MRI-R2: Acquisition of Raman and Thermal Analysis Instrumentation for Studies of Materials

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。萨吉诺谷州立大学的David S. Karpovich教授、Jason J. Pagano教授、Christopher H. Schilling教授、Tami L. Sivy教授和Ron R. Williams教授将获得一台拉曼光谱仪、一台热重分析仪器（TGA）和一台差示扫描量热计（DSC）。这些仪器将用于研究从区域农业和生物燃料废物产品中生产新型可生物降解塑料，并分析地质和生物系统中形成的管状降水结构。拉曼光谱、热重分析和差示扫描量热法将用于将与特定分子间相互作用和材料转变相关的光谱和热性能与其物理/机械性能相关联。拉曼光谱提供了有关材料的化学成分和结构的信息。热重分析（TGA）测量材料的重量随温度的变化，提供样品在加热过程中分解或蒸发的信息。差示扫描量热法（DSC）测量提高材料温度所需的热量，并有助于识别物理变化，如相变。这些仪器的组合使用将允许生物塑料的改进，优化其抗拉强度和降低脆性。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).With this award from the Major Research and Instrumentation (MRI) program, Professor David S. Karpovich, Jason J. Pagano, Christopher H. Schilling, Tami L. Sivy and Ron R. Williams from Saginaw Valley State University will acquire a Raman spectrometer, a thermal gravimetric analysis instrument (TGA), and a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The instruments will be used to study the production of novel biodegradable plastics from regional agricultural and bio-fuel waste products and to analyze tubular precipitation structures formed in geological and biological systems. Raman spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry will be used to correlate the spectral and thermal properties associated with specific intermolecular interactions and transitions in materials, with their physical/mechanical properties. The Raman spectrum provides information on the chemical composition and structure of materials. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) measures weight changes in a material as a function of temperature providing information on the decomposition or evaporation from a sample as it is heated. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measures the heat required to raise the temperature of a material and helps to identify physical changes, such as phase transitions. The combined use of these instruments will allow for the improvement of bio-plastics, optimizing their tensile strength and reducing brittleness.