MRI: Acquisition of a High Resolution Atomic Force Microscope for Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Research and Education at Fordham University

凭借主要研究仪器（MRI）和化学研究仪器和设施计划的这一奖项，来自福德姆大学的Ipsita Banerjee教授及其同事John McMahon，Stephen Holler，Petr Shibayev和Christopher Koenigsmann获得了高分辨率原子力显微镜（AFM）。与光学显微镜不同，AFM不使用光来创建图像。 原子力显微镜采用一种显微探针（针状装置），通过一个表面。当探头在表面上移动时，它会产生描述表面特性（硬度、粗糙度、裂纹、润湿性、弹性等）的电信号。 通过这种方式，它产生了表面的图像。该信息对于视觉上表征表面是重要的。原子力显微镜有助于理解为什么表面会发生化学反应，或者为什么表面不反应（惰性）。通常，AFM具有三种主要能力：力测量、成像和操作。原子力显微镜是开发用于燃料电池催化、增强型太阳能电池板和非常小的纳米颗粒传感器的新材料的重要工具，所有这些都依赖于特定的表面性质和形态。AFM用于表征生物组织、病毒和药物递送材料。该仪器用于本科研究项目，培训这些学生使用这种技术，并为他们未来在工作场所的技术职业生涯和科学，工程和医学领域的高级学位做好准备。该奖项旨在加强各级研究和教育，特别是在以下领域：（a）研究组织支架、蛋白质动力学和病毒纳米颗粒，（B）研究微腔光子学，（c）分析催化和燃料电池用纳米材料，（d）检查碘在银/银（Ag/AgI）燃料电池阴极处的氧还原的抑制中的作用，以及（e）研究刺激-响应性液晶和液晶聚合物。

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) and Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities Programs, Professor Ipsita Banerjee from Fordham University and colleagues John McMahon, Stephen Holler, Petr Shibayev and Christopher Koenigsmann have acquired a high resolution atomic force microscope (AFM). An AFM, unlike an optical microscope, does not use light to create an image. An AFM employs a microscopic probe (needle-like device) that passes over a surface. As the probe moves across the surface it generates electrical signals which describe the properties of the surface (hardness, roughness, cracks, wettability, elasticity, etc.). In this way, it produces an image of the surface. This information is important for visually characterizing the surface. AFM is useful for understanding why a chemical reaction may occur on the surface, or why the surface is unreactive (inert). In general, an AFM has three major abilities: force measurement, imaging, and manipulation. An AFM is an important tool in the development of novel materials for fuel cell catalysis, enhanced solar panels, and for very small nanoparticle sensors, all of which rely on specific surface properties and morphology. AFM is used to characterize biological tissue, viruses and drug delivery materials. The instrument is employed in undergraduate research projects training these students in the use of this technique and preparing them for future technological careers in the workplace and advanced degrees in science, engineering and medical fields. The award is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels, especially in areas such as (a) studying tissue scaffolds, protein dynamics and viral nanoparticles, (b) studying microcavity photonics, (c) analyzing nanomaterials for catalysis and fuel cells, (d) examining the role of iodine in the photocatalysis of oxygen reduction at a silver/silver iodide (Ag/AgI) fuel cell cathode and (e) studying stimuli-responsive liquid crystals and liquid crystalline polymers.