Cutting-Edge Science: Chadron State College Acquires $120,000 Scanning Electron Microscope to Boost Research and Student Skills

In recent news, Chadron State College has received a $120,000 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) that will benefit both students and faculty. The state-of-the-art equipment was funded by the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF) granted to the Nebraska State College System. The SEM is capable of revealing the elements that compose a specimen and producing images with more detail than traditional microscopes.

Dr. Mike Leite, a Professor of Physical Science, believes that the SEM will help students acquire skills that are desired by potential employers. He stated that the applications of this equipment are vast, ranging from industry to law enforcement to environmental research. By offering students the opportunity to collect and interpret a wider range of data, their problem-solving and creative skills will be enhanced.

Leite explained that the way the microscope operates involves bombarding the specimen with electrons, a process that only occurs in a vacuum. In order to prevent electrical charge from accumulating on the specimen, it must be coated with metal if it is not already conductive.

Dr. Joyce Hardy mentioned that the SEM will greatly expand the research possibilities for CSC students and faculty. The microscope’s capabilities in visualizing surface materials with high resolution and analyzing the distribution and composition of chemical elements will have significant applications in medical, environmental, biological, and ecological research, especially in the local region.

Leite, Hardy, and Dr. Ryan Morgan, the Dean of Business, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences, have experience in operating an SEM and are planning to create protocols and conduct training sessions for faculty and students on how to utilize the microscope effectively.