MRI:Acquisition of an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope

技术摘要。德克萨斯大学泛美分校(UTPA)长期以来一直被认为是一所为少数族裔提供服务的教学机构，但它正在经历一场转型，以加强校园研究。收购环境扫描电子显微镜将扩大参与者的研究范围，以新的和新的方向解决当前和新的科学问题。具体地说，拟议的设备将支持促进纳米纤维/纳米线的加工、开发和表征、智能材料的开发和表征、纳米增强材料(包括通过在选定的聚合物基质中分散不同功能的纳米颗粒而获得的聚合物基纳米复合材料)和功能化纳米孔材料的项目。将研究纳米粒子的化学修饰及其对纳米增强材料物理性能的影响，对纳米膜(包括纳米复合材料和纳米流体)取向的影响，以及复杂流体、聚合物和纳米增强材料的扩散过程和溶解度的影响。这些活动涵盖了化学、物理以及机械、电气和制造工程等广泛的课程。德克萨斯大学泛美分校(UTPA)长期以来一直被认为是一所服务于少数族裔的教学机构，它正在经历一场将加强校园研究的转型。UTPA正在快速增长，支持和发展教师研究事业的需求已经增强。众所周知，通过提供最先进的研究机会和对本科生(UG)的重要指导和监督，有可能鼓励他们攻读研究生和/或更好地将他们培养成行业领袖。这笔赠款将为促进UTPA和其他机构之间的多学科合作奠定坚实的基础。目前在纳米增强复合材料、智能材料和功能化纳米多孔材料的开发和表征方面的研究工作，以及通过新开发的工艺生产的非织造纳米纤维/纳米线垫(具有潜在应用，如组织支架、伤口敷料、过滤、选择性渗透膜、柔性电池和化学和生物防护服等)的开发工作，由于缺乏所需的环境扫描电子显微镜(ESEM)而受到阻碍。由于UTPA不是授予博士学位的机构，大多数项目将由UG和M.S.学生进行，其中85%是西班牙裔，体验最先进研究的机会有限。环境扫描研究所将加强现有的课程，并将因这笔资金而开发更多的课程。该仪器将促进与小企业的合作研究，以及与格兰德河谷当地制造实体的培训计划，其中一个重要部分致力于聚合物行业。该项目包括为K-12学生举办的一项令人兴奋的活动，名为“小到什么程度”。

Technical Summary. The University of Texas Pan American (UTPA), long respected as a teaching institution serving underrepresented minorities, is undergoing a transition to enhance research on campus. The acquisition of the Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope will broaden the research scope of participants to address current and new scientific problems in novel and fresh directions. Specifically, the proposed equipment will support projects to advance processing, development and characterization of nanofibers/nanowires, development and characterization of smart materials, nanoreinforced materials (including polymer based nanocomposite materials obtained by dispersing nanoparticles with different functionalities within selected polymeric matrices) and functionalized nanoporous materials. Investigations on the chemical modifications of nanoparticles and their effect on the physical properties of nanoreinforced materials, on the effect of the orientation of nanofillers (including nanocomposites and nano laden fluids), and the diffusion processes and solubility of complex fluids, polymers, and nanoreinforced materials will be studied. The activities cover a wide spectrum of programs in Chemistry, Physics, and Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering.Layman Summary. The University of Texas Pan American (UTPA), long respected as a teaching institution serving underrepresented minorities, is undergoing a transition that will enhance research on campus. UTPA is growing at a fast pace and the need to support and develop faculty research careers has intensified. It is well known that by providing state-of-the-art research opportunities and by significant mentoring and supervision to undergraduates (UG), it is possible to encourage them to pursue graduate school and/or better train them as leaders in industry. This grant will be a strong foundation in fostering multidisciplinary collaborations within UTPA and among other institutions. Current research efforts in the development and characterization of nanoreinforced composites, smart materials, and functionalized nanoporous materials, as well as the development of nonwoven nanofibers/nanowires mats (with potential applications as tissue scaffolds, wound dressing, filtration, selective permeability membranes, flexible batteries, and chemical and biological protective clothing to mention some) produced by a newly developed process are hindered by the lack of the requested Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM). Since UTPA is a non PhD granting institution, most of the projects will be carried out by UG and M.S. students, 85 percent of whom are Hispanic and have had limited opportunities to experience state of the art research. The ESEM will strengthen existent courses and several more will be developed as a result of this funding. The instrument will foster collaborative research with small businesses as well as, training programs with the Rio Grande Valley's local manufacturing entities, an important segment of which is dedicated to the polymer industry. The project includes an exciting activity for K-12 students called "How Small is SMALL."