Interaction Forces in Water at the Nano-scale

这个凝聚态物理项目解决了水的行为及其与固体表面在微米和纳米级的相互作用。水在受限几何形状中的性质与从摩擦学到生物学和大气科学的各个领域都有关。纳米承压水的流动性存在争议，表面化学和形貌的作用仍不清楚。该项目的目标是使用最先进的原子力显微镜来研究纳米承压水的结构及其与纳米尺度表面的相互作用。参与这项活动的学生将学习如何在跨学科领域使用技术相关的仪器。为研究生和本科生准备课程是该项目不可或缺的一部分。水是自然界中最普遍存在的液体。然而，它是一种比日常熟悉的材料要复杂得多的材料。该项目的目标是了解水的行为及其与固体表面在微米和纳米尺度上的相互作用。更好地理解水纳米限制在滑动表面之间的行为可以改进MEMS和硬盘的设计和操作。此外，水的结构被认为是理解蛋白质折叠的关键。参与这个跨学科项目的学生将学习如何使用纳米技术，生物学和生物物理学相关的仪器。为研究生和本科生准备课程是该项目的一个组成部分。

This condensed matter physics project addresses the behavior of water and its interaction with solid surfaces at the micro and nanoscale. The properties of water in confined geometries are relevant in areas ranging from tribology to biology and atmospheric science. There are controversial results on the fluidity of nano-confined water and the role of surface chemistry and topography is still unclear. The goal of this project is to use state-of-the-art atomic force microscopes to investigate the structure of nano-confined water and its interaction with surfaces at the nanoscale. Students involved in this activity will learn how to use technological relevant instrumentation in an interdisciplinary area. Preparation of courses for graduate and undergraduate students is an integral part of the project.Water is the most ubiquitous liquid found in nature. However, it is a much more complicated material than its everyday familiarity might suggest. The goal of this project is to understand the behavior of water and its interaction with solid surfaces at the micro and nano-scale. A better understanding of the behavior of water nano-confined between sliding surfaces can enable improvements in the design and operation of MEMS and hard disks. Furthermore, the structure of water is believed to hold the key to understand protein folding. Students involved in this interdisciplinary project will learn how to use instrumentation relevant in nanotechnology, biology and geophysics. Preparation of courses for graduate and undergraduate students is an integral part of the project.