MRI: Acquisition of a Hitachi S-3400N-II Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscope with an Analytical Quantitative Element Detector for the University of Hawaii at Hilo

University Of Hawaii At Hilo, Hilo HI

Investigators

Abstract

The PI requests MRI RAPID funding to Acquire a Hitachi S-3400N-II Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscope with an Analytical Quantitative Element Detector. This instrument will support a wide range of faculty and student research projects, including analysis of volcanic material ejected from the currently erupting volcano; analysis of locally-collected plankton, micro-molluscs, and botanical samples; sediment cores showing evidence of paleo-tsunami activity; analysis of Native Hawaiian artifacts in use-wear studies; and chemical / structural analysis of pharmaceutical crystal characteristics using SEM/EDS technology. Broader Impacts The equipment will enhance a new graduate program, several science programs and over twenty courses at the university. It will provide unique learning opportunities at the only 4 year college on the Big Island of Hawaii, a population base of great ethnic diversity. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory collaboration should be fruitful and opportunities for pre-college students are described. The multi-ethnic nature of the population of students (and everyone really on Hawaii) is clearly demonstrated, so NSF support would enhance the utilization of tax payer funds to under-served portion of the US population. And an SEM is an instrument which easily lends itself to outreach to high school and broad community application/ appreciation as "(microscopic) pictures are worth 1000s of words"