This award, made through the Major Research Instrumentation Program, provides partial support for the acquisition of a low vacuum scanning electron microscope (LV SEM). The principal investigators include four faculty members from three different departments in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Northern Illinois University. Principal applications of the LV SEM by the PIs include: studies of glacial-sedimentary processes and polar plankton biostratigraphy and evolution entailing examination of microstructures in subglacial sediments; studies in the environmental biogeosciences, including analysis of the spatial distribution of microorganisms involved in biodegradation of organic solvents; studies of modern soils and Quaternary paleosols to examine their current and historic ability to sequester carbon; studies in plant morphology and systematics, ethnobotany, conservation biology, and botanical biocomplexity; and applications in educational programs, including research training, undergraduate coursework, and community outreach education programs. The instrument to be purchased is the JEOL 5600LV, which can operate at either high vacuum or low vacuum, with the Noran Vantage DSI spectral imaging system X-ray analyzer (EDS). Samples for observation require virtually no pretreatment, and large samples (up to 15 cm) can be imaged without gold-coating. This is a non-destructive method, perfect for examination of unique specimens, such as holotypes or artifacts, and wet or outgassing samples can be directly analyzed. ***

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Earth Sciences (EAR)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
0116385
Program Officer
Russell C. Kelz
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2001-09-01
Budget End
2003-08-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$139,925
Indirect Cost
Name
Northern Illinois University
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
De Kalb
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60115