MRI: Acquisition of a Molecular Imaging System to Continue Faculty & Student Research in an Interdisciplinary Biosystems and Engineering Research Program

弗吉尼亚州立大学生物系统与工程中心（CBE）描述了一项计划，该计划使用分子成像系统在跨学科生物系统与工程研究项目中继续教师和学生的研究和教学。提议的仪器是Agilent 5500原子力显微镜(AFM)/扫描探针显微镜（SPM）系统。目前，CBE有四名教员在材料科学、表面化学、纳米光刻、生物电子学、生物传感器、生物科学和定量纳米尺度测量领域进行研究项目。这些目前的研究项目涉及表面衍生化、表面污染、硅片缺陷检测、纳米粗糙度和定量以及金属表征等问题。我们的研究是在这些技术和学科之间的接口，如生物学，化学，纳米技术和工程。CBE进行基础研究，为未来生物电子检测设备的可预测设计和优化获得必要的知识。这项研究是一项全校范围的倡议，旨在加强该地区的生物科学/生物技术/半导体产业，它对那些寻求理解生物学，化学和工程学之间关系的学生和研究人员都有吸引力，以生产出最好的生物电子设备，以保护和改善个人健康和我们的环境。这些研究项目不仅对知识基础做出了重大贡献，而且还为未来的研究人员，我们的学生提供了最好的动态培训环境。因此，获得AFM/SPM系统将使我们的跨学科研究计划得以继续。弗吉尼亚州立大学（VSU）通过以下方式为学生提供了一个有利于教学和研究培训的环境：(a)我们的暑期研究项目，包括30多名少数民族学生；(b)我们的研究型本科实验课。拟议的原子力显微镜(AFM)/扫描探针显微镜（SPM）系统将通过新的课程内容和课程来加强本科课程。此外，它还将促进教师和本科生的研究，并在整个学年增加使用该仪器的学生和研究人员的数量。拟议的仪器还将为本科生提供必要的现代技术培训。增加使用仪器的结果将体现在我们的智力进步和为整个科学领域做出贡献的机会上。通过提供对仪器的访问，我们可以获得初步数据，这可以增加研究人员发表论文的可能性，获得外部资助，并与其他大学的研究人员进行更多的联合合作。VSU通过我们的动手教学和研究方法创造了所有学生都能成功的环境。因此，获得现代仪器确保我们的学生将准备参与这个令人兴奋的领域，并通过扩大少数民族本科生的工程研究经验来建立能力。

The Virginia State University's Center for Biosystems and Engineering (CBE) describes a plan to use a molecular imaging system to continue faculty & student research and teaching in an interdisciplinary biosystems and engineering research program. The proposed instrument is the Agilent 5500 Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)/ Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) system. Currently, the CBE has research projects conducted by four faculty members in the areas of material science, surface chemistry, nanolithography, bioelectronics, biosensors, bioscience, and quantitative nanoscale measurements. These current research projects are addressing questions about surface derivatization, surface contamination, defect inspection of silicon chips, nano roughness and quantitation, and characterization of metals. Our research is at the interface between these technologies and disciplines such as biology, chemistry, nanotechnology, and engineering. The CBE conducts fundamental studies for gaining the knowledge necessary for the predictable design and optimization of future bioelectronic detection devices. The research is a university-wide initiative to strengthen the area's bioscience/biotechnology/semiconductor industry and it is attractive to both students and researchers who are seeking an understanding of the relationships between biology, chemistry, and engineering to produce the best bioelectronic devices to protect and improve the health of individuals and our environment. The research programs not only contribute significantly to the knowledge base, but also provide the best possible dynamic training environments for future researchers, our students. Thus, the acquisition of the AFM/SPM system will allow for the continuation of our interdisciplinary research program.Virginia State University (VSU) provides an environment conducive to teaching and research training for our students through (a) our summer research program that includes over 30 minority students and (b) our researched-based undergraduate laboratory classes. The proposed Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)/ Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) system will enhance the undergraduate program through new course contents and curriculum. In addition, it will promote faculty and undergraduate research and increase the number of students and researchers using this instrument throughout the academic year. The proposed instrument will also offer necessary training in modern technology to undergraduate students. The result of increased use of the instrument will be manifested in our intellectual progression and an opportunity to contribute to the overall scientific field. By providing access to the instrumentation, we can obtain preliminary data, which can increase the likelihood for the researchers to publish, procure external funding, and engage in more joint collaboration with researchers from other universities. VSU creates environments where all our students can succeed through our hands-on approach to teaching and research. Thus access to modern instrumentation insures that our students will be prepared to take part in this exciting field and build capacity by broadening the engineering research experience for minority undergraduates.