MRI: Acquisition of a Small Angle X-Ray Scattering System for the Characterization of Nanoscale Structures

该奖项授予马里兰州大学帕克分校，用于收购小角X射线散射（SAXS）系统，用于表征材料中的纳米级结构。 纳米级表征是设计新材料的关键步骤，这些材料应用于能源，微电子，民用基础设施，国防和健康等领域，并了解这些应用的基础科学。 SAXS仪器将允许在非常广泛的纳米结构材料中确定结构和功能之间的关系，部分列表包括：（i）用于广泛应用的纳米颗粒系统;（ii）RNA折叠、多结构域蛋白质和DNA/蛋白质复合物，（iii）新型嵌段共聚物结构和化学以及嵌段共聚物模板化结构，（iv）用于先进电池和燃料电池的纳米结构电极和（v）用于高灵敏度传感器的等离子体结构。 新的SAXS仪器将允许创建一个多用户校园和区域最先进的SAXS设施，用于纳米和生物科学的研究和教育。 该设施将有助于促进华盛顿大都市区的物理科学家、生物学家和工程师之间的互动。 该设施将进一步加强教育和推广工作，吸引高素质的学生和教师从事涉及纳米科学和技术的跨学科研究项目。

This award to the University of Maryland College Park is for the acquisition of a Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) system for the characterization of nanoscale structures in materials. Nanoscale characterization is a critical step in the design of new materials for applications in areas as diverse as energy, microelectronics, civil infrastructure, defense and health and for the understanding of the basic science underlying these applications. The SAXS instrumentation will allow the determination of the relationship between structure and function in a very broad range of nanostructured materials, a partial list includes: (i) nanoparticle systems for a broad range of applications; (ii) RNA folding, multi-domain protein and DNA/protein complexes, (iii) novel block copolymer architectures and chemistries and block copolymer templated structures, (iv) nanostructured electrodes for advanced batteries and fuel cells and (v) plasmonic structures for high sensitivity sensors. The new SAXS instrument will allow the creation of a multi-user campus and regional state-of-the-art SAXS facility for research and education in the nano- and bio-sciences. This facility will help to catalyze interactions among physical scientists, biologists, and engineers in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The facility will further enhance the education and outreach efforts by attracting highly qualified students and faculty to work on interdisciplinary research projects involving nanoscience and technology.