MRI: Acquisition of a Magnetic Property Measurement System for Nanotechnology and Materials Science Research at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez

通过这笔拨款，波多黎各大学马亚圭斯分校将获得一个磁性测量系统，该系统将支持纳米技术和材料科学与工程方面的研究和教育工作。该系统以超导干涉装置为基础，可以精确测定磁粉、磁膜以及块状材料的直流磁性（包括磁各向异性）。该设备将允许表征新型磁活性材料，如磁性纳米颗粒悬浮液和粉末、软硬铁氧体、金属和合金金属纳米颗粒、稀释磁性半导体和磁活性薄膜。这些材料可以应用于新型磁性活性胶体萃取剂、体内显像剂、靶向磁性载体、磁性细胞分选器、传感器、高密度记录介质、基于自旋电子的系统以及微机电和纳米机电系统（MEMS/NEMS）的组件。磁性测量系统所提供的磁化测量能力和功能是真正独特的，将有助于加强波多黎各大学马亚圭斯分校在纳米技术和材料科学与工程方面正在进行的和未来的研究工作。此外，波多黎各没有类似的设备，因此购买所要求的仪器是促进该大学研究目标的重要一步，也是对波多黎各研究基础设施的宝贵补充。通过纳米级相互作用、结构和应用中心，该大学与几个少数民族服务机构之间建立了紧密的联系。

Through this grant, the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez will acquire a magnetic property measurement system that will support research and education efforts in nanotechnology and materials science and engineering. The system, based on a superconducting interference device, will allow accurate determination of direct current magnetic properties (including magnetic anisotropy) of magnetic powders and films, as well as bulk materials. The equipment will allow characterization of novel magnetically-active materials such as magnetic nanoparticle suspensions and powders, soft and hard ferrites, metal and alloyed metallic nanoparticles, diluted magnetic semiconductors, and magnetically-active thin films. These materials have applications as novel magnetically-active colloidal extractants, in-vivo imaging agents, targeted magnetic carriers, magnetic cell sorters, sensors, high-density recording media, spintronic based systems, and components for microelectromechanical and nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS). The magnetization measurement capabilities and functionalities afforded by the magnetic property measurement system are truly unique and will serve to enhance ongoing and future research efforts in nanotechnology and materials science and engineering at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez. Furthermore, there are no similar devices available in Puerto Rico, making acquisition of the requested instrument a vital step in furthering the university's research goals, as well as a valuable addition to the Puerto Rico research infrastructure. There is a strong link between the university and several Minority Serving Institutions through the Nanoscale Interactions, Structures, and Applications Center.