Acquisition of a Scanning Probe Microscope to Support Cross- Disciplinary Research Among Faculty and Undergraduate Students

这项来自化学研究仪器和设施(CRIF)计划和主要研究仪器(MRI)计划的奖项将使卡尔文学院的化学和生物化学系获得扫描探针显微镜系统。扫描探针显微镜研究实验室将加强教师和学生在以下领域的研究计划：1)各种溶剂中聚合物刷子的结构表征，2)表面自组装膜的结构表征，3)铁磁薄膜中的磁区结构，4)滑液和聚合物表面人造泪液的分子粘附性和润滑性。扫描探针显微镜是一种多功能工具，它能够获得高空间分辨率的表面结构信息，并能够测量表面的局部机械和磁特性。它还将为理科学生提供使用这种仪器的培训，这种仪器在生物、化学和物理中有应用。该计划的一个独特之处是为本科院校的教职员工和他们的学生合作者提供跨学科和跨学科的研究和教育活动。

This award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program and the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program will enable the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Calvin College to acquire a scanning probe microscopy system. The scanning probe microscopy research laboratory will enhance the research program of faculty and students in a number of areas including the following: 1) structural characterization of polymer brushes in a range of solvents, 2) structural characterization of self-assembled films on surfaces, 3) magnetic domain structure in ferromagnetic thin films, 4) molecular adhesion and lubricant properties of synovial fluids and artificial tears on polymeric surfaces. The scanning probe microscope is a versatile tool that has the ability to obtain surface structural information with high spatial resolution, as well as the ability to measure local mechanical and magnetic properties of surfaces. It will also give science students training in the use of this instrument which has applications in biology, chemistry and physics. A unique aspect of this program is to provide both interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary research and educational activities to faculty and their student collaborators at an undergraduate institution.