MRI: Acquisition of an Atomic Force Microscope for Materials Science Research and Student Training

非技术描述：该主要研究仪器（MRI）奖支持获得快速扫描，高分辨率原子力显微镜（AFM）。该仪器是加州州立大学长滩分校（CSULB）专注于材料科学研究的多用户成像中心的核心。该中心开启了通过成像，共同探索十亿分之一米长度的新合成材料的可能性。许多研究小组的研究、培训、教学和外展都集中在与二维材料、弯曲磁性结构和用于疾病检测的便携式诊断传感器相关的项目上。CSULB的定位是为合格的少数族裔学生提供服务，这有助于在重要的小功能技术领域提供宝贵的早期经验和技能。研究结果通过可获得的高分辨率图像传播给公众，这些图像由具有总体人口代表性背景的受指导学生提供。技术描述：获得的AFM仪器结合了快速扫描，高分辨率纳米材料成像，具有高稳定性，可重复性和液体测量的可靠性。该仪器的先进特点是基于超短，高频悬臂和更小，高强度的激光光斑。悬臂的稳定性是通过使用二次波长较短的激光来仅光热激发尖端明确的悬臂部分来增强的。它允许在干燥和液体环境中对表面形态进行动态研究。利用这些新的AFM特性，研究小组专注于以下目标：1)减少热生长金属有机薄膜的针孔；2)表面清洁悬浮石墨烯的电子性能增强；弯曲磁性表面的磁手性效应；4)链环聚合物易位纳米孔的制备；5)功能化纳米片的缺陷映射；电化学电池的表面动力学。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。

Nontechnical Description:This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) award supports the acquisition of a fast-scanning, high-resolution atomic force microscope (AFM). This instrument is at the core of a multi-user imaging center focused on materials science research at California State University Long Beach (CSULB). This center opens the possibility to collaboratively explore newly synthesized materials at the length scale of one billionth of a meter via imaging. The research, training, teaching, and outreach of many research groups focus on projects related to two-dimensional materials, curved magnetic structures, and portable diagnostic sensors for disease detection. CSULB’s position of serving a well-qualified pool of underrepresented minority students lends itself towards giving valuable early experiences and skills in important small feature technology areas. The research results are disseminated to the public via accessible high-resolution images by mentored students with backgrounds representative of the overall population.Technical Description:The acquired AFM instrument combines fast scanning, high-resolution nanomaterial imaging with high stability, reproducibility, and reliability for measurements in liquids. This instrument's advanced features are based on ultra-short, high-frequency cantilevers and smaller, high-intensity laser spots. The cantilever's stability is enhanced by using a secondary shorter wavelength laser to photothermally excite only the well-defined cantilever portion of the tip. It allows for dynamic studies of surface morphology in dry and liquid environments. Taking advantage of these new AFM features, the research groups focus on the following objectives: 1) pin hole reduction in bithermally grown metalorganic thin films; 2) enhanced electronic properties of surface cleaned suspended graphene; 3) magnetochiral effects of curved magnetic surfaces; 4) nanopore fabrication for linked-ring polymer translocation; 5) defect mapping of functionalized nanosheets; and 6) surface dynamics in electrochemical cells.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.