MRI-R2: Acquisition of SPM for Nanoscience in Undergraduate Research and Education

0959373洛根华盛顿和杰斐逊学院技术摘要：该奖项是根据《2009年美国复苏和再投资法案》(公法111-5)资助的。这是一项跨学科的提案，旨在为华盛顿和杰斐逊学院(W&amp；J)购买能够进行原子力显微镜(AFM)和扫描隧道显微镜(STM)的扫描探针显微镜系统(SPM)，该学院是一所私立的四年制本科院校。SPM代表了一系列可以在纳米水平上对表面成像的技术，并将在我们的研究和课程中发挥不可或缺的作用。原子力显微镜将用于几个研究项目，包括1)嵌段共聚物纳米结构的受控图案化，2)由无机核、脂膜和生物蛋白质组成的合成细胞的发展，以及3)测量纳米级液滴在粗糙表面上的润湿。理解和控制纳米结构的图案化对于继续推动越来越小的技术至关重要，而合成细胞将把生物特性与易于处理稳定的无机分子结合在一起。润湿研究以刚刚开始探索的方式使用原子力显微镜，研究接触线在纳米级缺陷上的钉扎，这是所有扩散应用中的一个重要主题。SPM将被安置在耗资3200万美元的新约翰·A·斯旺森科学中心，该中心计划于2010年开放。拟议的SPM虚拟仪器将大大加强关于该仪器的培训。原子力显微镜和扫描隧道显微镜还将融入入门物理、高级物理和化学课程的教学，以及非理科专业的纳米技术普通教育课程。当地高中生将通过我们的科学教育外展计划受到影响。因此，通过引入表面科学和材料研究的固有概念，SPM将在W&A；J；的研究和教学课程中引入一个全新的方向。非技术摘要：该奖项是根据2009年《美国复苏和再投资法案》(公法111-5)资助的。这是一份跨学科的提案，将为华盛顿大学杰斐逊学院(W&amp；J；College)购买扫描探针显微镜系统(SPM)，该学院是一所私立的四年制本科院校。扫描电子显微镜允许我们在纳米水平上对表面进行成像，并将在我们的研究和课程中发挥不可或缺的作用。SPM将用于几个研究项目。例如，通过扫描电子显微镜可以看到聚合物纳米结构，使我们能够研究控制这些微小结构域的大小、形状和结构的不同方法。在继续推动越来越小的技术的过程中，能够对这些纳米结构进行模式化是至关重要的。扫描电子显微镜还将允许我们开发合成细胞；这些细胞将模拟真实的细胞表面，但更坚固，更易于操作，为生化研究提供了一个模型。另一个项目将使用扫描电子显微镜拍摄纳米大小的液滴润湿粗糙表面的图像。这项研究对于更好地了解液体如何在表面扩散具有重要意义，工业应用范围从半导体制造和提油到纸巾和洗碗皂。SPM将被安置在耗资3200万美元的新约翰·A·斯旺森科学中心，该中心计划于2010年开放。为了训练学生，我们打算开发一种模拟仪器，允许他们在接触实际仪器之前在计算机上进行练习。SPM还将被纳入物理入门、高级物理和化学课程的教学，以及非理科专业的纳米技术普通教育课程。当地高中生将通过我们的科学教育外展计划受到影响。因此，通过引入表面科学和材料研究的固有概念，SPM将在W&A；J；的研究和教学课程中引入一个全新的方向。

0959373LoganWashington & Jefferson CollegeTechnical Abstract:This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). This is a multi-disciplinary proposal to purchase a scanning probe microscopy system (SPM) capable of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) for Washington & Jefferson (W&J) College, a private four year undergraduate institution. SPM represents a family of techniques that can image surfaces at the nanoscopic level and would play an integral role in both our research and our curriculum. AFM would be used in several research projects, including 1) the controlled patterning of block copolymer nanostructures, 2) the development of synthetic cells consisting of an inorganic core, lipid membranes, and biological proteins, and 3) the measurement of nanoscale liquid droplet wetting on rough surfaces. Understanding and controlling the patterning of nanostructures is crucial in the continued push for smaller and smaller technologies while synthetic cells would combine biological properties with the ease of handling stable inorganic molecules. Wetting research uses the AFM in ways that are just beginning to be explored, investigating the pinning of the contact line on nanoscale defects, an important topic in all applications of spreading. The SPM will be housed in the new $32 million John A. Swanson Science Center, scheduled to open in 2010. Training on the instrument will be significantly enhanced by a proposed SPM virtual instrument. AFM and STM will also be integrated into the teaching of introductory physics, upper level physics and chemistry classes, as well as general education courses for non-science majors on nanotechnology. Local high school students will be impacted through our science education outreach programs. The SPM would thus introduce an entirely new direction in both the research and teaching curriculum at W&J by introducing concepts inherent to surface science and materials research. Non-Technical Abstract:This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). This is a multi-disciplinary proposal to purchase a scanning probe microscopy system (SPM) for Washington & Jefferson (W&J) College, a private four year undergraduate institution. SPM allows us to image surfaces at the nanoscopic level and would play an integral role in both our research and our curriculum. The SPM would be used in several research projects. For example, polymer nanostructures could be seen through SPM, allowing us to investigate different ways of controlling the size, shape, and structure of these tiny domains. Being able to pattern these nanostructures is crucial in the continued push for smaller and smaller technologies. The SPM would also allow us to develop synthetic cells; these would mimic real cell surfaces but be more robust and easier to handle, providing a model for biochemical research. Another project would use the SPM to image nano-sized liquid droplets wetting rough surfaces. This research is important in better understanding how a liquid spreads on a surface, with industrial applications ranging from semiconductor manufacture and oil extraction to paper towels and dish soap. The SPM will be housed in the new $32 million John A. Swanson Science Center, scheduled to open in 2010. To train students, we intend to develop a simulated instrument, allowing them to practice on a computer before touching the actual one. SPM will also be integrated into the teaching of introductory physics, upper level physics and chemistry classes, as well as general education courses for non-science majors on nanotechnology. Local high school students will be impacted through our science education outreach programs. The SPM would thus introduce an entirely new direction in both the research and teaching curriculum at W&J by introducing concepts inherent to surface science and materials research.