“Hands-On” Problem Solving with Remote Electron

Microscopy

George MotterAndrea HarmerLehigh University

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Lehigh UniversityDepartment of Materials Science and

Engineering

One of the World's leading centers for Electron Microscopy

Center for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology

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Introduction to Two CAMN Projects

• The MatPAC – Graduate level

• The West Nile Virus Project– 6th grade level

Center for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology

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MatPAC

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• Students have more

diverse course choice

• Faculty interact with more students for potential recruitment

• PA universities more appealing because of choice, extra courses help round out departments, model takes advantage of every strength in materials science across the state

Benefits of Shared Classes

MatPAC in action

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• I2 enables students to access microscopes at Lehigh from their classroom

• EM images embedded in scientific inquiry can be effective idea stimulators

• Students can create their own images and artifacts

• Great introduction to nanoscience & technology

Helping Students Understand Nanoscale Science Through “Hands-On” Problem

Solving Inquiry and Electron Microscopy

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inimagin

http://wise.berkeley.edu

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• I2 enables students to access microscopes at Lehigh from their classroom

• EM images embedded in scientific inquiry can be effective idea stimulators

• Students can create their own images and artifacts

• Great introduction to nanoscience & technology

Helping Students Understand Nanoscale Science Through “Hands-On” Problem

Solving Inquiry and Electron Microscopy

http://www.lehigh.edu/~inimagin

http://wise.berkeley.edu

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Student Comments on “Most Important” Aspect

• “ that someone tries our solution and it helps”• “ that we are trying to help scientists”• “ that we learn from it ”• “ when we present, people understand”• “ makes other people know that kids are thinking”• “ that we work together and also have fun”• “ that we try our best”• “ that we could make a difference”

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How students felt about the WNV project

• “I’m included in doing something good for my community and country”

• “challenging, but fun”• “discussed ideas like presidents and governors” -- “wicked

discussions”• “I feel important to be helping to solve a problem for a big

situation”• “I’m proud”• “I love science, amazing, interesting, cool”• “people will like science more now because they will have

more confidence that they can do better”

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Spring ‘04 Plans

• Pilot test K-12 student desktop use of remote electron microscope with West Nile Virus students

• Embed imaging opportunities into lesson plans

• Promote and study collaboration between researching scientists, teachers and students engaging in authentic and relevant problem-solving scientific inquiry using “hands-on” electron microscopy for better understanding of process

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How it works

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FEI/Philips XL30 ESEM

    

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Why the XL30?

• Completely PC based control• Easy to use interface• Imaging of non-conductive

   or even wet samples • Magnification of 500,000 times are

obtainable– Translates to a resolution of 2.0 nm or 2

Billionth of a meter – DNA is 2.5 nm wide

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Prior Work

• Bugscope, University of Illinois– Developed scaled down Java interface

• John Mansfield, University of Michigan– VBrick with computer overlay card– Developed first generation of current software

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XL30 SEM Interface

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How It Works

Control

Raw Video

Linux MPEG4 Video Encoder

Encoded Video

VNC Session

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XL30 Remote Software

Advantages

• High Resolution• Real Time (low encoding latency)• Inexpensive – mostly open source• Scalable• Maintains full controls and user interface

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Future Plans for the Software

• Continued development of encoding engine

• Upgrade VNC

• Better error correction

• Multiple streams from other cameras

• Image-only output for separate displays

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Abe under the Microscope

Optical SEM

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Abe Under the Microscope

Let’s Play

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Questions?

George Motter

gfm2@lehigh.edu

Andrea Harmer

ajw1@lehigh.edu