Development of Molecular Level Adhesion Measurement Apparatus for Student Training and Education

这笔赠款支持设计和开发一种分子粘附性测量仪器(MAMA)，该仪器能够检测相邻聚合物膜之间的粘附性，以及聚合物膜与其他基材之间的粘附性。有关流变光声学的基本原理将在附着力测量的背景下进行研究。由于两个聚合物表面界面上的物理化学变化对粘附性和与之相关的分子水平过程有重大影响，因此使用这种方法是合理的，最终将导致我们对粘附性的认识的提高。此外，能够测量粘附力的独特仪器的开发将为在纳米水平上研究界面力开辟新的途径。USM的一个由聚合物/材料科学家组成的跨学科小组，他们广泛参与了国家重要的研究项目，要求开发这种仪器。该设备不仅将对USM现有的和未来的研究项目产生重大影响，而且将对国家和世界范围内的许多现有和未来的研究项目以及未来几代科学家的教育产生重大影响。这种仪器在纳米复合材料、微域、环保复合材料、薄膜和涂层、生物材料和生物学研究领域的实验研究和学生培训中得到了应用。该仪器将提高分辨率，同时改善仪器控制能力，从而增加数据吞吐量。虽然拟议的仪器开发的长期好处在上述领域，但在教育和培训未来的科学家和研究人员队伍方面存在固有的任务，因此有必要开发这一仪器。不仅USM的研究人员和学生受益，而且在USM进行赞助研究的50多家大公司也可以使用这种仪器。

This grant supports the design and development of a Molecular Adhesion Measurement Apparatus (MAMA) capable of detecting adhesion between adjacent polymeric films, as well as the adhesion between polymeric films and other substrates. Fundamental principles governing rheo-photoacoustics will be examined in the context of the measurements of the adhesion. Since physico-chemical changes at the interface between two polymer surfaces have a significant effect on adhesion and molecular level processes associated with it, it is fair to utilize this approach which ultimately will lead to the advancement of our knowledge of adhesion. Furthermore, the development of a unique instrumentation capable of measuring molecular forces responsible for adhesion will open new avenues for studies of interfacial forces at nano-levels. An interdisciplinary group of polymer/material scientists at USM who are extensively involved in nationally important research programs request this instrument development. This apparatus will have significant impact on numerous existing and future research programs not only at USM, but nation and worldwide, as well as on the education of future generations of scientists. This instrumentation has application to experimental research efforts and student training in the areas of nano-composites, micro-domains, environmentally complaint composites, thin films and coatings, biomaterials, and biological studies. The instrument will enhance resolution along with improved instrumentation control capabilities, thereby increasing data throughput. Although the long-term benefits of the proposed instrument development are in the areas noted above, there are inherent tasks in education and training of the future cadre of scientists and researchers that necessitate the development of this instrument. Not only USM researchers and students benefit, but also over fifty major corporations that conduct sponsored research at USM have access to this instrumentation.