MRI: Acquisition of a Confocal Raman Microscope for Research and Training in Analytical/Materials Chemistry, Biochemistry and Geosciences

该奖项由重大研究仪器(MRI)和化学仪器计划资助。田纳西州立大学中部的Ngee-Sing Chong教授和他的同事Beng Guat Ooi、Charles Chusuei和Joe Collins正在获得一个共焦拉曼显微镜。拉曼显微镜使用激光扫描样品的表面。激光波长探测表面并产生光谱，识别材料中的化学成分。这提供了有关材料属性的有用信息。例如，该仪器用于研究纤维素的化学预处理，因为越来越多的人需要利用植物生物质来生产生物乙醇。通过将这一工具纳入研究生和本科生的课程，学生将接受研究生学习、在工业、学术界和国家实验室就业的培训。通过产学合作的研究活动也受益于使用该仪器的可用性。拉曼显微镜是一种强大的分析工具，可以定性和半定量地鉴定各种材料的化学成分。它正被用于许多重要的研究领域。对化学和生物传感器具有重要意义的碳纳米管的化学修饰正在研究中。研究了植物组织中木质纤维素的化学和物理处理条件对其生物降解性的影响。研究界面现象随温度变化的反应机理是当前的一个研究课题。芳香胺在细胞器中的DNA加合物形成是另一项正在进行的研究。酵母菌和真菌如何代谢糖、纤维素生物量和有机污染物以及简易生物燃料合成途径的研究正在进行中。另一个项目是对贝壳和贝壳回火陶器进行考古研究，以此作为来源研究的替代。其他与考古学相关的研究侧重于使用显微镜在小空间分辨率下分析易碎、易腐烂的古代材料(罐子中的残留物)，因为它是敏感的，本质上是非破坏性的。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力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 award is funded by the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) and Chemical Instrumentation programs. Professor Ngee-Sing Chong from Middle Tennessee State University and colleagues Beng Guat Ooi, Charles Chusuei and Joe Collins are acquiring a confocal Raman microscope. A Raman microscope uses a laser to scan the surface of a sample. The laser wavelengths probe the surface and produce a spectrum which identifies chemical components in the material. This gives useful information on the properties of the material. The instrument is used, for example, to study the chemical pretreatment of cellulose because of the increasing need for the utilization of plant biomass for bioethanol production. By incorporating this instrument in coursework both at the graduate and undergraduate levels, students are trained for post-graduate studies, employment in industry, academia and national laboratories. Research activities via industry-university collaborations also benefits from the availability to use the instrument. The Raman microscope is a powerful analytical tool for identifying chemical composition qualitatively and semi-quantitatively of various materials. It is being used in a number of important research areas. The chemical modification of carbon nanotubes important for chemical and biological sensors is being studied. How chemical and physical treatment conditions of lignocellulose in plant tissue influences its biodegradation is investigated. The study of reaction mechanisms of interfacial phenomena as a function of temperature is a current project. DNA adduct formation of aromatic amines in cell organelles is another study underway. Investigations of how yeasts and fungi metabolize sugars, cellulosic biomass, and organic contaminants as well as pathways for facile biofuel synthesis are under progress. Another project is carrying out archaeological studies of shells and shell-tempered pottery as a proxy for provenance studies. Other archeological-related research focuses on analyzing fragile, perishable, ancient materials (residues in pots) at small spatial resolutions using the microscope because it is sensitive, and non-destructive in nature.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.