MRI: Acquisition of a surface & sorption characterization instrument to enable multidisciplinary research at a rural West Texas HSI

该合同将为西德克萨斯农工大学（WTAMU）及其合作机构阿马里洛学院（AC）的研究和教育提供材料表面表征仪器，该学院位于德克萨斯州的农村狭长地区。这两个机构都是非博士学位授予机构，而WTAMU被指定为西班牙裔服务机构，西班牙裔人口占26%。所提出的仪器将能够量化高多孔材料和颗粒在受控温度和压力条件下暴露于气体时的表面和体积。来自两所大学的11名教师正在进行的研究将受益于该仪器，而30多名研究生和本科生将接触到前沿的表面科学研究。此外，超过170名学生将有机会通过计划的课程使用乐器。来自环境工程、机械工程、农业工程、化学和生物化学的团队计划使用Micrometrics 3Flex系统研究物理吸附和化学吸附现象。待探索的具体研究领域包括高多孔生物炭作为一种廉价的废水处理材料；小尺度大气纤维素在冰雹灾害中的作用提高甲醇燃料电池的可行性，在小空间内为电子产品和车辆产生高功率输出；提高对高能纳米材料的表面化学的理解，这些材料可以用作固体燃料、能量储存介质和炸药。此外，评估吸引西班牙裔学生参与科学和技术的最佳做法是拟议工作的一个重要方面。具体地说，包括西班牙裔学生在最先进的仪器和他们追求科学和技术主题的愿望将进行评估。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 award will the support acquisition of material surface characterization instrument for research and education at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) and the partner institution Amarillo College (AC), located in the rural Panhandle of Texas. Both institutions are non-PhD granting institutions, while WTAMU is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution with an overall Hispanic population of 26%. The proposed instrument will be able to quantify the surface and volume in highly porous materials and particles when exposed to gases under controlled temperature and pressure conditions. Ongoing research of 11 faculty members from both institutions will benefit from the instrument while over 30 graduate and undergraduate students will be exposed to cutting-edge surface science research. In addition, over 170 students will have an opportunity to use the instrument through planned coursework. The proposed team from environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, agricultural engineering, chemistry, and biochemistry plans to study physisorption and chemisorption phenomena using a Micrometrics 3Flex system. The specific research areas to be explored include highly porous biochar as an inexpensive material for treatment of wastewater; effect of small-scale atmospheric cellulose in hail storm damage; improving the viability of methanol fuel cells to produce high power output for electronics and vehicles in a small space; and increasing understanding of surface chemistry of high energy nanomaterials for use as solids fuel, energy storage media, and explosives. In addition, evaluation of best practices in engaging Hispanic students in science and technology is an important aspect of the proposed work. Specifically, inclusion of Hispanic students in state-of-the-art instrumentation and their desire to pursue science and technology topics will be evaluated.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.