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

授予塔斯基吉大学的这一奖项支持采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职员工及其来自其他机构的合作者的研究，还将支持当地行业的研究。有了这台仪器的能力，塔斯基吉的研究人员将对各种纳米颗粒的合成有更深入的了解，包括那些来自自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和工程的前沿研究。这一仪器与塔斯基吉大学现有的其他最先进的设施一起，将推动该大学努力招聘和培养大量从本科到博士的少数民族毕业生。这些毕业生将有助于为国家先进的技术劳动力带来亟需的多样性。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所有科学和工程研究生课程的教育相结合；(2)在历史悠久的黑人大学发展纳米材料研究；以及(3)为K-12学生和教师开发显微镜教学模块。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强制纺丝合成，b)金属、金属氧化物涂层的碳纳米管在尼龙-6聚合物单纤维中的排列并研究抗菌/抗真菌应用，c)研究碱处理对天然纤维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充，e)在癌症研究中的FE-SEM的使用，和f)纳米颗粒的医药应用研究：利用纳米颗粒改善钙的口服吸收。FE-SEM的收购还将使从事材料研究的教职员工和学生在纳米水平上更好地了解材料的行为。这些设备还将用于开发新的纳米材料课程以及材料科学和工程部赞助的各种外联活动。

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.