Renovation of Merrill Hall (Chemistry Building)

莫尔豪斯学院是一所历史悠久的黑人机构，在培养非洲裔美国人从事科学事业方面有着悠久的传统。 这些人中的大多数都在化学系所在的梅里尔大厅接受过培训。 目前的设施建于1952年，缺乏支持现代化学研究和研究培训活动所需的物质基础设施。 防御措施包括：通风和空调不足，管道漏水，通风柜无法使用，照明不良，化学品储存设施不足。 实验室违反了联邦安全条例和建筑规范。 这些条件不仅对学生和教师有害，而且对研究仪器有潜在的破坏性。 这个学术研究基础设施奖将提供资金，以协助莫尔豪斯学院在其努力，以翻新梅里尔化学大楼的二楼和三楼。 实验室将重新配置为功能区，可以进行分析，物理，无机和材料化学研究。 除了升级基础设施系统外，翻新还将涉及安装新的通风柜、长凳和橱柜。 莫尔豪斯在本科科学中的作用尤其重要，因为进入科学领域的学生人数，特别是少数民族学生人数迅速下降。 受过科学训练的非洲裔美国人的短缺对一个越来越依赖科学和技术进步的国家的未来产生了严重影响。 翻新后的梅里尔大厅将加强该机构在培养年轻科学家以应对这一挑战方面的作用。

Morehouse College, a historically black institution, has a long tradition in the development of African American men for careers in science. A majority of these men have been trained in Merrill Hall, home to the chemistry department. Constructed in 1952, the present facility is devoid of the required physical infrastructure required to support modern chemical research and research training activities. Deficiencies include: inadequate ventilation and air conditioning, leaking pipes, inoperable fume hoods, poor lighting, and inadequate chemical storage facilities. Laboratories are in violation of federal safety regulations and building codes. Not only are conditions hazardous to students and faculty, but they are potentially damaging to research instruments. This Academic Research Infrastructure award will provide funds to assist Morehouse College in its endeavors to renovate the second and third floors of the Merrill Chemistry Building. Laboratories will be reconfigured into functional areas where research in analytical, physical, inorganic, and materials chemistry can be conducted. In addition to upgrading infrastructural systems, the renovation will involve the installation of new fume hoods, benches, and casework. Morehouse's role in undergraduate science is particularly significant in light of the rapidly declining numbers of students, especially minorities, who enter scientific fields. The shortage of scientifically trained African Americans has serious implications for the future of a nation increasingly dependent on scientific and technological advances. A renovated Merrill Hall will strengthen the institution's role in developing young scientists to meet this challenge.