Upgrade to the scanning electron microscopy facility at the University of Nothern British Columbia

我们寻求资金，以升级扫描电子显微镜（SEM）设施在北方不列颠哥伦比亚省的大学。 该设施对土壤科学、真菌学、环境科学与工程、地貌学和湖沼学领域的常驻和访问教师的研究计划至关重要。 由于在900公里半径范围内缺乏类似的基础设施，因此该设施的持续运行对于通过NSERC发现计划资助的个人和合作研究至关重要。SEM设备于1995年启动，包括Philips XLS 30显微镜、溅射镀膜机和临界点干燥机。 虽然显微镜是可操作的，但运行显微镜的计算机由于过时的操作系统和图形显示控制器而过时。我们申请资金购买一台专门设计用于运行Philips XLS 30显微镜的工作站。 升级后的设备可以快速可靠地建立所需的真空条件，更好地控制显微镜透镜，并通过USB端口更快地传输数据。 该工作站将提高数据收集的效率，并改善高素质人员和研究人员的培训机会。SEM设施的持续运行与UNBC中央设备实验室的其他仪器产生协同作用，以产生关键信息，推动土壤形成，过去气候重建，湖沼学，环境修复，矿山复垦和其他相关主题的研究。

We seek funds to upgrade the scanning electron microscope (SEM) facility at the University of Northern British Columbia. The facility is critical to the research programs of resident and visiting faculty members in the fields of soil science, mycology, environmental science and engineering, geomorphology and limnology. The absence of similar infrastructure within a 900-km radius makes the continued operation of this facility paramount to individual and collaborative research funded through the NSERC Discovery Program. Initiated in 1995, the SEM facility comprises a Philips XLS 30 microscope, sputter coater and critical point dryer. Although the microscope is operational, the computer that runs the microscope is obsolete due to an outdated operating system and graphical display controllers. We request funds to purchase a workstation that is specifically designed to run the Philips XLS 30 microscope. The upgraded facility can quickly and reliably establish the required vacuum conditions with better control of the microscope lens and faster transfer of data through a USB port. The workstation will increase efficiency of data collection and improve training opportunities for highly qualified personnel and researchers. The continued operation of the SEM facility creates synergy with other instruments at the Central Equipment Laboratory at UNBC to generate critical information that advances research in soil formation, reconstruction of past climate, limnology, environmental remediation, mine reclamation and other related topics.