MTSU INTERDISCIPLINARY MICROANALYSIS AND IMAGING CENTER

1
MTSU INTERDISCIPLINARY MICROANALYSIS AND IMAGING
CENTER
MIMIC
Marion R. Wells, Joyce L. Miller, and Ngee-Sing
Chong Middle Tennessee State University
Introduction
Fees and Funding
MIMIC Advisory Board
Courses
Fees and Funding
Scanning Electron Microscopy Techniques
Laboratory (BIOL 4290/6290) Offered each fall.
The primary route to in-depth learning of SEM,
this four credit laboratory course consists of
one-third each of sample preparation, data
collection (including remote operation), and
analysis and theory. Students collect and prepare
samples utilizing a full range of techniques, and
are responsible for a portfolio of high quality
images. Undergraduate and graduate students from
the Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Art,
Photography and Criminal Justice departments have
taken the course. Energy Dispersive X-Ray
Analysis (BIOL 4360/6360) Offered each spring. In
this one-credit course requiring the SEM course
as a prerequisite, students learn EDX theory,
sample preparation, perform quantitative
analyses, and do elemental mapping of samples
from biological and industrial sources.
Transmission Electron Microscopy Techniques
Laboratory (BIOL 4270/6410) Offered each spring.
This four credit laboratory course consists of
one-half sample preparation, and a quarter each
of data collection (including remote operation,
and analysis and theory. Students collect and
prepare samples utilizing a full range of
techniques, and are responsible for a portfolio
of high quality images Inductively-Coupled
Plasma Mass SpectrometryTraining. Research
training in ICP-MS techniques offered at the MTSU
Interdisciplinary Microanalysis and Imaging
Center, courtesy of an NSF-CCLI grant, is
incorporated into ETIS 4220 and GEOL courses
offered every year to undergraduate and a few
graduate students. Each course involves several
sample preparations, instrument theory, and
hands-on training. Practical Techniques in
Microanalysis (IMIC 4820/5820). This new one
credit course is offered every semester to
introduce students to one microanalytical
technique. Individual attention will be provided
with the goals that the student will become an
independent user with the technical skills to
pursue research projects safely, properly, and
independently.
The MIMIC Advisory Board has representatives from
seven departments and two colleges including
faculty members, one staff member, and one
department chair. They meet quarterly to review
and revise policy.

• Fees. The Center is run on a fee-for-usage basis
  to partially defray costs of operation. Outside
  users are welcome. Current fees are available at
  our website www.mtsu.edu/mimic/fees.html.
  Scheduling of instrument time is done through the
  online FACES system at www.mtsu.edu/mimic.
• Funding
• Limited internal financial support for
  instrument time for research can be obtained from
  department funds, through the Faculty Research
  and Creative Activity Committee through standard
  research proposals www.mtsu.edu/
• 7Eresearch/frcpc/index.html OR instrument time
  (only) applications at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/facu
  lty/charges.htm
• External Users
• MIMIC has had clients from industry, academia,
  and government labs including
• ATI Stellram
• BioMimectics Therapeutics
• George Mills Associates International, Inc.
• Sanford Company
• Servitech Industries, inc.
• Tridon
• University of Tennessee Space Institute
• Vanderbilt university

The MTSU Interdisciplinary Microanalysis and
Imaging Center (MIMIC) is a core facility for
microscopy and other characterization equipment
that is centrally located in the Forrest Hall
Annex and housed administratively in the Office
of Research and Sponsored Programs. This shared
resource for research in structural biology and
materials science is scheduled to be fully
operational by early Fall 2006. The Center is run
on a fee-for-usage basis. Currently part-time
Technical and Administrative Directors as well as
a full-time Technical Manager are associated with
the facility. An Advisory Board reviews and
approves policy and procedures for Center
operation. The renovation of the space has been
funded by the Presidents Office, the Provosts
Office, MTSU Foundation Special Projects
Committee, which generously awarded its entire
2005-2006 budget to the project, matching funds
from an NSF-funded instrument, the Dean of the
College of Basic and Applied Sciences and the
Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and
Engineering Technology Industrial Studies,
Geosciences, and the College of Liberal Arts.
This represents the most inclusive collaborative
effort in science at MTSU to date, aside from the
new science building.
Dr. George W. Benz, Ph.D.Associate
ProfessorBiology
Dr. Heather Brown, Ph.D.Assistant
ProfessorEngineering Technology and Industrial
Studies
Dr. Ngee-Sing Chong, Ph.D.Associate
ProfessorChemistry
Egg Protien Fibers
Dr. Warner Cribb, Ph.D.ProfessorGeosciences
Dr. Andrienne C. Friedli.ProfessorChemistry
Dr. Ron Henderson, Ph.D.Associate
ProfessorPhysics and Astronomy
Joyce MillerTechnical Manager Biology
Magnolia Stem
Instrumentation
Insect hairs
Dr. George G. Murphy Professor and Department
ChairBiology

• All of the instruments in MIMIC are used in both
  research and for instruction. The SEM and TEM are
  fitted with remote access hardware and software
  so that they may be run from locations on and off
  campus. A technician is associated with the
  center to train users, and to aid in sample
  preparation, data gathering and analysis,
  accounting, and scheduling. Since it is intended
  to promote interdisciplinary collaborations,
  MIMIC contains a conference room for discussions
  and some office space for users to analyze data.
• Available instruments
• Hitachi H-7650 Transmission Electron Microscope
• Hitachi S-3400 Scanning Electron Microscope
• with Oxford INCA Energy 200 Dispersive X-Ray
  Analyzer
• Perkin-Elmer Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass
  Spectrometer
• Nikon Confocal Microscope
• Equipment
• Ultramicrotome (Leica Ultracut)
• Critical Point Dryer (Polaron)
• Sputter coater (Hummer 6.2)
• Vacuum evaporator (Ladd)
• Rototorque rotator, microcentrifuge
• Biosafety II cabinet

Dr. Tanya M. PeresAssistant ProfessorSociology
and Anthropology
Featured Projects
Dr. Marion R. Wells ProfessorBiology

• Department of Biology
• Dentition Comparison between Two Salamander
  species. B Miller
• Characterization of Fish Embryos. J Shardo
• Ultrastructure of Bacterial Cells from Amoeba. A
  Farone, M Farone
• Confocal Analysis of Giemsa-stained Parasites.
  Farone , Young Newsome
• Department of Chemistry
• Morphology of Organosilane films. A Friedli
• Characterization of Nanoparticles. NS Chong
• Department of Engineering Industrial Studies
• Characterization of Cement. H Brown
• Analysis of Guitar Finishes. W Boles
• Department of History
• Chemical Composition of Barbarous Coins. V Clark
• Department of Physics Astronomy
• Photonic Crystal Characterization. R Henderson
• Department of Sociology Anthropology
• Elemental Analysis of Archaeological Skeletal
  Populations. A Kutyla
• Elemental Analysis of Gun Shot Residue. Kutyla
  Berryman
• Elemental Analysis of Deer Teeth. Peres Kutyla

African Violet Flower Petal
Contact Information

www.mtsu.edu/mimic
MIMIC

Joyce Miller 615-494-7976 Marion Wells
615-494-7976 Ngee-Sing Chong 615-898-5487
Ragweed Pollen
Cardinal Feather
Ant Head
MIMIC is centrally located in the East Wing
(ICP-MS) and West Wing (EM instruments and wet
lab) of the Forrest Hall Annex behind the
Keathley University Center.