MRI: Acquisition of an inverted optical microscope to enable interdisciplinary research that unites five departments within the Union College Nanoscience Program

这个倒置光学显微镜的奖项将使联合学院五个不同部门的研究得以开展，包括生物、化学、物理、电气和机械工程。这种新仪器与现有的原子力显微镜（AFM）集成在一起，可以在受控的环境条件（温度和湿度）下同时收集荧光和形态数据。新的集成系统将用于：1)研究软材料（半晶聚合物和聚合物纳米复合材料）的原位相变和力学性能，以了解界面在相变和增强机制中的作用；2)探讨异质界面对光电流的影响，以提高聚合物/CdSe/粘土太阳能薄膜的光效；3)研究受控环境条件对传感应用中纳米材料导电性的影响；4)研究人促卵泡激素细胞膜受体与细胞内蛋白的相互作用，更好地了解受体功能障碍在不孕症中的作用；5)研究糖水解和脂肪开花过程中巧克力的形态变化；6)研究视觉标记（量子点）在绘画和建筑保护中的渗透深度；7)扩展了一套新颖的图形技术，用于集成光学/AFM图像的短距离和远距离模式识别。综合光学/AFM系统将支持联合学院长期以来的承诺，即将本科生的研究经验作为课程的组成部分，并通过主动学习（包括仪器的实践经验）开发创新的多学科研究和教学机会。拟议的工具将赋予教师研究和项目以课程和研究实验室之间的桥梁。提高学生在关键材料表征技术方面的专业知识，将促进专业发展，并为科学和技术提供就业机会。联合学院致力于将传统上代表性不足的群体的学生纳入使用拟议仪器和其他主要研究仪器的研究和教育项目中。拟议的仪器将成为正在进行的动态外展计划的一个组成部分，该计划利用科学和技术的前沿，通过艺术、食品科学和为高中学生和教师设计的“物理常数”研讨会等应用，吸引公众。

This award for an inverted optical microscope will enable research across five different departments at Union College including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. This new instrument, integrated with an existing atomic force microscope (AFM), offers simultaneous collection of fluorescence and morphological data under controlled environmental conditions (temperature and humidity). The new integrated system will be used to: 1) study in-situ phase transitions and mechanical properties of soft materials (semi-crystalline polymers and polymer nanocomposites) in order to understand the role of interface in phase transition and reinforcement mechanisms; 2) probe the influence of domain heterointerfaces on photocurrents to improve photoefficiences in polymer/CdSe/clay solar films; 3) investigate the influence of controlled environmental conditions on conduction in nanomaterials for sensing applications; 4) study interactions between the human follicle stimulating hormone receptor at the cell membrane with intracellular proteins to better understand receptor dysfunction in infertility; 5) investigate morphological changes during sucrose hydrolysis and fat bloom in chocolates; 6) study the depth of penetration of visual markers (quantum-dots) for painting and architectural conservation; and, 7) extend a suite of novel graphical techniques for short and long range pattern recognition in integrated optical/AFM images.The integrated optical/AFM system will support Union College's long-standing commitment to incorporate undergraduate research experience as an integral part of the curriculum and develop innovative, multidisciplinary research and teaching opportunities through active learning that includes hands-on experience in instrumentation. The proposed instrument will empower faculty research and programs that feature bridges between courses and research laboratories. Enhanced student expertise with key materials characterization techniques will promote professional development and open career opportunities in science and technology. Union College is committed to including students from traditionally underrepresented groups in research and educational projects using the proposed instrument and other major research instrumentation. The proposed instrument will be an integral part of the ongoing dynamic outreach programs that use frontiers of science and technology to engage the general public through applications including arts, food science, and their 'Physical Constants' workshop designed for high school students and teachers.