MRI: Acquisition of a Powder X-Ray Diffractometer for Research and Undergraduate Research Training

0922588OertelOberlin学院“该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。”技术摘要：粉末x射线衍射是表征固体结构最有力的方法之一，是整个物理科学研究的基础。在拟议的项目中，Oberlin学院的化学和生物化学系、物理和天文学以及地质系的教师和本科生将获得并使用一台新的衍射仪。该仪器将结合可靠的高质量散装粉末样品衍射数据收集和先进的变温度、薄膜和小角度x射线散射实验能力。衍射仪将影响范围广泛的学生和教师的研究项目。新合成的具有潜在催化和储氢应用的无机-有机杂化材料将被识别，并探索其结构随温度的变化。有机酸侵蚀铅锡合金形成的薄腐蚀膜将作为多学科研究的一部分进行分析，以了解历史上风琴管退化的原因和机制。用于数据存储和生物医学应用的纳米结构磁性材料将使用该仪器的x射线衍射和小角度x射线散射能力进行表征。小多肽的多晶样品的x射线衍射将补充溶液态和固态核磁共振测定其首选的低能结构。矿物的多晶态将被研究，提供对从它们被提取的俯冲带的地球动力学的洞察。除了为本科生提供先进技术的培训外，该仪器将被整合到所有三个合作部门的中级和高级实验室课程中。非技术摘要：常见的材料有多少种？包括金属、聚合物和矿物？具有由原子或分子的重复模式组成的基本结构。粉末x射线衍射和相关的x射线散射技术可以确定这些原子在纳米长度尺度上的排列。这些结构的知识对于开发新材料和应用以及理解材料随时间变化的地质和化学过程至关重要。在拟议的项目中，将获得一台新的粉末x射线衍射仪，供奥柏林学院化学和生物化学系、物理和天文学以及地质系的教师和本科生使用。五名主要研究人员，包括两名在过去四年内聘用的教员，在标准和专业x射线技术方面拥有专业知识。新仪器将有助于他们在磁性、催化和储氢应用的新材料合成方面的研究；多肽详细结构的测定？一些最基本的生物材料；对俯冲带地质过程的认识；保护因大气腐蚀而受损的历史悠久的管风琴管道。x射线衍射仪将加强奥柏林大学正在进行的整合教学和研究的努力。从事研究的本科生将接受当代先进材料表征技术的培训。该仪器将用于所有化学、物理和地质学专业的实验课程，这是一个多元化的群体，包括许多继续攻读物理科学研究生院的学生。

0922588OertelOberlin College"This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5)."Technical Abstract: Powder X-ray diffraction is one of the most powerful methods of characterizing the structures of solids and is fundamental to research across the physical sciences. Within the proposed project, a new diffractometer will be acquired and used by faculty and undergraduate students from the departments of chemistry and biochemistry, physics and astronomy, and geology at Oberlin College. This instrument will combine reliable collection of high-quality diffraction data for bulk powder samples with advanced capabilities for variable temperature, thin film, and small-angle X-ray scattering experiments. The diffractometer will impact a wide range of student-faculty research projects. Newly synthesized hybrid inorganic-organic materials with potential catalytic and hydrogen-storage applications will be identified and their structural changes probed as a function of temperature. Thin corrosion films formed by organic acid attack on lead-tin alloys will be analyzed as part of multidisciplinary research to understand the causes and mechanisms of historic organ pipe degradation. Nanostructured magnetic materials for data storage and biomedical applications will be characterized using both the X-ray diffraction and small-angle X-ray scattering capabilities of the instrument. X-ray diffraction of polycrystalline samples of small peptides will complement solution-state and solid-state NMR determination of their preferred, low-energy structures. Mineral polymorphs will be studied, providing insight into the geodynamics of the subduction zones from which they are extracted. In addition to providing training in advanced techniques to undergraduate research students, the instrument will be integrated into the intermediate and upper-level laboratory curricula in all three collaborating departments.Non-Technical Abstract: Many classes of commonly encountered materials ? including metals, polymers, and minerals ? have underlying structures made up of repeating patterns of atoms or molecules. Powder X-ray diffraction and related X-ray scattering techniques can determine the arrangements of these atoms on nanometer length scales. Knowledge of these structures is essential in developing new materials and applications as well as in understanding geologic and chemical processes through which materials change over time. Within the proposed project, a new powder X-ray diffractometer will be acquired and used by faculty and undergraduate students in the departments of chemistry and biochemistry, physics and astronomy, and geology at Oberlin College. The five principal investigators, including two faculty members hired within the last four years, have expertise in standard and specialized X-ray techniques. The new instrument will contribute to their research in the synthesis of new materials with magnetic, catalytic, and hydrogen-storage applications; the determination of the detailed structures of peptides ? some of the most basic biological materials; the understanding of the geological processes occurring in subduction zones; and the conservation of historic organ pipes that are damaged by atmospheric corrosion. The X-ray diffractometer will enhance ongoing efforts to integrate teaching and research at Oberlin. Undergraduate students engaged in research will receive training in contemporary, advanced techniques for materials characterization. The instrument will be used in laboratory coursework by all chemistry, physics, and geology majors, a diverse group including many students who go on to graduate school in the physical sciences.