Acquisition of a Dynamic Nano-Force Tensile Test System for Ultrathin Fibers with Environmental Control and Integrated Image Analysis

该提案中描述的Nano Bionix测试系统将为阿克伦大学和周围的研究社区提供一个非常通用的系统，能够对生物和人造材料进行各种机械拉伸测试。Nano Bionix具有广泛的灵敏度，使其能够表征大纤维（如羊驼毛）以及细纤维（如蜘蛛丝）甚至一些纳米级静电纺丝纤维的材料特性。此外，Nano Bionix还提供了连续动态分析的新功能，可以测量纤维在拉伸时如何储存和释放能量的变化。最后，Nano Bionix系统能够在测试过程中控制温度和湿度。虽然一些拉伸测试仪提供热控制，但这是第一个允许同时测试纤维材料性能的水和热效应的系统。总之，这些功能使所描述的Nano Bionix系统成为一个高度集成的软件包，将大大扩展阿克伦大学和周围研究社区的研究能力。 该测试系统的获得将对阿克伦大学和周边机构的研究和教育产生各种更广泛的影响。拉伸测试是生物材料研究、工程、物理、高分子化学和纺织品的重要工具。因此，该系统有潜力在阿克伦大学培养各种跨学科的研究项目。特别是，了解蜘蛛丝的机械性能和分子结构是生物系和高分子科学系的成员非常感兴趣的。Nano Bionix将为这些生物超级纤维的合作研究奠定基础。Nano Bionix系统提供的独特功能组合也将使来自周围机构的各种研究人员受益，包括纳米复合纤维，天然和合成纺织品以及生物材料。因此，该系统将有助于加强美国部分地区机构之间的合作关系，该地区在历史上在各种人造聚合物材料的开发和生产中发挥了重要作用。 Nano Bionix具有非常简单的用户界面。这使得该系统成为本科生和研究生使用的非常实用的工具。因此，Nano Bionix将有助于培养生物力学和材料科学方面的学生，为他们在研究和工业领域的各种职业做好准备。它也将促进基于探究的实验室练习的发展，为介绍生物学的学生，侧重于蜘蛛丝生物力学。许多将利用纳米仿生学的拟议研究项目与工业或技术有着密切的联系，因此参与这些项目的学生将获得第一手资料，了解基础科研与人类进步的重要关系。在生物系，这些学生中有一半以上是女性，30%以上是代表性不足的少数民族。因此，这个纳米Bionix测试系统将促进双重目标，提供一个独特的增强东北俄亥俄州的研究基础设施和教育学生在一个充满活力的，跨学科的环境。

The Nano Bionix test system described in this proposal will provide the University of Akron and the surrounding research community with an extremely versatile system that is capable of performing a variety of mechanical tensile tests on biological and manmade materials. The Nano Bionix has a broad sensitivity that allows it characterize the material properties of large fibers such as alpaca hair, as well as thin fibers such as spider silk, and even some nanoscale electrospun fibers. Furthermore, the Nano Bionix offers the novel capability of Continuous Dynamic Analysis, which measures changes in how fibers store and release energy as they are stretched. Finally, the Nano Bionix system offers the ability to manipulate both temperature and humidity during testing. While a few tensile testers offer thermal control, this is the first system to allow for simultaneous testing of both hydro and thermal effects on the material properties of fibers. Together, these features make the described Nano Bionix system a highly integrated package that will greatly expand the research capacity of The University of Akron and the surrounding research communities. Acquisition of this test system will have a variety of broader impacts upon research and education at the University of Akron and surrounding institutions. Tensile testing is a critical tool for biological materials research, engineering, physics, polymer chemistry, and textiles. Thus, this system has the potential to foster a variety of interdisciplinary research programs at The University of Akron. In particular, understanding the mechanical performance and molecular structure of spider silks is of great interest to members of both the Departments of Biology and of Polymer Science. Thus, the Nano Bionix will create a foundation for collaborative research on these biological super fibers. The unique combination of capabilities offered by the Nano Bionix system will also benefit a variety of researchers from surrounding institutions for projects including nanocomposite fibers, natural and synthetic textiles, and biological materials. Thus, the system will serve to strengthen collaborative relationships among institutions in a part of the United State that has historically played an important role in the development and production of a variety of manmade polymer materials. The Nano Bionix operates with an exceptionally easy user interface. This makes the system a very practical tool for use by undergraduate and graduate students. Thus, the Nano Bionix will help to train students in biomechanics and materials science, preparing them for a variety of careers in research and industry. It will also facilitate the development of an inquiry based laboratory exercise for introductory biology students that focuses upon spider silk biomechanics. Many of the proposed research projects that would utilize the Nano Bionix have close ties to industry or technology such that students involved in those projects will gain first hand exposure to the essential relationship that basic scientific research has with human progress. More than half of these students, within the Department of Biology, are women and over 30% are underrepresented minorities. Thus, this Nano Bionix test system will foster the twin goals of providing a unique enhancement to northeastern Ohio's research infrastructure and of educating students in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment.