Exploratory Research: Complementary Development of New Chemical Sensor and Probe Microscopy Techniques for Environmental Research in Hydrothermal Ecosystems

该项目的目标是开发用于检测无机和有机分析物以及微生物的强大的多路复用传感器阵列的概念，并开发仪器来量化复杂的地下水和地表水以及极端生态系统中的非均相动力学和分子/表面相互作用。 电化学、表面等离子体共振（SPR）和表面增强拉曼光谱（Sers）方法将被用作热液流体中无机和有机分析物定量的检测方案。 目前的水热原子力显微镜（AFM）仪器将有助于开发强大的聚合物薄膜传感器。 研究人员还将进一步开发AFM仪器，以使“软”材料和表面吸附分子和生物体在热液条件下的非接触式成像成为可能。 将为开发一种低功耗、轻量化的AFM奠定基础，该AFM有可能发展成为一种可现场部署的仪器。该项目的结果可能导致从复杂的生态系统中获得化学和生物信息的新方法。 此外，这项研究将用于增加这一不断发展的科学发现领域的教育机会。 在这些领域受过培训的学生将在就业市场上非常有竞争力，因为这些都是行业的高度优先领域。

The objectives of this project are to develop the concepts for robust multiplexed arrays of sensors for the detection of inorganic and organic analytes as well as microorganisms and to develop instrumentation to quantify heterogeneous kinetics and molecule/surface interactions in complex, groundwater and surface water, and extreme ecosystems. Electrochemical, Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and Surface Enhance Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) method will be used as detection schemes for the quantification of inorganic and organic analytes in hydrothermal fluids. The development of robust polymeric thin film sensors will be assisted by current Hydrothermal Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) instrumentation. The investigators will also further the development of the AFM instrumentation to enable intermittent-contact imaging of "soft" materials and surface adsorbed molecules and organisms in hydrothermal conditions. Groundwork will be laid for the development of a low-power, lightweight AFM for potential development into a field-deployable instrument.%%%The results from this project could lead to new methods for obtaining chemical and biological information from complex ecosystems. Furthermore, the research will be used to enhance educational opportunities in this growing field of scientific discovery. Students trained in these areas will be very competitive in the job market as these are areas of high priority in industry.