This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant will support the acquisition of a Rigaku Ultima III x-ray diffractometer for Northern Kentucky University science departments. The x-ray diffractometer will support the research and teaching programs of PI's Janet Bertog (geology), Hazel Barton (biology) and Heather Bullen (chemistry) that require mineral phase identification and crystal structure analysis. Research that will be facilitated includes: 1) evaluation of Cretaceous marine extinction events through study of clay minerals as paleoenvironmental indicators ; 2) studies of mineral-microbial interactions in cave ecosystems and resultant mineral authigenesis; 3) analysis of biofilms formed on metal oxide surfaces, which will aid in developing methods to control biofilm fouling and corrosion of engineered materials in industrial, food processing, and medical settings. Students at this rural Appalachian undergraduate institution, many of whom are first generation college students or are non traditional, will be involved in primary research utilizing the XRD and will be trained in XRD analytical techniques through formal coursework and lab exercises.
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