Acquisition of Polymer Characterization Equipment for Research and Training

9977729 Patterson重大研究仪器支持将用于获得原子力显微镜和流变仪，这对发展田纳西州立大学中部化学和物理/天文学系在聚合物和表面表征方面的研究能力至关重要。将使用这些仪器进行的研究包括熔融-酯交换工程树脂的结构-粘弹性关系、附加值复合材料、聚电解质膜的形态、图案化有机硅氧烷膜的成像以及金属膜和介电膜的结构。这些设备将补充化学系现有的用于量化本体聚合物热性能和分子量的仪器、物理系/天文学系和化学系的表面分析仪器以及生物系和物理系的形态成像仪器。由于跨学科调查的重叠，设备的有益影响将延伸到每个系内的研究生和高级本科生和教职员工之外。购买原子力显微镜和流变仪将是材料分析仪器收藏的重要补充，并将为田纳西中部州立大学开展的研究以及学生培训和与聚合物行业工作相关的技能介绍提供更多机会。通过合作、培训研讨会和社区推广，这些设备将被用作加强与区域行业互动的工具。

9977729PattersonMajor Research Instrumentation support will be use to acquire an atomic force microscope and a rheometer that are critical to developing research capability in polymer and surface characterization in the Departments of Chemistry and Physics/Astronomy at Middle Tennessee State University. The research to be carried out using these instruments include investigations of structure-viscoelastic property relationships of melt-transesterified engineering resins, and value-added composites, morphology of polyelectrolyte membranes, imaging of patterned organosiloxane films, and structure in metal and dielectric films. The equipment will complement existing instrumentation for quantification of bulk polymer thermal properties and molecular weights in the Department of Chemistry, surface analytical instrumentation in the Department of Physics/Astronomy and in Chemistry, and imaging instrumentation for morphology in the Department of Biology and also in Physics. Because of the overlap in interdisciplinary investigations, the beneficial impact of the equipment will extend beyond the graduate and advanced undergraduate students and faculty within each department. The acquisition of an atomic force microscope and a rheometer will be important additions to the materials analysis instrumentation collection and will provide increased opportunities for research carried out at Middle Tennessee State University, as well as for student training and introduction to skills relevant to jobs in the polymer industry. Though collaborations, training seminars, and community outreach, the equipment will be used as a vehicle for increased interaction with regional industry.