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Acquisition of a Tabletop Scanning Electron Microscope for Undergraduate Research and Training in Materials Chemistry and Geological Science and STEM Activities in Grades 7-12 David M. Sarno, Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York, DMR 0722607.
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Acquisition of a Tabletop Scanning Electron Microscope for Undergraduate Research and Training in Materials Chemistry and Geological Science and STEM Activities in Grades 7-12 David M. Sarno, Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York, DMR 0722607 The Hitachi TM-1000 tabletop scanning electron microscope is well-suited to a teaching institution with limited research facilities. Up to 10,000x magnification is possible on an instrument that is inexpensive, simple to operate, and requires minimal maintenance. Also acquired was a sputter coater to improve imaging of non-conductive samples. Studies in materials chemistry and geology have been greatly facilitated by this acquisition. Major projects in the first year have included the morphological char- acterization of organic and inorganic nanomaterials. Several conduct- ing polymer nanomaterials have been studied as the basis for hybrid materials with possible biosensor applications. Metal salts reduced and stabilized by siloxane oligomers have yielded micron and nano-scale metal particles for catalysis. Micron-scale particles of Poly(2-ethylaniline) Cubic silver particles from the reaction of AgNO3 and siloxane oligomer Polyaniline nanofibers
Acquisition of a Tabletop Scanning Electron Microscope for Undergraduate Research and Training in Materials Chemistry and Geological Science and STEM Activities in Grades 7-12 David M. Sarno, Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York, DMR 0722607 Acquisition of the TM-1000 tabletop SEM has brought microscopy to the QCC campus. As a non-Ph.D.-granting, minority-serving institution that is 59% female, this instrument is readily accessible to students from underrepresented groups, broadening their participation in STEM fields. In the first project year, five 1st and 2nd-year undergraduates have been trained in its operation and all have presented their research at local, regional, and national ACS meetings. The SEM joins a modern instrumentation lab used for teaching and faculty-mentored research. The student-centered focus of research at QCC promotes a sense of ownership and responsibility for their projects. QCC students presenting their work and operating the TM-1000 SEM