MRI: Acquisition of Multi-Purpose X-Ray Diffraction System for Research and Associated Educational Programs

这项主要研究仪器（MRI）拨款支持购置现代x射线衍射仪（XRD）系统，用于对新型纳米材料、有机薄膜和地质材料进行定性和定量分析，以加强田纳西州孟菲斯市孟菲斯大学（UofM）的研究和教学。孟菲斯大学是田纳西州西部地区的主要研究机构。XRD将大大提高物理、化学和地质科学系PI和co-PI的研究能力，并将为当地学校、学院和行业的研究人员提供良好的研究机会。将从所要求的XRD中显著受益的研究项目示例包括：(1)用于增强磁性材料的纳米结构磁性复合材料；(2)蛋白质薄膜，用于了解蛋白质/表面相互作用；(3)耐腐蚀的有机薄膜；(4)用于传感器的纳米多孔聚合物薄膜；(5)沉积物和粘土矿物的地球化学研究，以分析污染物的迁移及其对土壤的影响。这种多功能仪器的模块化设计允许在各种环境条件下收集各种样品（薄膜到小粉末样品）的高分辨率x射线衍射数据。此外，该系统将允许使用现有的最新软件和数据库对获得的数据进行准确和有效的分析。通过参与相关的研究项目，研究生和本科生将有机会在现代x射线技术方面进行培训。此外，通过将实验室实验纳入现有和新课程，学术学生也将从拟议的设施中受益。最后，由于UofM拥有该地区最大的少数民族学生群体之一（包括非裔美国人和女性），该仪器将为UofM学生提供一个机会，让他们属于一个代表性不足的群体，体验材料科学中最通用和最广泛使用的实验技术之一。UofM意识到需要为工业界和学术界在材料研究领域的培训准备劳动力，正在积极寻求途径来改善其研究人员，实验室，基础设施和培训计划。这些努力的主要目标是建立教师专业知识和实验设施的坚实基础，使UofM在吸引外部研究资金方面更具竞争力，并在中南部创建一个一流的培训机构。现代x射线仪器的收购将使UofM和周边机构的研究人员能够开展许多不同的研究和培训活动，如磁性复合材料、蛋白质薄膜、耐腐蚀材料、沉积学和矿物学。该仪器用途广泛，允许研究人员研究从少量粉末样品（例如地质样品）到金属薄膜、生物有机薄膜和胶体材料的各种材料。该系统将有助于地方大学和工业界内部和之间目前和未来的合作研究活动。在全美非少数族裔占主导地位的大学中，UofM排名前20位，授予非裔美国人学士学位的人数最多，而且它的学生中有相当一部分是所谓的非传统学生。因此，拟议的仪器将为代表性不足的群体提供一个学习科学研究中重要实验技术的机会。获得所要求的仪器对进一步提高我们的研究能力和实现我们的招生目标至关重要。

This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant supports the acquisition of a modern X-ray diffractometer (XRD) system for qualitative and quantitative analysis of novel nanomaterials, organic films, and geological materials to enhance research and teaching at the University of Memphis (UofM), Memphis, TN, a major research institute serving the western region of Tennessee. The XRD will greatly enhance the research capabilities of the PI and co-PIs in the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Geological sciences and will provide excellent research opportunities to researchers from local schools, colleges, and industries. Examples of research projects that will benefit significantly from the requested XRD include: (1) nanostructured magnetic composites for enhanced magnetic materials; (2) protein thin films for understanding protein/surface interactions; (3) organic films for corrosion resistance; (4) nanoporous polymer films for sensor applications; and (5) several geochemistry studies of sediments and clay minerals for analysis of contaminant transport and their effects on soils. The modular design this versatile instrument permits collecting high-resolution x-ray diffraction data for variety of specimens-thin films to small powder samples-in wide variety of environmental conditions. In addition, this system will allow for accurate and efficient analysis of the acquired data using the latest software and databases available. Through participation in related research projects, graduate and undergraduate research students will have the opportunity to train in modern aspects of x-ray techniques. In addition, through the incorporation of laboratory experiments into existing and new classes, academic students will also benefit from the proposed facility. Finally, because the UofM has one of the largest minorities' students population (both African-American and women) in the region, the instrument will present an opportunity for UofM students belonging to an under-represented group to experience one of the most versatile and widely used experimental techniques in materials sciences.Realizing the need to prepare a workforce for industry and academia trained in the field of materials research, the UofM is actively pursuing avenues to improve its research personnel, laboratories, infrastructure, and training programs. The main objectives of these efforts are to build a strong foundation of faculty expertise and experimental facilities that will make UofM more competitive in attracting external research funds and to create a premiere training institute in the Mid-South. The acquisition of modern x-ray instrumentation will enable investigators from the UofM and surrounding institutions to carry out a number of diverse research and training activities, such as magnetic composites, protein thin films, corrosion resistance materials, sedimentology, and mineralogy. This instrument is highly versatile allowing researchers to study variety of materials from small amount of powder samples (for example geological samples) to metal thin films, bioorganic films, and colloidal materials. The system will aid in the present and future collaborative research activities within and between local universities and industries. The UofM ranks in the top 20 among non- predominantly-minority institutions nationwide with highest number of baccalaureate degrees awarded to African Americans, and a significant number of its students are so-called non-traditional. Thus the proposed instrument will present an opportunity to under-represented groups to learn important experimental techniques in scientific research. The acquisition of the requested instrument is critical to furthering our research capabilities and realizing our student recruitment goals.