MRI: Acquisition of Confocal, Raman, Scanning Near-Field Optical Microscopy System for Wet and Dry Materials and Devices

爱达荷大学将获得最先进的共聚焦拉曼扫描近场光学显微镜（SNOM）系统。该系统集成了用于液体和空气探测和SNOM的AFM模式，用于定量材料分析的数字脉冲力模式AFM，具有短和长（NIR）波长激发的拉曼光谱，单光子计数检测器，共聚焦，荧光，反射和透射显微镜以及样品阶段加热到200摄氏度。该系统将广泛用于材料科学与工程，物理和化学。学科融合到纳米技术和微观现象。该仪器具有10 nm的空间分辨率，同时具有100 nm分辨率的光学和拉曼扫描。这种独特的集成将促进对固体、液体、凝胶、涂料、塑料、粉末和复合材料的化学、机械和材料特性的前所未有的研究。应用包括环境传感器中纳米材料和分析物的特定位点化学键的研究，纳米线和纳米纤维的化学功能，生物膜的进化和形态，复合材料的界面力学和化学，植物细胞壁和木纤维的化学结构。获取信息将促进多学科研究，并将成为未来科学家和工程师不可或缺的培训组成部分。该仪器将是太平洋西北地区独一无二的（北美4个中的1个），填补了在利用其独特能力方面的巨大区域差距。它将直接影响许多项目，包括麦克奈尔学者、美国原住民（HOIST）项目、美国国家科学基金会（NSF） GK-12资助，以及与附近华盛顿州的合作。光学显微镜和光谱学是评价材料性质的基本工具。这种显微镜系统的独特之处在于它能够在纳米尺度上可视化材料，同时探测它们的物理和化学性质。纳米技术的出现依赖于同时进行测量的能力，而单独的仪器是不可能做到这一点的。该系统的功能还将通过检查不同材料之间的界面来影响复合材料的开发。这台显微镜将允许爱达荷大学和华盛顿州立大学的研究人员探测不同材料相遇处的相互作用。该仪器将加强科学、工程和自然资源领域的数十个项目，特别是在纳米技术等跨学科领域。它将影响大学的教育和推广计划：美国原住民葫芦，麦克奈尔学者，国家科学基金GK-12等。该仪器的社会影响包括环境传感器的发展、木材产品和生物燃料的可再生资源管理、替代能源纳米材料的设计、诊断生物芯片阵列、药物输送、生物植入物和生物医学成像。

Technical AbstractThe University of Idaho will acquire a state-of-the-art confocal Raman scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) system. The system integrates AFM modes for liquid and air probing and SNOM, digital pulsed force mode AFM for quantitative materials analysis, Raman spectroscopy with short and long (NIR) wavelength excitation, single photon counting detector, confocal, fluorescence, reflection and transmission microscopy, and sample stage heating to 200 degrees C. The system will be utilized across a broad range of materials science and engineering, physics, and chemistry, where disciplines merge into nanotechnology and microscale phenomena. This instrument has spatial resolution of 10 nm with simultaneous optical and Raman scanning at 100 nm resolution. The unique integration will facilitate unprecedented studies on chemical, mechanical and materials properties of solids, liquids, gels, coatings, plastics, powders, and composites. Applications include studies of site-specific chemical bonding of nanomaterials and analytes in environmental sensors, nanowire and nanofiber chemical functionality, biofilm evolution and morphology, interfacial mechanics and chemistry of composites, chemical architecture of plant cell walls and wood fibers. Access will facilitate multidisciplinary research and will be an indispensable training component for tomorrow's scientists and engineers. This instrument will be one-of-a-kind in the Pacific Northwest (1 of 4 in North America), filling a vast regional gap in access to its unique capabilities. It will directly impact numerous programs, including McNair Scholars, Native American (HOIST) program, NSF GK-12 grant, and collaboration with nearby Washington State.Lay AbstractOptical microscopy and spectroscopy are fundamental tools for evaluating materials properties. This microscope system is unique in its abilities to visualize materials at the nanoscale domain while simultaneously probing their physical and chemical properties. The emergence of nanotechnology is dependent on the ability to make simultaneous measurements that are impossible with separate instruments. The system's capabilities will also impact composite materials development by examining the interface between dissimilar materials. This microscope will allow researchers at the University of Idaho and Washington State University to probe these interactions where different materials meet. This instrumentation will enhance dozens of programs in the sciences, engineering, and natural resources, especially in interdisciplinary fields such as nanotechnology. It will impact the university's education and outreach programs: Native American HOIST, McNair Scholars, NSF GK-12, and others. Societal impacts of this instrument include the development of environmental sensors, renewable resource management of wood products and biofuels, and design of nanomaterials for alternative energy, diagnostic biochip arrays, drug delivery, bio-implants, and biomedical imaging.