Mississippi State University (MSU) has announced plans to acquire a highly advanced scanning electron microscope (SEM), marking a significant milestone as it will be the first of its kind in the region. This initiative is made possible through a grant exceeding $700,000 from the National Science Foundation under its Major Research Instrumentation program.
The installation of the new SEM is projected to be completed by early 2026 at the Institute for Imaging and Analytical Technologies (I2AT), which is situated within MSU”s Thad Cochran Research, Technology and Economic Development Park. This state-of-the-art instrument will enhance the university”s research capabilities across various disciplines.
Professor Santanu Kundu from the Swalm School of Chemical Engineering and the chair of Southern Ionics is leading the project as the principal investigator. He emphasized the microscope”s role in significantly boosting research efforts by providing high-resolution imaging that can resolve details as small as 0.7 nanometers.
Kundu is collaborating with a multidisciplinary team that includes Mahesh Gangishetty, an assistant professor in the physics and chemistry departments; Lauren Priddy, an associate professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; Matthew Priddy, an associate professor in the Hall School of Mechanical Engineering; and Colleen Scott, an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry.
The new SEM is designed to facilitate a wide array of research projects, advancing fields such as soft materials, optoelectronic nanomaterials, composites, biomaterials, and additively manufactured metals and alloys. With its integrated energy dispersive spectroscopy and electron backscatter diffraction capabilities, this instrument is set to accelerate innovation in materials characterization.
MSU”s I2AT also provides students with valuable hands-on training in advanced imaging and analytical techniques, preparing them for future careers in science and technology. The combination of cutting-edge instrumentation and expert support at the institute fosters groundbreaking research, enhances collaboration with industry, and contributes to the economic development of Mississippi.
For more information on MSU”s engineering programs, visit www.bagley.msstate.edu or follow them on social media at @msuengineering.
