MRI: Acquisition of a Scanning Electron Microscope for Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research and Training

该奖项由主要研究仪器项目和化学研究仪器项目共同支持。威斯康星大学河瀑布分校正在获取一台具有低真空能力、能量色散X射线光谱以及二次电子、背散射电子和阴极发光探测器的扫描电子显微镜(SEM)，以支持Samuel Alvarado及其同事Lowell McCann、Timothy Lyden和Kevin Thaisen的研究。该仪器促进了化学、生物技术、生物学、植物和地球科学以及物理学等领域的研究。通常，扫描电子显微镜被用来成像和理解纳米和介观尺度上的化学现象。这种显微镜使用聚焦的电子束，电子束在表面上扫描产生图像，然后产生信号，揭示样品的成分和拓扑信息。这一工具加强了各级学生的教育、研究和教学努力。这次授予扫描电子显微镜高分辨率成像和分析能力的奖项旨在加强研究和教育，特别是在化学、生物和物理科学领域。化学方面的研究主要集中在利用电子束曝光法对聚合物量子点复合材料进行表征，以制备和测试光伏和发光器件，以及研究球磨有机反应的结晶副产物。还对在城市环境中收集的微陨石进行了检查。生物系统也将在研究中，特别是在骨骼肌和基质细胞发育领域，以更好地了解健康细胞和功能失调的细胞生物学。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This award is jointly supported by the Major Research Instrumentation and the Chemistry Research Instrumentation programs. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls is acquiring a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with low-vacuum capability, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, as well as secondary electron, backscattered electron, and cathodoluminescence detectors to support the research of Samuel Alvarado and colleagues Lowell McCann, Timothy Lyden and Kevin Thaisen. This instrument facilitates research in the areas of chemistry, biotechnology, biology, plant and earth science, and physics. In general, scanning electron microscopy is used to image and understand chemical phenomena at the nano and mesoscales. This microscope uses a focused electron beam, which is scanned over a surface to generate an image and subsequently produces signals that reveal information about the composition and topology of a sample. This instrument enhances the educational, research, and teaching efforts of students at all levels. This award of a scanning electron microscope for high resolution imaging and analysis capabilities is aimed at enhancing research and education, especially in the areas of chemical, biological, and physical sciences. Research in chemistry focuses on characterizing polymer quantum dot composite materials for fabricating and testing photovoltaic and luminescent devices with electron-beam lithography and investigating crystalline byproducts from ball milling organic reactions. Examination of micrometeorites collected in urban settings are also performed. Biological systems will also be under study, particularly in the area of skeletal muscle and stromal cell development to better understand healthy cell and dysfunctional cell biology.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.