EA: Upgrade of the X-ray tomographic microscope to expand operations at the University of Missouri X-ray Microanalysis Laboratory

密苏里大学(MU)X射线显微分析实验室是由教职员工Pi Selly和Co-Pi Schiffbauer运营的分析和科学成像设备。虽然能够分析一系列样本，但该设施专门为古生物样本成像。PI团队由来自慕尼黑大学校园的五名古生物学专家教职员工组成。他们的研究涵盖了广泛的主题，从研究鳄鱼的进化史到研究前寒武纪的管虫。该设施中的主要仪器之一是蔡司XRadia 510 Versa X射线断层扫描显微镜(Micro-CT)，该显微镜将升级到功能更强大的610型号，该型号包括一个平板扩展探测器系统、两个新的光学物镜和一个更高功率的X射线源。此次升级将使该实验室能够通过容纳更大、更密集的样本、显著提高成像速度和改善更大的样本分辨率大小，更好地服务于地球科学研究人员和其他STEM学科的研究人员的需求。此外，这些改进将为参观者和学生提供更吸引人的动手体验。这种升级直接受益的项目包括：双边身体计划的起源；最早寒武纪小壳化石记录中的选择性保存偏向；软组织运动和颅骨系统的增强扫描的进化；肌肉骨骼系统的进化；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。

The University of Missouri's (MU) X-ray Microanalysis Laboratory is an analytical and scientific imaging facility run by faculty members PI Selly and Co-PI Schiffbauer. While capable of analyzing an array of samples, the facility specializes in imaging paleontological specimens. The PI team consists of five expert paleontology faculty members from across MU's campus. Their research encompasses a wide range of topics, from studying the evolutionary history of crocodiles to investigating Precambrian tube worms. One of the primary instruments in the facility is the Zeiss Xradia 510 Versa X-ray tomographic microscope (micro-CT), which will be upgraded to the more capable 610 model, which includes a flat panel extension detector system, two new optical objectives, and a higher-power X-ray source. This upgrade will allow the lab to better serve the needs of Earth science researchers and those in other STEM disciplines by accommodating larger and denser samples, dramatically enhancing imaging speeds, and improving larger sample resolution size. Moreover, these improvements will offer a more engaging and hands-on experience for visitors and students. Rather than simply dropping off samples and receiving the data later, imaging can now be completed in significantly reduced timeframes, thereby enabling rapid and achievable opportunities in classroom and workshop settings.The projects that will directly benefit from this upgrade include novel investigations into: the origins of the bilaterian body plan; selective preservation bias in the smally shelly fossil record of the earliest Cambrian Period; the evolution of soft-tissue locomotory and craniodental systems using contrast-enhanced scanning; the evolution of musculoskeletal systems; and soft-tissue degradation and feature loss during decay.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.