MRI: Acquisition of a Scanning Probe Microscope System for the Core University Research Resources Laboratory (CURRL) at New Mexico State University

该奖项授予新墨西哥州立大学(NMSU)，以表彰其获得最先进的高分辨率原子力显微镜(AFM)系统。该仪器将安装在一个容易接近的中央核心设施中，该设施支持NMSU主校园和五所卫星社区学院。原子力显微镜是通过位相成像或力成像来表征纳米尺度表面形貌的不可或缺的工具。它将加强纳米结构材料的过程开发和分析，并为探索复杂的物理-化学、生物和农业系统的特定和动态相互作用提供新的资源。一个由工程学院、艺术与科学学院、农业、消费者与环境科学学院的初级和高级教员组成的多学科小组将利用AFM的独特能力，扩大他们在纳米科学和纳米技术方面的调查和教学。将直接受益于该仪器的具体研究项目包括非金属(如石墨烯)、金属、金属氧化物、氮化物、碳化物及其纳米复合材料的薄膜形态；纳米材料的表面功能化和材料表面的微结构变化；软生物和农业材料的成像；可寻址阵列平台上的电化学调查；以及材料的光学、磁性和电学性质等。位于中心位置的仪器将显著提高一百多名教职员工和学生的研究能力和能力广度。此外，这种现代AFM还包括多学科应用的易用性和多功能性的设计特点，以促进高质量的教育培训，并将用于学生培训、课堂演示和赞助研讨会。这个项目在课堂和研究实验室之间架起了一座桥梁。将管理核心设施中的现代AFM与为多学科用户群建立的非正式和正式培训相结合，将对新墨西哥州南部、边境地区和其他地区的纳米科学和微观成像研究和教育产生积极影响。

This award to New Mexico State University (NMSU) is for the acquisition of a state-of-the-art high resolution atomic force microscope (AFM) system. The instrument will be installed in a readily-accessible centralized core facility that supports the NMSU main campus and five satellite community colleges. AFM is an indispensable tool in characterizing surface topography on the nanoscale via phase or force imaging. It will enhance process development and analysis of nanostructured materials as well as provide a new resource to probe specific and dynamic interactions of complex physic-chemical, biological, and agricultural systems. A multidisciplinary group of junior and senior faculty from the Colleges of Engineering; Arts and Sciences; and Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences with active research programs will expand their investigations and teaching into nanoscience and nanotechnology by employing the unique capabilities of the AFM. Specific research projects that will directly benefit from the instrument include thin film morphology of nonmetals (such as graphene), metals, metal-oxides, nitrides, carbides, and their nanocomposites; surface functionalization of nanomaterials and microstructural changes in material surfaces; imaging in soft biological and agricultural materials; electrochemical investigation on addressable array platforms; and, optical, magnetic, and electrical properties of materials, etc. The new AFM will impact not only the specific research programs, but also help to catalyze and promote a broader, college-wide initiative in materials research and education at NMSU. The centrally-located instrument will significantly enhance the research and breadth of capabilities of more than one-hundred faculty, staff, and students. In addition, this modern AFM includes design features for ease-of-use and versatility for multi-disciplinary applications that facilitate high quality educational training and will be used for student training, classroom demonstrations, and sponsored workshops. This project bridges the gap between the classroom and the research lab. The combination of a modern AFM in a managed core facility with established informal and formal training for a multi-disciplinary user base will have a positive impact on nanoscience and microscopic imaging research and education in southern New Mexico, the borderland region, and beyond.