MRI: Acquisition of an Atomic Force Microscope for Fundamental Research in Engineering, Biochemistry and Biology at Gonzaga University

这项主要研究仪器奖支持在冈萨加大学获得最先进的原子力显微镜（AFM），该显微镜提供了精确测量纳米尺度特征、变形和力以及表面化学和机械性能的能力。这些能力使冈萨加大学在众多多学科研究领域进行基础科学研究，包括尖端纳米级增材制造、纳米级摩擦学和材料科学、生物成像和有机生物力学。从这项研究中产生的知识可以促进新型先进纳米结构材料和新的纳米级传感器和设备制造方法的发展。对生物物理大分子相互作用的研究可以导致对生物和生态系统如何运作的新认识。AFM将被整合到课程中，让本科生参与多学科、实验纳米科学和动手的本科生研究。该工具将加强冈萨加大学在大斯波坎和东华盛顿地区的推广工作，包括与地区学校、大学和当地工业的合作伙伴关系。通过行业合作伙伴关系，学生的参与直接有助于提高美国未来几代劳动力的技能。该AFM能够成像各种尺寸的样品，同时保持0.1nm的横向和纵向分辨率，以及100pN的在法向和横向力分辨率。AFM还配备了允许在精确控制的温度下（在1摄氏度和高达300摄氏度）测量静态或连续液体流动，以及执行精确的纳米机械和电导率测量。这些能力将使人们对纳米颗粒在溶液中与基底在滑动运动下相互作用的机制（物理和化学）有一个基本的理解，从而导致功能性纳米结构的生长。这些发现将加速新型纳米和微尺度机电设备在医疗保健和自动化领域的潜在应用。使用AFM的测量也将有助于建立在滑动运动下形成的纳米级薄膜的机械性能与其摩擦和磨损性能之间的基本关系。这些结构-性能关系将使先进润滑剂材料的设计成为可能，对工业和运输系统的效率和可靠性产生变革性影响。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This Major Research Instrumentation award supports the acquisition of a state-of-the-art atomic force microscope (AFM) at Gonzaga University, which provides the ability to accurately measure nanoscale features, deformations and forces, as well as surface chemical and mechanical properties. These capabilities enable fundamental scientific investigations in a myriad of multi-disciplinary research areas at Gonzaga, which include tip-based nanoscale additive manufacturing, nanoscale tribology and materials science, biological imaging and organismal biomechanics. The knowledge generated from this research could catalyze development of novel advanced nanostructured materials and new nanoscale manufacturing methods for sensors and devices. Research on biophysical macromolecular interactions could lead to a new understanding of how biological and ecological systems function. The AFM will be integrated into the curriculum to involve undergraduate students in multidisciplinary, experimental nanoscience and hands-on undergraduate research. The instrument will enhance Gonzaga University's outreach efforts within the greater Spokane and Eastern Washington area, including collaborative partnerships with regional schools, universities and local industry. Student involvement through industry partnerships directly contributes to enhancing skills of future generations of the U.S. workforce.This AFM is capable of imaging samples of various sizes while maintaining a lateral and vertical resolution of 0.1nm, and a force resolution of 100pN in both normal and lateral directions. The AFM is furthermore equipped to allow measurements in static or continuous liquid flow at precisely controlled temperatures (within 1 degree C and up to 300 degrees C) as well as performing accurate nanomechanical and electrical conductivity measurements. These capabilities will enable the development of a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms (physical and chemical) by which nanoparticles in solution interact with substrates under sliding motion, resulting in the growth of functional nanostructures. These findings will accelerate development of novel nano and microscale electromechanical devices with potential applications in healthcare and automation. Measurements using the AFM will also help to establish fundamental relationships between mechanical properties of nanoscale films that form under sliding motion, and their friction and wear properties. These structure-property relationships will enable the design of advanced lubricant materials, with transformative impact on efficiency and reliability of industrial and transportation systems.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.