Michigan Technological University, Houghton, is well on its way to getting a $1.7 million, state-of-the-science transmission electron microscope (TEM), thanks to the National Science Foundation and a team of dedicated researchers led by Reza Shahbazian-Yassar.
“This will bring us to the forefront of electron microscopy,” said Shahbazian-Yassar, the principal investigator on the project. The new TEM will not only give researchers the ability to study atomic structure, it will also identify chemical composition with sensitivity close to a single atom.
“Reza took the lead in pursuing the funding for this new instrument, and the team was successful over a lot of larger schools,” said David Read, vice president for research. “This is a real achievement for Michigan Tech, and it continues our history of outstanding capability in materials characterization and analysis. The TEM will complement our existing strengths and expand our capacity in new and exciting ways.”
In approving his proposal, the NSF noted that the TEM would support a range of research projects at Michigan Tech—and make the scientists’ jobs much easier. Currently, researchers must travel hundreds of miles to use TEMs at other institutions.
The TEM works by bombarding thin, specially prepared specimens with electrons, which image the atoms as they pass through. In addition, the microscope has a spectroscopy component, which will provide the precise chemical composition of atoms. For many researchers, including Shahbazian-Yassar, that’s critical.
The cost of the TEM will be covered by $1.2 million from the NSF and about $500,000 in matching funds provided by the College of Engineering, the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics and the Office of the Vice President for Research.
Michigan Tech will offer an advanced course on electron microscopy techniques, which will give graduate students and senior-level undergraduates hands-on experience with the microscope, Shahbazian-Yassar said. In addition, educational outreach activities can introduce K-12 students to electron microscopy and generate interest in the STEM disciplines.
The University will be negotiating with manufacturers to obtain the best possible equipment. The new TEM should be operational in early 2016.
Shahbazian-Yassar is the Richard and Elizabeth Henes Endowed Professor in Nanotechnology in the ME-EM department. Co-principal investigators on the project are Assistant Professor Tolou Shokuhfar (ME-EM), Associate Professor Claudio Mazzoleni (Physics), Professor Yoke Khin Yap (Physics) and Professor Stephen Hackney (MSE).
Image – Michigan Tech’s new transmission electron microscope will be able to generate images such as this one, which reveals the atomic structure of zinc-antimony nanowires.
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