MRI: Acquisition of an Interfacial Characterization Lab for Biophysical and Biotechnology Systems in Research and Education

获得主要研究仪器项目（MRI）的奖金后，来自奥格斯堡学院的Benjamin L. Stottrup及其同事Ronald Fedie、Z. Vivian Feng、明尼苏达大学的Wang Ping和圣托马斯大学的Adam S. Green将获得Langmuir胶片平衡和成像系统。该提案旨在加强研究：(1)多组分相分离系统（即模型细胞膜）结构域形态学的基本问题；(2)开发可能影响行业的新产品表征指标；(3)聚合物偶联酶的包装；(4)生物材料的结构和行为，如蝴蝶翅膀。Lagmuir-Blodgett技术用于研究气-液、液-液或油水界面等两相之间的界面，并表征表面形貌。由此产生的信息被广泛应用于纳米技术、膜生物物理学、材料科学和流变学等领域，以了解乳化剂、酶聚集和薄膜等应用。该仪器将用于本科生和研究生在明尼阿波利斯/圣保罗地区机构的研究和课程工作，包括圣保罗社区学院。

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation program (MRI), Benjamin L. Stottrup and colleagues Ronald Fedie, and Z. Vivian Feng from Augsburg College, Ping Wang from the University of Minnesota and Adam S. Green from the University of St. Thomas will acquire a Langmuir film balance and imaging system. The proposal is aimed at enhancing research to investigate: (1) basic questions of domain morphology in multi-component phase separated systems, i.e., model cell membranes; (2) the development of new metrics for product characterization which could impact industry; (3) the packing of polymer conjugated enzymes; and (4) the structure and behavior of biogenic materials, such as butterfly wings.Lagmuir-Blodgett techniques are employed to study the interface between two phases such as air-liquid, liquid-liquid or oil-water interfaces and to characterize surface morphologies. The resulting information is used extensively in the fields of nanotechnology, membrane biophysics, materials science, and rheology to understand emulsifiers, enzyme congregation and thin films among other applications. The instrumentation will be used by undergraduates and graduate students in research and course work at institutions in the Minneapolis /St Paul area including Saint Paul community colleges.