An Atomic Force Microscope for Biological Imaging, Lithography and Force Measurements

该奖项将用于获得具有环境控制和浸渍笔纳米光刻能力的原子力显微镜（AFM），用于复杂生物系统的纳米到微米尺度的研究和教育。该仪器将用于研究细胞和亚细胞力学的基础科学以及新纳米尺度生物材料和器件设计的前沿项目。该仪器还将用于培养跨学科纳米生物科学的下一代学生，通过扩展他们的实验能力，促进对纳米尺度的知识好奇心，并激励他们自由探索自己的想法来创建和评估新的纳米结构和设备。该AFM的教育和更广泛的社会影响将：(1)为高级本科生和研究生开发新的特定学科的实验室和演示；(2)通过现有的GK-12城市项目STAMP：科学、技术和数学伙伴关系，向K-12市中心的学生介绍微米和纳米尺度制造的独特体验；(3)直接与罗克斯伯里社区学院和布里奇沃特州立学院合作，提供这些纳米光刻工具的独特途径，目的是为学生提供难忘的动手实验室体验。

This award will be used to acquire an atomic force microscope (AFM) with environmental control and dip-pen nanolithography capabilities to pursue research and education at the nano-to-micro length scale for complex biosystems. The instrumentation will be used for projects studying the basic science of cellular and subcellular mechanics and projects at the cutting edge of new nanoscale biomaterials and device design. This instrumentation will also be used to train the next generation of students in interdisciplinary nanobioscience by expanding their experimental capabilities, promoting an intellectual curiosity about the nanoscale, and motivating them to freely explore their own ideas to create and evaluate new nanostructures and devices. The educational and broader societal impact of this AFM will be (1) to develop new subject-specific laboratories and demonstrations for advanced undergraduate and graduate students; (2) to introduce K-12 inner city students to unique experiences in micro- and nanoscale fabrication, through an existing GK-12 urban program Project STAMP: Science, Technology and Math Partnerships; (3) to work directly with Roxbury Community College and Bridgewater State College to provide unique access to these nanolithography tools with the goal of giving students memorable, hands-on laboratory experiences.