Acquisition of Nanoindentation Facility

该奖项为购买原子力显微镜（AFM）提供资金，以支持马萨诸塞州大学达特茅斯（UMassD）在纳米和材料生物力学领域的当前研究和教学活动。 原子力显微镜使我们能够以亚纳米分辨率了解各种纳米结构材料和生物结构的表面形貌。 通过使用超硬蓝宝石悬臂梁，它还可用于对聚合物、碳纳米管和纳米纤维进行压痕研究。 该系统由PicoSPM II显微镜和具有闭环功能的电子器件、具有X、Y、Z闭环电路的大型多用途扫描仪、具有计算机工作站的Picoscan控制器和金刚石尖蓝宝石悬臂梁组成。 收购的设备将涵盖机械工程，材料纺织工程，生物医学工程生物技术，土木工程和化学生物化学领域的广泛研究计划。 研究活动将集中在各种材料的纳米级研究，如纤维增强聚合物复合材料，粘合剂，智能纺织品，纳米纤维支架，活细胞，离子交换纤维，以及肉毒杆菌神经毒素整合在神经膜中的分子机制。 共享和协调使用拟议的原子力显微镜将扩大研究活动的范围，并促进上述部门在新兴的纳米和生物技术领域的潜在合作。 由于UMASD的研究生课程处于起步阶段，因此有必要建立研究基础设施并建立声誉。 原子力显微镜将是一个关键的收购，使所有上述部门的教师目前的实力，在纳米和材料的生物力学领域的一个新的水平。 提出的多功能纳米压痕仪的主要影响在于使用它来提供研究培训和教育的机会，本科生和研究生。 本科生将获得研究机会，通过使用拟议设备的研究项目来支持他们。 研究生将全职参与研究活动，使用拟议的设备和工作对他们的论文。UMassD将把拟议设备的收购所产生的研究计划纳入新生暑期研究所（FSI），这是一个现有的预备和推广计划，有前途的当地大学高中毕业生将与教职员工一起研究工作项目。

This award provides fund for the acquisition of an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) to support current research and teaching activities in the areas of nano and biomechanics of materials at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (UMassD). An AFM allows us to understand surface topography of various nanostructured materials and biological structures at sub-nanometer resolution. With the use of ultra-stiff sapphire cantilever, it can also be used to perform indentation studies on polymers, carbon nanotubes and nanofibers. The proposed system consists of PicoSPM II microscope and electronics with closed-loop capability, large multi-purpose scanner with X, Y, Z closed-loop circuitry, Picoscan controller with computer workstation and diamond tipped sapphire cantilever. The acquired equipment will cover a wide spectrum of research programs in areas of Mechanical Engineering, Materials & Textiles Engineering, Biomedical Engineering & Biotechnology, Civil Engineering, and Chemistry & Biochemistry. Research activities will focus on nano-scale investigation of various kinds of materials such as fiber-reinforced polymer composites, adhesive bonds, smart textiles, nanofibrous scaffolds, living cells, ion exchange fibers, and molecular mechanisms of Botulinum neurotoxin integration in nerve membrane. The shared and well-coordinated use of the proposed atomic force microscope will expand the scope of the research activities and promote potential collaborations among the above mentioned departments in the emerging areas of nano and biotechnologies at UMassD. Since the graduate programs at UMassD are in their infancy, it is necessary to establish a research infrastructure and build a reputation. The AFM will be a key acquisition to bring the current strength of the faculty of all above departments to a new level in the areas of nano and biomechanics of materials. The major impact of proposed multi-functional nanoindentation instrument lies in using it to provide research training and education opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduate students will be given research opportunities by supporting them through research projects using the proposed equipment. Graduate students will be involved full-time in research activities using proposed equipment and work towards their thesis. UMassD will incorporate the research programs resulting from the acquisition of proposed equipment into the Freshman Summer Institute (FSI), an existing preparatory and outreach program where promising local college bound high school graduates study with faculty members on working projects.