Equipment: MRI: Track 1 Acquisition of a CMOS camera to ensure the transmission electron microscope function in the Microscopy Core Facility at Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University (App State) has requested funding to revitalize a critical piece of scientific instrumentation: the university’s only transmission electron microscope (TEM). By replacing an obsolete, non-functional camera and upgrading the operational software, the proposed funding will extend the lifespan of this powerful microscope by at least 10 years. The TEM serves as a scientific backbone for research, student training, and outreach programs across the entire western North Carolina. With a functional camera, the TEM will again allow researchers and students to view and record subcellular structures, microorganisms, nanoparticles, mineral structures, and macromolecules, making it an indispensable tool across multiple scientific fields. Faculty and students from the Departments of Biology and Geological and Environmental Sciences at App State already rely heavily on this instrument for their research and teaching. Restoring the microscope's imaging capabilities will directly support several diverse, cutting-edge projects, including investigations of how microscopic structures inside roots affect plant development; the sensory nervous systems of fruit flies to understand brain function; identification of cave sediments and human-introduced particles into cave environments, determining the structures of manganese and iron ore minerals in the southern Appalachians; and identifying how the optic nerve regenerates, and analyzing how muscles recover from damage. The new camera will provide high-speed, high-resolution imaging capabilities with minimal digital distortion. New software will also allow researchers to stitch images together and view samples in three dimensions. With these upgrades, the TEM will continue to meet the needs of App State faculty and students for cutting-edge imaging technology and empower the community and future generations for sciences. Beyond the lab, this microscope is a powerful engine for regional STEM education which contributes to social mobility. App State is located in a part of the Appalachian region that faces higher poverty and unemployment rates than the national average, coupled with lower federal spending. App State is deeply committed to closing educational gaps and expanding opportunities for all students in the region. For many local families, higher education is a new frontier; a large percentage of App State students are the first in their families to attend college. The microscope is housed in a shared core facility that serves all campus departments but is also open to the broader public. It directly supports local high schoolers through programs like Upward Bound, which provides academic paths for students from low-income backgrounds. It is also a featured highlight in community outreach events, such as regional school science days and the annual North Carolina Science Festival. By investing in these essential upgrades, App State will continue to train undergraduate and master’s-level students on industry-standard equipment. This project ensures that all current and future generations of Appalachian scientists, engineers, and citizens have the tools they need to achieve their goals. This project aligns with the NSF’s biotechnology priority area. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.