和访问科学家进行的研究。该提案寻求资金购买Horiba Jobin Yvon XploRA PLUS共焦拉曼显微镜，配备532 nm和785 nm激光器，电动和软件控制的XYZ样品台，集成安全防护罩，以及相关的自动聚焦、校准、粒子绘图、化学识别和统计分析软件和不间断电源。所要求的仪器将增加显着的，高分辨率的成像和光谱能力，现有的粒子计数和图像分析设施在美国东南部沿海，以及协同与现有的微量元素，稳定同位素，和传统的光学显微镜设施位于格鲁吉亚斯基德韦大学海洋研究所（SkIO）。拟议的仪器将允许亚微米化学表征，颗粒绘图和量化来自广泛项目的复杂样品，并填补该区域的分析和科学空白。所要求的仪器将允许对地方和区域海洋研究若干关键领域现有和未来项目的样本进行现场低成本分析。它还将为SkIO的几个已建立的，合作的和即将到来的项目提供教育机会，其中许多项目针对代表性不足的群体。最后，它将提供非常直观的数据，这对教育和外联工作非常宝贵。有关SkIO的更多信息，请访问他们的网站https://www.skio.uga.edu/.This奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为值得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的支持。

This project is to purchase and install a confocal Raman microscope (CRM) at the University of Georgia's Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (SkIO). Many of the research problems in marine science involve the study of small particles and organisms. Most current methods for studying small samples require grouping large numbers of individual particles together to obtain enough material for analysis. Pooling samples can obscure critical details of the diversity of particle composition and structure within them. The CRM can obtain chemical compositional data for individual particles smaller than a micron in size, and it can automatically map sample composition over much larger scales in fine detail. The capacity to image both organic and inorganic chemical structure has direct application to the fields of marine microbiology, chemistry, ecology and geology. The presence of a CRM at a southeastern coastal laboratory will allow regional scientists to address new research questions in ocean science. The new analytical capabilities will directly improve the funded activities of 75% of SkIO?s faculty in addition to external, collaborating scientists from the southeastern US and beyond. Additionally, the highly visual output of the CRM will allow educators, citizen-scientists, and the public to better understand the research conducted at SkIO and by visiting scientists.This proposal seeks funds for the acquisition of a Horiba Jobin Yvon XploRA PLUS Confocal Raman microscope, equipped with 532 nm and 785 nm lasers, motorized and software-controlled XYZ sample stage, an integrated safety shield, and associated autofocus, calibration, particle mapping, chemical identification and statistical analysis software and uninterruptible power supply. The requested instrument will add significant, high-resolution imaging and spectroscopic capability to an existing particle counting and image analysis facility in the coastal Southeastern US, as well as be synergistic with existing trace element, stable isotope, and conventional light microscopy facilities located at the University of Georgia Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (SkIO). The proposed instrument will allow sub-micron chemical characterization, particle mapping, and quantification of complex samples from a wide array of projects and fill an analytical and scientific gap in the region. The requested instrument will allow on-location, low-cost analysis of samples from existing and future projects in several critical areas of marine research, both local and regional. It also will enhance educational opportunities for several established, collaborative, and upcoming programs at SkIO, many of which target under-represented groups. Finally, it will provide highly visual data which is invaluable for educational and outreach efforts. For more information about SkIO, please visit their website at https://www.skio.uga.edu/.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.