Development of Molecular Level Adhesion Measurement Apparatus for Student Training and Education

该基金支持设计和开发一种能够检测相邻聚合物薄膜之间的粘附力以及聚合物薄膜与其他基材之间的粘附力的分子粘附力测量仪器（MAMA）。流变光声的基本原理将在附着力测量的背景下进行检查。由于两个聚合物表面之间的界面处的物理化学变化对粘附和与之相关的分子水平过程具有显著影响，因此利用这种方法是公平的，这最终将导致我们对粘附的认识的进步。此外，一个独特的仪器能够测量负责粘附分子力的发展将开辟新的途径，在纳米级的界面力的研究。USM的一个跨学科的聚合物/材料科学家小组广泛参与了国家重要的研究计划，要求开发这种仪器。该设备将对许多现有和未来的研究计划产生重大影响，不仅在USM，但国家和世界范围内，以及对未来几代科学家的教育。 该仪器已应用于纳米复合材料，微域，环境投诉复合材料，薄膜和涂层，生物材料和生物研究领域的实验研究工作和学生培训。该仪器将提高分辨率，沿着提高仪器控制能力，从而增加数据吞吐量。虽然拟议的仪器开发的长期惠益是在上述领域，但在教育和培训未来的科学家和研究人员骨干方面存在着固有的任务，需要开发这一仪器。不仅USM的研究人员和学生受益，而且在USM进行赞助研究的50多家大公司也可以使用这种仪器。

This grant supports the design and development of a Molecular Adhesion Measurement Apparatus (MAMA) capable of detecting adhesion between adjacent polymeric films, as well as the adhesion between polymeric films and other substrates. Fundamental principles governing rheo-photoacoustics will be examined in the context of the measurements of the adhesion. Since physico-chemical changes at the interface between two polymer surfaces have a significant effect on adhesion and molecular level processes associated with it, it is fair to utilize this approach which ultimately will lead to the advancement of our knowledge of adhesion. Furthermore, the development of a unique instrumentation capable of measuring molecular forces responsible for adhesion will open new avenues for studies of interfacial forces at nano-levels. An interdisciplinary group of polymer/material scientists at USM who are extensively involved in nationally important research programs request this instrument development. This apparatus will have significant impact on numerous existing and future research programs not only at USM, but nation and worldwide, as well as on the education of future generations of scientists. This instrumentation has application to experimental research efforts and student training in the areas of nano-composites, micro-domains, environmentally complaint composites, thin films and coatings, biomaterials, and biological studies. The instrument will enhance resolution along with improved instrumentation control capabilities, thereby increasing data throughput. Although the long-term benefits of the proposed instrument development are in the areas noted above, there are inherent tasks in education and training of the future cadre of scientists and researchers that necessitate the development of this instrument. Not only USM researchers and students benefit, but also over fifty major corporations that conduct sponsored research at USM have access to this instrumentation.