This interdisciplinary project will develop experiments for undergraduate students in chemistry, geology and physics to use surface analysis and imaging techniques to characterize materials. Presently, Ball State University has a scanning electron microscope used by the three departments. The acquisition of an x-ray detector for the existing electron microscope will facilitate quantitative analysis and elemental maps of samples. The chemistry department operates an infrared microscope. The addition of an attenuated total reflectance objective will allow information about molecular or crystalline structure to be obtained on a wide variety of surfaces. These two techniques, which provide complementary elemental and molecular information, will offer the student an integrated and superb application of the fascinating theories of the behavior of electrons, atoms, and molecules. Practically speaking, these experiments will broaden the experience of the chemistry, geology and physics students. They can use surface analysis as an analytical technique while preparing themselves for future opportunities in research and industrial applications.
