This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program grants supports acquisition of an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) equipped with a variable pressure sample cell that enables imaging of uncoated and hydrated samples. The ESEM will also be equipped with an energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (EDS) that will permit semi-quantitative microchemical analysis. The ESEM would complement an existing transmission electron microscope (TEM) and laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) in the Center for Microscopy and Imaging (CMI) at Smith College. Research applications will include: geochemical investigations of porphyroblasts in low grade metamorphic rocks; characterization of the chemistry and structure of boron doped carbon nanotubes and fibers; studies of carbonate diagenesis; biofilm investigations; small mammalian vertebrate taxonomy and functional morphology; petrogenetic investigations of hydrothermal ore deposits; marine microfossil paleontology; and materials studies for the historic preservation of art. Smith College is the nation?s largest liberal arts college for women and more than 30% of Smith women major in a science. Smith also has a strong record of recruiting underrepresented students, students from low-income families, and first generation college students.
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The principal goal of this project was to improve and enable ongoing and proposed research at Smith College in geology, biology, and other disciplines through the acquisition of an environmental scanning electron microscope (SEM) with variable pressure capability including wet sample options and with a high count-rate energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (EDS). Because Smith is a liberal arts college for women, much of this research should be by undergraduate students in collaboration with faculty members as an integral part of the preparation of young women for careers as scientists or in related fields. Another goal was to increase use of electron microscopy in research and to stimulate new research (1) because of the ease of training and use that a modern, highly-automated SEM provides, and (2) because of the new capabilities to study wet samples, to observe uncoated samples, to observe cathode luminescence of samples, and to collect chemical maps rapidly. Much of the first year of the award period was devoted to the selection, purchase, installation, and PI training on the new scanning electron microscope, software, and accessories described in the proposal. We found that an FEI Quanta 450 SEM best met our needs, particularly in the area of "environmental" (near atmospheric pressure) observations. We worked with the vendor to be able to afford this more advanced SEM within our MRI budget. We were able to do this with an EDAX TEAM EDS, which is particularly good for the phase mapping so important to geological research. During the grant period, mostly during the second year, 5 faculty members, 3 staff members, 16 undergraduate students, one high school student, and one local artist were trained to be independent users of the SEM. In addition, 95 other students were given SEM demonstrations and worked with SEM data as part of class projects in courses. Faculty members and undergraduate students used the SEM/EDS as part of their research during the grant period, leading to theses, presentations at professional meetings, and publications. Some of the publications that were completed with the support of this grant are: Bosak, T., Lahr, D. J. G., Pruss, S. B., Macdonald, F. A., *Dalton, L., Matys, E. (1/15/12). Possible early foraminferans in post Sturtian cap carbonates. Geology. 40 (1), 67-70. Carbone, Emily. The Hrafnfjordur Central Volcano: Petrogenesis of a Volcanic Sequence in the Early Stages of an Icelandic Rift Zone. (5/1/12). Undergraduate thesis, Smith College. Durkin, Kate. Experimental Calibration of Fe and Mg Partitioning Between Garnet and Biotite at Elevated Pressures. (5/1/12). Undergraduate thesis, Smith College. Wei-Haas, M.L., Glumac, B., and Curran, H.A. (3/15/11). Sphenothallus-?like fossils from the Martinsburg Formation (Upper Ordovician), Tennessee, USA. Journal of Paleontology. 85 (2), 353-359. In the few months since the end of the grant period, many additional students and a few more faculty members have been trained in the use of the SEM/EDS. Based on the steadily increasing use of this major instrument, its impact on the research in geology, biology, and other disciplines at Smith College is exceeding expectations. Furthermore, based on the user population, the impact of this instrument on the training of new scientists, particularly women and underrepresented minorities, will be great indeed.
