Acquisition of a Dynamic Nano-Force Tensile Test System for Ultrathin Fibers with Environmental Control and Integrated Image Analysis

本提案中描述的Nano Bionix测试系统将为阿克伦大学和周围的研究机构提供一个非常通用的系统，该系统能够对生物和人造材料进行各种机械拉伸测试。Nano Bionix具有广泛的敏感性，使其能够表征大纤维(如羊驼毛)和细纤维(如蜘蛛丝)的材料特性，甚至一些纳米级的电纺纤维。此外，Nano Bionix提供了新的连续动态分析功能，可以测量纤维在拉伸时存储和释放能量的方式的变化。最后，Nano Bionix系统提供了在测试期间控制温度和湿度的能力。虽然一些拉伸测试仪提供热控制，但这是第一个允许同时测试纤维材料特性的水力和热效应的系统。总而言之，这些功能使所描述的Nano Bionix系统成为一个高度集成的包，将极大地扩展阿克伦大学和周围研究社区的研究能力。获得这一测试系统将对阿克伦大学及其周边机构的研究和教育产生各种更广泛的影响。拉伸测试是生物材料研究、工程、物理、聚合物化学和纺织品的重要工具。因此，这个系统有可能在阿克伦大学培养各种跨学科的研究项目。特别是，了解蜘蛛丝的机械性能和分子结构对生物系和聚合物科学系的成员都非常感兴趣。因此，Nano Bionix将为这些生物超级纤维的合作研究奠定基础。Nano Bionix系统提供的独特能力组合还将使来自周边机构的各种研究人员受益，这些项目包括纳米复合纤维、天然和合成纺织品以及生物材料。因此，该系统将有助于加强美国部分机构之间的合作关系，该地区历史上在各种人造聚合物材料的开发和生产中发挥了重要作用。Nano Bionix拥有极其简单的用户界面。这使得该系统成为本科生和研究生使用的非常实用的工具。因此，Nano Bionix将帮助培训学生生物力学和材料科学，为他们在研究和工业领域的各种职业做好准备。它还将促进为生物学入门学生开发以探究为基础的实验室练习，重点是蜘蛛丝生物力学。许多拟议中的利用Nano Bionix的研究项目都与行业或技术有着密切的联系，因此参与这些项目的学生将第一手接触到基础科学研究与人类进步之间的基本关系。在生物系的这些学生中，超过一半是女性，超过30%的学生是代表不足的少数民族。因此，Nano Bionix测试系统将实现双重目标，即为俄亥俄州东北部的研究基础设施提供独特的增强，并在动态、跨学科的环境中教育学生。

The Nano Bionix test system described in this proposal will provide the University of Akron and the surrounding research community with an extremely versatile system that is capable of performing a variety of mechanical tensile tests on biological and manmade materials. The Nano Bionix has a broad sensitivity that allows it characterize the material properties of large fibers such as alpaca hair, as well as thin fibers such as spider silk, and even some nanoscale electrospun fibers. Furthermore, the Nano Bionix offers the novel capability of Continuous Dynamic Analysis, which measures changes in how fibers store and release energy as they are stretched. Finally, the Nano Bionix system offers the ability to manipulate both temperature and humidity during testing. While a few tensile testers offer thermal control, this is the first system to allow for simultaneous testing of both hydro and thermal effects on the material properties of fibers. Together, these features make the described Nano Bionix system a highly integrated package that will greatly expand the research capacity of The University of Akron and the surrounding research communities. Acquisition of this test system will have a variety of broader impacts upon research and education at the University of Akron and surrounding institutions. Tensile testing is a critical tool for biological materials research, engineering, physics, polymer chemistry, and textiles. Thus, this system has the potential to foster a variety of interdisciplinary research programs at The University of Akron. In particular, understanding the mechanical performance and molecular structure of spider silks is of great interest to members of both the Departments of Biology and of Polymer Science. Thus, the Nano Bionix will create a foundation for collaborative research on these biological super fibers. The unique combination of capabilities offered by the Nano Bionix system will also benefit a variety of researchers from surrounding institutions for projects including nanocomposite fibers, natural and synthetic textiles, and biological materials. Thus, the system will serve to strengthen collaborative relationships among institutions in a part of the United State that has historically played an important role in the development and production of a variety of manmade polymer materials. The Nano Bionix operates with an exceptionally easy user interface. This makes the system a very practical tool for use by undergraduate and graduate students. Thus, the Nano Bionix will help to train students in biomechanics and materials science, preparing them for a variety of careers in research and industry. It will also facilitate the development of an inquiry based laboratory exercise for introductory biology students that focuses upon spider silk biomechanics. Many of the proposed research projects that would utilize the Nano Bionix have close ties to industry or technology such that students involved in those projects will gain first hand exposure to the essential relationship that basic scientific research has with human progress. More than half of these students, within the Department of Biology, are women and over 30% are underrepresented minorities. Thus, this Nano Bionix test system will foster the twin goals of providing a unique enhancement to northeastern Ohio's research infrastructure and of educating students in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment.