MRI: Acquisition of Multi-Purpose X-Ray Diffraction System for Research and Associated Educational Programs

这主要研究仪器（MRI）补助金支持收购现代X射线衍射仪（XRD）系统，用于新型纳米材料，有机薄膜和地质材料的定性和定量分析，以加强孟菲斯大学（UofM）的研究和教学，孟菲斯，田纳西州，服务于田纳西州西部地区的主要研究机构。XRD将大大提高物理，化学和地质科学系的PI和co-PI的研究能力，并将为当地学校，学院和行业的研究人员提供绝佳的研究机会。将从所请求的XRD中显著受益的研究项目的例子包括：（1）用于增强磁性材料的纳米结构磁性复合材料;（2）用于理解蛋白质/表面相互作用的蛋白质薄膜;（3）用于耐腐蚀的有机薄膜;（4）用于传感器应用的纳米多孔聚合物薄膜;（5）用于增强磁性材料的纳米结构磁性复合材料;（6）用于增强磁性材料的纳米结构磁性复合材料;（7）用于增强磁性材料的纳米结构磁性复合材料;（8）用于增强磁性材料的纳米结构磁性复合材料;（9）用于增强磁性材料的纳米结构磁性复合材料;（9）用于增强磁性材料的纳米结构磁性复合材料;（10）用于增强磁性材料的纳米结构磁性复合材料;（11）用于增强磁性材料的纳米结构磁性复合材料;（12）用于增强磁性材料的纳米结构磁性复合材料;（13）用于增强磁性材料的纳米结构磁性复合材料;（14）用于增强磁性材料的纳米结构磁性复合材料;（15）用于增强磁性材料的纳米结构磁性复合材料;（16）用于增强（5）对沉积物和粘土矿物的地球化学研究，分析污染物的迁移及其对土壤的影响。这款多功能仪器采用模块化设计，可在各种环境条件下收集各种样品（从薄膜到小粉末样品）的高分辨率x射线衍射数据。此外，这一系统将利用现有的最新软件和数据库，对所获得的数据进行准确和有效的分析。通过参与相关的研究项目，研究生和本科研究生将有机会在X射线技术的现代方面进行培训。此外，通过将实验室实验纳入现有和新的班级，学术学生也将受益于拟议的设施。最后，由于密歇根大学拥有最大的少数民族学生人口之一，该仪器将为属于代表性不足群体的密歇根大学学生提供一个机会，让他们体验材料科学中最通用和最广泛使用的实验技术之一。密歇根大学正在积极寻求改善其研究人员、实验室、基础设施和培训计划的途径。这些努力的主要目标是建立教师专业知识和实验设施的坚实基础，使UofM在吸引外部研究资金方面更具竞争力，并在中南地区建立一个一流的培训机构。现代X射线仪器的购置将使来自UofM和周边机构的研究人员能够开展许多不同的研究和培训活动，如磁性复合材料，蛋白质薄膜，耐腐蚀材料，沉积学和矿物学。该仪器具有高度通用性，允许研究人员研究从少量粉末样品（例如地质样品）到金属薄膜，生物有机膜和胶体材料的各种材料。该系统将有助于目前和未来的合作研究活动，以及当地大学和行业之间的合作。密歇根大学在全国非少数民族院校中排名前20位，非裔美国人获得学士学位的人数最多，而且相当多的学生是所谓的非传统学生。 因此，拟议的仪器将为代表性不足的群体提供一个学习科学研究中重要实验技术的机会。所要求的仪器的收购是至关重要的，以进一步提高我们的研究能力，实现我们的招生目标。

This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant supports the acquisition of a modern X-ray diffractometer (XRD) system for qualitative and quantitative analysis of novel nanomaterials, organic films, and geological materials to enhance research and teaching at the University of Memphis (UofM), Memphis, TN, a major research institute serving the western region of Tennessee. The XRD will greatly enhance the research capabilities of the PI and co-PIs in the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Geological sciences and will provide excellent research opportunities to researchers from local schools, colleges, and industries. Examples of research projects that will benefit significantly from the requested XRD include: (1) nanostructured magnetic composites for enhanced magnetic materials; (2) protein thin films for understanding protein/surface interactions; (3) organic films for corrosion resistance; (4) nanoporous polymer films for sensor applications; and (5) several geochemistry studies of sediments and clay minerals for analysis of contaminant transport and their effects on soils. The modular design this versatile instrument permits collecting high-resolution x-ray diffraction data for variety of specimens-thin films to small powder samples-in wide variety of environmental conditions. In addition, this system will allow for accurate and efficient analysis of the acquired data using the latest software and databases available. Through participation in related research projects, graduate and undergraduate research students will have the opportunity to train in modern aspects of x-ray techniques. In addition, through the incorporation of laboratory experiments into existing and new classes, academic students will also benefit from the proposed facility. Finally, because the UofM has one of the largest minorities' students population (both African-American and women) in the region, the instrument will present an opportunity for UofM students belonging to an under-represented group to experience one of the most versatile and widely used experimental techniques in materials sciences.Realizing the need to prepare a workforce for industry and academia trained in the field of materials research, the UofM is actively pursuing avenues to improve its research personnel, laboratories, infrastructure, and training programs. The main objectives of these efforts are to build a strong foundation of faculty expertise and experimental facilities that will make UofM more competitive in attracting external research funds and to create a premiere training institute in the Mid-South. The acquisition of modern x-ray instrumentation will enable investigators from the UofM and surrounding institutions to carry out a number of diverse research and training activities, such as magnetic composites, protein thin films, corrosion resistance materials, sedimentology, and mineralogy. This instrument is highly versatile allowing researchers to study variety of materials from small amount of powder samples (for example geological samples) to metal thin films, bioorganic films, and colloidal materials. The system will aid in the present and future collaborative research activities within and between local universities and industries. The UofM ranks in the top 20 among non- predominantly-minority institutions nationwide with highest number of baccalaureate degrees awarded to African Americans, and a significant number of its students are so-called non-traditional. Thus the proposed instrument will present an opportunity to under-represented groups to learn important experimental techniques in scientific research. The acquisition of the requested instrument is critical to furthering our research capabilities and realizing our student recruitment goals.