MRI: Acquisition of a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope for Research and Educational Training in Microscopic Characterization of Nanomaterials

该奖项塔斯基吉大学支持收购场发射扫描电子显微镜，这将加强该大学在新兴纳米技术领域的研究能力。这种最先进的设备不仅将支持塔斯基吉的教师和他们的合作者从其他机构的研究，但也当地行业。借助该仪器的能力，塔斯基吉研究人员将对各种纳米颗粒的合成有更深入的了解，包括那些来自天然来源的纳米颗粒及其在宿主聚合物和生物细胞中的分散。研究生和本科生将参与纳米材料科学与工程的前沿研究。这一仪器沿着塔斯基吉大学现有的其他最先进的设施，将促进该大学招聘和培训大量少数民族毕业生的努力，从本科到博士。这些毕业生将有助于为国家的先进技术劳动力带来急需的多样性。拟议的研究和仪器将通过以下方式对教育和人力资源开发产生重大影响：（1）将纳米技术研究与塔斯基吉大学科学与工程专业的所有研究生课程的教育相结合;（2）在历史上的黑人大学发展纳米材料研究;（3）为K-12学生和教师开发显微镜教学模块。少数民族学生毕业时接触到使用该设备的分析技术，将增强技术劳动力急需的多样性。该仪器支持的研究包括：a）用于组织工程应用的纳米纤维垫的力纺合成，B）在尼龙-6聚合物单纤维中排列金属、金属氧化物涂覆的碳纳米管并研究抗微生物/抗真菌应用，c）研究天然纤维的碱处理对开发可生物降解复合材料的影响，d）从天然来源如稻壳和甘蔗渣合成二氧化硅用于聚合物填料，e）FE-SEM在癌症研究中的用途，和f）纳米颗粒的药物应用的研究：使用纳米颗粒改善钙的口服吸收。FE-SEM的收购还将使参与材料研究的教师和学生能够更好地了解纳米级的材料行为。该设备还将有助于开发纳米材料新课程和材料科学与工程系主办的各种外联活动。

This award to Tuskegee University supports the acquisition of a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope which will strengthen the university's research capabilities in the emerging field of nanotechnology. This state of art equipment will support the research of not only Tuskegee's faculty and their collaborators from other institutions but also the local industry. With the capabilities of this instrument Tuskegee researchers will develop a deeper understanding of synthesis of various nanoparticles, including those derived from natural sources and their dispersion in host polymers and biological cells. Graduate and undergraduate students will be involved in cutting-edge research in nanomaterials science and engineering. This instrument along with other state-of-the-art facilities which exist at Tuskegee University will boost the university's efforts to recruit and train a large number of minority graduates, undergraduate through Ph.D. These graduates will help bring much-needed diversity to the nation's advanced technological workforce. The proposed research and instrumentation will have significant impact in education and human resources development through: (1) integration of nanotechnology research with education in all graduate programs program in Science and Engineering at Tuskegee University; (2)development of nanomaterials research at a Historically Black University; and (3) develop microscopy teaching modules for K-12 students and teachers. The minority students who graduate with an exposure to the analytical techniques using this equipment will enhance the much needed diversity in the technological workforce.The research supported by this instrument include: a) Force Spinning Synthesis of Nanofiber Mats for Tissue Engineering Applications, b) Alignment of metal, metal oxide coated carbon nanotubes in Nylon-6 polymer single fibers and study antimicrobial/antifungal applications, c) Study the effect of alkali treatment of natural fibers for developing biodegradable composites, d) Synthesis of silica from natural sources such as rice husk and sugar cane bagasse for polymer fillers, e) Use of FE-SEM in Cancer research, and f) Study of the pharmaceutical applications of nanoparticles: Improvement of oral absorption of calcium using nanoparticles. The acquisition of the FE-SEM will also allow faculty and students involved in materials research to develop a better understanding of the material behavior at the nanometer level. The equipment will also be useful in the development of new courses in nanomaterials and various outreach activities sponsored by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.