MRI: Aquisition of Atomic Force Microscope to Advance Texas State University Materials Research

非技术：这项主要研究仪器（MRI）拨款授予位于圣马科斯的德克萨斯州立大学（TxState），为购买原子力显微镜（AFM）提供资金。这种高分辨率仪器提高了德克萨斯州立大学的研究和教育能力，这是一所西班牙裔服务机构。由于AFM数据是高度可视化的，非科学家也可以访问结果，因此将吸引尚未致力于STEM的学生。拟议的仪器收购将立即影响到58名学生和博士后（在仪器的使用寿命期间还有数百名额外的用户）。在德州州立大学，55%的学生和博士后在理工科专业的比例不足，这项工具的加入将对学生群体的多样化以及培养他们的机构产生长期影响。此外，这次收购特别加强了nsf资助的PREM材料界面中心的研究活动（PREM：材料研究和教育伙伴关系）。PREM中心的一个主要目标是增加代表性不足的少数民族在材料研究中的参与。该仪器的数据将影响旨在丰富我们生活的能源和医疗相关研究项目。技术：原子力显微镜（AFM）是一种扫描探针技术，可以在纳米尺度上识别表面特征。AFM将被位于圣马科斯的德克萨斯州立大学（TxState）用于推进基础表面科学及其在能源和生物材料相关研究课题中的应用。具体来说，这次收购AFM车间生命科学AFM将影响以下材料研究领域：1)纳米复合材料，2)光活性生物偶联物的自组装，3)用于能量存储和转换的纳米材料，4)金属超分子组装，5)钙钛矿太阳能电池，以及6)刺激响应生物材料。

Non-technical: This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant awarded to Texas State University at San Marcos (TxState) provides funding for the acquisition of an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). This high-resolution instrument enhances the research and educational capabilities at TxState, a Hispanic Serving Institution. Because AFM data is highly visual, the results are accessible to non-scientists and will thus engage students not already committed to STEM. The proposed instrument acquisition will immediately impact 58 students and postdocs upon acquisition (with hundreds of additional users over the lifespan of the instrument). The addition of this tool to TxState, where 55% of the students and postdocs are underrepresented in science and engineering, will have a long-term impact on a diverse population of students and the institution in which they are trained. In addition, this acquisition strengthens, in particular, the research activities of the NSF-funded PREM Center on Interfaces in Materials (PREM: Partnerships in Research and Education in Materials). A primary goal of the PREM Center is to increase the participation of underrepresented minorities in materials research. Data from this instrument will impact energy and medical-related research projects that are intended to enrich our lives. Technical: Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) is a scanning probe technology that identifies surface features at the nanometer scale. AFM will be used by Texas State University at San Marcos (TxState) to advance fundamental surface science and applications in energy and biomaterials-related research topics. Specifically, this acquisition of a AFM Workshop Life Sciences AFM will impact the following materials research areas: 1) nanocomposites, 2) self-assembly of photoactive bioconjugates, 3) nanomaterials for energy storage and conversion, 4) metallo-supramolecular assembly, 5) perovskite solar cells, and 6) stimuli-responsive biomaterials.