Acquisition of a Micro-CT for Multi-Disciplinary Research, Teaching, and STEM Outreach at California State University, Bakersfield
Abstract
For public release This is a proposal for the acquisition of a new Bruker X-Ray high resolution microtomograph (HRCT) to be housed at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB). Instruments and quotations from multiple vendors were evaluated. This instrument was chosen because of its versatility for multi-disciplinary applications and competitive price. CSUB is a comprehensive, non Ph.D.-granting institution that serves a strategically important region in the United States because of extensive agricultural production and local petroleum reservoirs. CSUB is a Hispanic serving institution and our students are critical to the economic vitality of the region, particularly in STEM fields. The proposed instrument will support multi-disciplinary research in biology, geology, computer science, and engineering. Several of the research projects are in areas of interest to the Department of Defense (DoD). Faculty involved are from Biology (PI R. Brandon Pratt, Anna Jacobsen, Todd McBride, Jeroen Gillard, Paul Smith, Antje Lauer, and Isolde Francis), Geology (Graham Andrews, Dirk Baron, and Tony Rathburn), and Engineering (Luis Cabrales, Dayanand Saini, and Albert Cruz). Research areas of interest to DoD are material science research, research on Valley Fever, muscle physiology, earth science, and biophysics. High resolution micro-CT is a powerful and versatile imaging method that uses X-rays as a radiation source and is able to penetrate a broad range of objects. Objects are scanned along their length to obtain 3D images that represent accurate models of these structures. The HRCT we are targeting has a maximum resolution of 0.035 µm and can scan samples as large 5.2 cm in width and 7.5 cm in length making it applicable to a broad range of studies. The HRCT would bring a new and exciting capability to CSUB as we currently have no similar capabilities. Besides being uniquely suited to a broad range of projects, the system is relatively simple in principle and easy to operate, requires minimal upkeep, has a small footprint, and does not require special installation, all of which makes it ideal for a mid-sized institution like CSUB. The instrument will support existing collaborations and enable new ones between faculty at CSUB and promote collaborations with researchers from other institutions including those in the greater southern California region. It will also support existing outreach efforts to local high schools as part of an annually assessed summer research program that has been running since 2007. Many of these outreach efforts are currently funded by CSUB and numerous external funding sources from both public and private entities such as Chevron Corporation. The project team is led by biology faculty with experience in establishing, maintaining, and sustaining sophisticated instrument laboratories at CSUB. They have had success in obtaining external funds from NSF and other public and private sources to support their research, including two NSF CAREER awards. They are joined by a multi-disciplinary group of junior and senior faculty with strong, student-centered research programs and a commitment to student research and training and outreach to high schools and community colleges. The teamÕs strong record of externally-funded research and outreach will be advanced by an on-campus HRCT.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 11, 2018
- Source ID
- W911NF1610556
Entities
People
- Brandon Pratt
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- California State University, Bakersfield
- Office of the Secretary of Defense