MRI: Acquisition of micro-computed tomography system for imaging by multiple, inter-disciplinary, users at East Tennessee State University

这项主要研究仪器拨款支持购置微米级成像x射线计算机断层扫描系统（XRCT），该系统将安置在东田纳西州立大学（ETSU）校园内，供当地和区域研究人员及其学生使用。Micro-XRCT可以对固体样品的外部和内部进行无损成像，具有微米尺度的空间分辨率，可以快速定量测量生物和古生物标本、物理样品和文化文物的形态和结构。由于它的非破坏性，它对博物馆标本，文物和稀有样品的研究尤为重要。该仪器将支持对收藏在自然历史博物馆、里斯博物馆、生物科学无脊椎动物和脊椎动物博物馆以及ETSU地球科学骨学收藏的大量文物、标本和化石的研究。总而言之，这些公共收藏包含数十万件使用公共资金策划的物品，但可能很难进入和观看。使用XRCT，可以生成、分析和轻松地与公众分享标本的三维数字图像，同时保存对象以供后代研究。与3D打印技术相结合，这项技术将大大促进该地区的STEM培训，并吸引南阿巴拉契亚地区更广泛的受众。XRCT仪器将被ETSU和该地区的许多研究人员使用，然而，它将被ETSU的三个部门大量使用。在生物科学领域，它将用于生物标本的高分辨率三维成像，以揭示生物体的形式和功能、发育过程和进化之间的联系。在古生物学卓越中心，它将用于现代和化石脊椎动物的高分辨率3d成像，以探索现代和化石脊椎动物的生长、发育、形态和病理，并作为ETSU自然历史博物馆和灰色化石遗址大规模数字化工作的一部分，灰色化石遗址是世界上首屈一指的新生代哺乳动物化石档案之一。该仪器还将支持里斯博物馆文物的三维重建，以研究形式和功能，并增加展览和教育机会。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 Major Research Instrumentation grant supports the acquisition of micron scale imaging X-ray Computed Tomography system (XRCT), to be housed on the campus of East Tennessee State University (ETSU) for the use of local and regional researchers and their students. Micro-XRCT allows for non-destructive imaging of the exteriors and interiors of solid sample with micron scale spatial resolution allowing for rapid and quantitative measurement of the morphology and structure of biological and paleontological specimens, physical samples, and cultural artifacts. It is particularly critical for study of museum specimens, artifacts, and rare samples owing to its non-destructive nature. The instrument will support research on an extensive collection of cultural artifacts, specimens, and fossils housed at the Museum of Natural History, Reece Museum, Biological Sciences invertebrate and vertebrate museums, and Geosciences osteological collections at ETSU. All told these public collections contain hundreds of thousands of objects that are curated using public funds but may be hard to access and view. Using XRCT, 3-D digital images of specimens can be generated, analyzed, and easily shared with the public, all while preserving the object for future generations to study. Combined with 3D printing, this technology will significantly boost STEM training in the region and engage a wider audience across Southern Appalachia. The XRCT instrument will be used many researchers across ETSU and the region, however, it will receive heavy use from three departments at ETSU. In Biological Sciences it will be used for high resolution, 3-D imaging of biological specimens to reveal links between form and function, developmental processes, and evolution of organisms. In the Center of Excellence in Paleontology it will be used for high resolution, 3-D imaging of modern and fossil vertebrates to explore growth, development, morphology and pathologies of modern and fossil vertebrates and as part of large-scale digitization efforts at the ETSU Museum of Natural History and Gray Fossil Site, one of the world's premier archives of Cenozoic mammal fossils. The instrument will also support 3-D reconstruction of cultural artifacts at the Reece Museum for research on form and function and to enhance exhibitions and education opportunities.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.