MRI: Acquisition of a Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimeter and Spectroscopic Ellipsometer for Characterizing Complex Fluids

非技术：在研究复杂流体（如生物系统）时，很少有一种技术足以阐明其真正的复杂性。理想情况下，在几乎相同的条件下，需要热力学和结构信息来描述这样的系统。这一建议寻求获得两种最先进的仪器，以这种方式相互补充。这些仪器将在一个专注于实验软凝聚态物理的多学科中心使用。调制差示扫描量热计（MDSC）测量了当每毫克材料的温度变化时，吸收的少量热量，并确定了重要的热力学特性。光谱椭偏仪（SE）测量薄膜反射光的偏振和颜色，确定薄膜的详细结构、组成和均匀性。MDSC和SE一起使用，为各种薄膜和小型系统的结构和相行为提供了非凡的视角。我们最初的研究计划包括使用这两种仪器来获得大型生物大分子（如DNA、多糖和膜蛋白）薄膜的结构和热力学信息。其他研究方向将包括各种复杂流体（液晶）、水修复研究和极性液体润湿特性，这将额外补充其他实验技术。这项提案将极大地影响和扩展许多学科的教育活动，从生物工程，化学，生物化学，化学工程，机械工程，以及物理。通过我们全面和独特的本科项目为基础的课程，WPI是理想的准备使用这些仪器和设施，为所有学生提供一流的研究活动。此外，在这项工作中，团队的多样性将加强对来自不同背景的学生的指导。技术：本NSF-MRI提案寻求获得调制差示扫描量热计（MDSC - TA Instruments Q200）和光谱椭偏仪（SE - Woollam M-2000）。总之，这两种仪器将提供非常详细的结构和相行为的薄膜的各种复杂和生物流体的观点，这是至关重要的理解这些重要的系统。MDSC提供小样品（如薄膜）的比热、焓和相变温度数据，而SE提供薄膜厚度、均匀性和结构的关键数据。这些数据将补充WPI现有的其他实验设施，包括原子力显微镜、扫描电子显微镜、x射线散射、表面等离子体共振等。加上现有的设施，拟议的仪器将为物理系内一流的软凝聚态实验中心奠定基础。该中心将影响许多学科的活动，是该部门的主要目标。将立即受益于拟议仪器的项目有：极性和非极性液体（如水和液晶）的润湿和脱湿行为；生物薄膜的结构和热力学研究，如蛋白质、多糖和DNA；半导体薄膜纳米异质外延生长的表征研究膜蛋白展开以阐明影响蛋白稳定性的重要因素。该提案的更广泛影响是：加强物理，化学，生物化学，机械工程，化学工程和生物医学工程之间的广泛合作；通过以项目为基础的课程，支持本科生的教育体验；促进软凝聚态/复杂流体的协同研究和教育工作；为本科生、研究生和博士后提供全面的教育和指导机会，为科学的进步和传播做出重大贡献。

NON-TECHNICAL:Rarely in the study of complex fluids such as biosystems does one technique suffice to illuminate their true complexities. Ideally, both thermodynamic and structural information is needed under near identical conditions to describe such systems. This proposal seeks to acquire two state-of-the-art instruments that complement each other in exactly this way. These instruments will be used within a focused multidisciplinary center for experimental soft-condensed matter physics.The Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimeter (MDSC) measures how small amounts of heat are absorbed as the temperature of milligrams of material is varied and determines important thermodynamic characteristics. The Spectroscopic Ellipsometer (SE) measures the polarization and color of reflected light from a thin film, determining the film's detailed structure, composition, and uniformity. Used together, MDSC and SE provide an extraordinary view of the structure and phase behavior of a wide variety of thin films and small systems. Our initial research plans include using these two instruments to obtain both structural and thermodynamic information of thin films of large bio-macromolecules such as DNA, polysaccharides, and membrane proteins. Other research directions will include various complex fluids (liquid crystals), water remediation studies, and wetting properties of polar liquids, which would additionally complement other experimental techniques. This proposal will greatly impact and expand educational activities across many disciplines, from bioengineering, chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, as well as physics. Through our comprehensive and unique undergraduate project-based curriculum, WPI is ideally poised to use these instruments and facilities to make first-rate research activities accessible to all students at every level.Additionally, the diversity of the team brought together in this work will enhance the mentoring of students from all backgrounds.TECHNICAL:This NSF-MRI proposal seeks the acquisition of a modulated-differential scanning calorimeter (MDSC - TA Instruments Q200) and a spectroscopic ellipsometer (SE - Woollam M-2000). Together, these two instruments will provide an extraordinarily detailed view of the structural and phase behavior of thin films of a wide variety of complex and bio-fluids that is essential for the understanding of such important systems. The MDSC provides specific heat, enthalpy, and phase transition temperature data from small samples, e.g. films, in a timely fashion, while the SE provides key data on film thickness, uniformity, and structure. These data will complement other existing experimental facilities at WPI including atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray scattering, surface plasmon resonance, to name a few. Along with the current facilities, the proposed instruments will provide the foundation for a first-rate center for experimental soft-condensed matter within the department of physics. This center will impact activities across many disciplines and is a major goal of the department.Projects that will immediately benefit from the acquisition of the proposed instrumentation are: wetting and de-wetting behavior of polar and non-polar liquids, such as water and liquid crystals; structural and thermodynamic studies of biological thin films, such as proteins, polysaccharides, and DNA; characterization of nano-heteroepitaxial growth of semiconductor thin films; studies of membrane protein unfolding to illuminate factors important to protein stability. The broader impacts of this proposal are: to enhance a wide collaborative effort spanning physics, chemistry, biochemistry, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, and biomedical engineering; to support educational experiences for undergraduate students through our project-based curriculum; to foster synergistic research and educational work in soft-condensed matter/complex fluids; to provide comprehensive educational and mentoring opportunities across a diverse spectrum of undergraduates, graduates, and post-doctoral associates allowing for a significant contribution to the advancement and dissemination of science.