MRI: Acquisition of an Infrared Spectrometer System for Interdisciplinary Materials Research and Undergraduate Engineering Education

技术摘要富兰克林W·奥林工程学院将获得一种研究级的高性能傅立叶变换红外(FTIR)光谱仪和红外(IR)显微镜，用于多学科应用科学和工程研究项目，这些项目整合了生物、化学、材料科学、机械工程和设计方面的技术和知识。收购FTIR系统将有助于Olin College启动几个新的研究项目，包括调查天然骨胶原成分的交联度；详细研究基于Nafion的离子聚合物-金属复合材料(IPMC)人工肌肉执行器在不同水化条件下的结构、组成、性能和性能之间的相互关系；以及用于绿色设计应用的可生物降解聚合物分解产品的组成和结构分析。本科生将参与这项拟议研究的所有方面。此外，FTIR系统通过在广泛的教育活动中的使用，将对不同的工科本科生群体产生显著影响。FTIR的使用将被整合到材料科学和有机化学的现有课程中，这些课程强调基于项目的学习和学生的自我指导；学生将继续在高级材料科学和生物工程课程、设计课程、顶石项目和独立学习体验中使用该系统。富兰克林W.奥林工程学院计划购买傅里叶变换红外(FTIR)光谱仪，用于聚合物(塑料)和生物组织等有机材料的研究。FTIR光谱仪是一种功能强大的仪器，它利用红外光与材料中的分子相互作用，为材料生成化学“指纹”。对这些指纹的分析使我们能够更好地了解材料的性能和行为，并更有效地设计新材料。例如，这种仪器将被用来帮助创造比传统石油塑料更环保的新的可生物降解塑料，以及开发可以像自然肌肉一样发挥作用的新材料，通过电力改变其形状。它还将被用来研究我们的骨骼如何随着年龄和疾病的变化而变化，这将帮助我们找到治疗骨质疏松症等疾病的方法。骨质疏松症是指随着年龄的增长而失去的导致髋部和其他骨折的骨骼。这项研究将由奥林学院的工科本科生进行。学生还将在一系列化学、材料科学和生物工程课程中使用FTIR光谱仪，以及独立的项目工作和高级设计项目。FTIR光谱仪将是我们研究项目的宝贵补充，它将使我们的本科生能够探索广泛的天然和尖端合成材料。

Technical AbstractThe Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering will acquire a research-grade, high performance Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer and infrared (IR) microscope for use in multidisciplinary applied science and engineering research projects that integrate techniques and knowledge from biology, chemistry, materials science, mechanical engineering, and design. Acquisition of the FTIR system will facilitate the initiation of several new research projects at Olin College, including investigations of the degree of crosslinking in the collagen component of natural bone; detailed studies of the interconnections among structure, composition, properties, and performance in Nafion-based ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) artificial muscle actuators under varying hydration conditions; and compositional and structural analyses of the breakdown products from biodegradable polymers used in green design applications. Undergraduate students will be involved in all aspects of the proposed research. In addition, the FTIR system will have a marked impact on a diverse group of undergraduate engineering students through its use in a broad range of educational activities. Use of the FTIR will be integrated into existing courses in materials science and organic chemistry that emphasize project-based learning and student self-direction; and students will continue to use the system in upper-level materials science and bioengineering courses, design courses, capstone projects, and independent study experiences. Lay AbstractThe Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering plans to purchase a Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer for use in studies of organic materials such as polymers (plastics) and biological tissues. The FTIR spectrometer is a powerful instrument that uses the interaction between infrared light and the molecules in a material to generate a chemical "fingerprint" for the material. Analysis of these fingerprints enables us to better understand the properties and behavior of materials, and to more effectively design new materials. For example, this instrument will be used to help create new biodegradable plastics that are more environmentally-friendly than traditional petroleum-based plastics, as well as to develop new materials that can act like natural muscles, changing their shape in response to electricity. It will also be used to investigate how our bones change with age and disease, which will help us find treatments for diseases like osteoporosis, the loss of bone with age that leads to hip and other fractures. This research will be carried out by the undergraduate engineering students at Olin College. Students will also use the FTIR spectrometer in a range of chemistry, materials science, and bioengineering courses, as well as for independent project work and senior design projects. The FTIR spectrometer will be a valuable addition to our research programs, and it will enable our undergraduate students to explore a wide range of natural and cutting-edge synthetic materials.