EA: Acquisition of an X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer for Research, Undergraduate Education, and STEM Outreach

该地球科学仪器和设施奖支持为加州州立大学贝克斯菲尔德分校（CSUB）采购波长色散x射线荧光光谱仪（dd - xrf），该大学是100英里半径内唯一的综合性大学，也是指定的西班牙裔服务机构。新的WD-XRF分析系统，具有广谱的轻元素和重元素，从痕量到高浓度水平，评估复杂的基质材料。这台新仪器的获得将增强CSUB不同学科的研究能力，包括地质学、工程学、环境研究、物理学和农业。它在提高少数民族学生的入学率和保留率、提高教育成就以及培养科学、技术、工程和数学领域的研究技能方面发挥着不可或缺的作用。该工具还有助于社区外展工作，包括高中双学分计划。新的WD-XRF系统是一种全自动台式XRF，具有12个样品转换器和样品旋转能力，学生只需最少的培训即可使用。它消除了对冷却水的需求，降低了维护和拥有成本。与能量色散XRF光谱仪相比，它具有更高的灵敏度和光谱分辨率，可以与更大的WD-XRF系统相媲美。它的引入将带来先进的技术能力，导致在包括矿山尾矿升级回收、聚合物复合材料、农业废物衍生的能源和资源回收催化剂、古海洋学和古气候等领域的研究进展。除了其技术能力之外，该仪器还将为CSUB的新研究方向铺平道路，鼓励来自不同部门的教师之间的合作项目，并促进与其他机构的研究人员的伙伴关系。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 Earth Sciences Instrumentation and Facilities award supports the procurement of a Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (WD-XRF) for California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB), the sole comprehensive university within a 100-mile radius and a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. The new WD-XRF, an analytical system, assesses complex matrix materials with a broad spectrum of light and heavy elements, ranging from trace to high concentration levels. The acquisition of this new instrument will enhance research capabilities across diverse disciplines at CSUB, including Geology, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Physics, and Agriculture. It plays an integral role in initiatives aimed at boosting minority student enrollment and retention, elevating educational achievements, and fostering research skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields. The instrument also contributes to community outreach efforts, including the high school dual credit program.The new WD-XRF system is one fully automated benchtop XRF, featuring a 12-sample changer and sample spin capability for student use with minimal training. It eliminates the need for cooling water, reducing maintenance and ownership costs. With superior sensitivity and spectral resolution compared to Energy Dispersive XRF spectrometers, it rivals larger WD-XRF systems. Its introduction to CSUB will bring advanced technological capabilities, leading to research advancements in areas including upcycling of mine tailings, polymeric composite materials, agricultural-waste-derived catalysts for energy and resource recovery, paleoceanography, and paleoclimate. Beyond its technical capabilities, the instrument will pave the way for new research directions at CSUB, encouraging collaborative projects among faculty from different departments and facilitating partnerships with researchers from other institutions.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.