MRI: Acquisition of an Atomic Force Microscope and a Tunable Infrared Laser for Advanced Interface Engineering and Interrogation

该奖项是对购买激光系统和原子力显微镜的奖励，以进行界面工程和表征方面的新工作。三名调查人员每人都带来了独特的知识库和经验，设备将允许特殊的合作机会发展。将使用这些工具进行的研究包括激光沉积聚合物薄膜、真菌-植物界面的表征以及液晶衍射光栅的研究。虽然两位物理学家和一位生物学家的配对可能看起来不寻常，但正是这种类型的互动将允许知识跨越学科边界的发展。这项工作的一个例子是植物-真菌界面的纳米机械表征，以及随后捕获和询问竞争种类的真菌排放的蒸汽。我们不太可能继续这项研究，因为个人调查人员和设备将使我们能够彻底利用我们的共同利益。其他将进行的研究包括液晶纳米复合膜的沉积和表征，以及分析化合物的共振解吸，以便于检测爆炸物和其他感兴趣的化学品。该奖项的更广泛影响始于这样一个事实，即它本质上是多学科的(如上所述)，因此有来自三个科学系的广泛学生参与。罗格斯-卡姆登位于新泽西州卡姆登市，毗邻费城。它吸引了来自一个历史上被认为是美国最麻烦的城市之一(卡姆登)的非常多样化的学生。然而，卡姆登与摩尔斯敦和樱桃山接壤，这两个城市在全国范围内被认为是最适合居住的郊区城镇。由于我们的学生大多来自周围的县，学生群体与普通民众非常相似。作为罗格斯-新泽西州立大学的一部分，我们拥有比我们规模的大多数学校更多的机构资源，但这个校园的独特特征植根于并受到强调学生参与研究的本科教育的承诺的影响。购买这种设备将通过实验室课程和高级研究项目极大地加强教育和实践培训。最后，每个研究人员将在各自的研究计划中形成新的方向。

This award is for the acquisition of laser systems and an atomic force microscope to pursue novel work in the engineering and characterization of interfaces. Each of the three investigators brings a unique knowledge base and experience, and the equipment will allow special collaborative opportunities to develop. The research that will be performed with these tools includes laser deposition of polymer films, the characterization of fungal-plant interfaces, and liquid crystal diffraction grating research. While the pairing of two physicists and a biologist may seem unusual, it is precisely this type of interaction that will allow for the advancement of knowledge across disciplinary boundaries. An example of this work is the nanomechanical characterization of the plant-fungi interface and the subsequent capture and interrogation of the vapors emitted by competing species of fungi. It would not be likely that we could pursue this research as individual investigators and the equipment will allow us to thoroughly capitalize on our mutual interests. Other research that will be pursued involves the deposition and characterization of liquid crystal nanocomposite films and the resonant desorption of analyte compounds to facilitate the detection of explosives and other chemicals of interest.The broader impacts of the award begin with the fact that it is intrinsically multidisciplinary (as noted above) and therefore affords the participation by a wide group of students drawn from each of the three science departments. Rutgers-Camden is located adjacent to Philadelphia in the city of Camden, NJ. It draws a very diverse pool of students from an area that has been historically recognized as one of the most troubled cities in America (Camden). However, Camden borders on Moorestown and Cherry Hill, which are nationally known as some of the best suburban towns to live in. Since most of our students come from the surrounding counties, the student body greatly resembles the populace. As part of Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey, we have institutional resources that are greater than most schools of our size, yet the distinct character of this campus is rooted in and informed by a commitment to undergraduate education with an emphasis on student participation in research. The acquisition of this equipment will greatly enhance both education and practical training through laboratory curricula and advanced research projects. Finally, each of the investigators will forgenew directions in their respective research programs.