MRI: Acquisition of a Raman Microscope for Spectroscopy and Imaging Applications of Novel Materials and Biological Samples

有了这个由主要研究仪器（MRI）计划和化学部颁发的奖项，Chad Leverette及其同事Garriet Smith和Monty W。来自南卡罗来纳州大学（艾肯）的Fetterolf将获得一台拉曼显微镜，用于新材料和生物样品的光谱和成像应用。 该奖项将加强研究，特别是在研究领域，包括（1）开发新的纳米结构表面增强拉曼（Sers）和表面增强红外（SEIRA）双光谱传感器利用掠射角气相沉积（GLAD），（2）痕量检测和区分环境中的放射性核素，（3）调查和确定在患病珊瑚海扇防御机制，以及（4）分析用于储氢应用的合成的新型无机材料。 拉曼光谱测量样品中原子和分子之间的振动频率。 这些频率的识别提供了关于材料的化学成分和结构的信息。 这种广泛使用的技术，采用激光探测材料，是非破坏性的。 拉曼显微镜允许扫描整个样品以提供对激光探针的响应的空间图像。该工具将加强本科教育，将USCA学生与USCA两个独立部门的科学家，整个大学系统的科学家，国家实验室的研究人员以及当地产业联系起来。

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program and the Chemistry Division, Chad Leverette and colleagues Garriet Smith and Monty W. Fetterolf from University of South Carolina (Aiken) will acquire a Raman microscope for spectroscopy and imaging applications of novel materials and biological samples. The award will enhance research especially in areas of study that include (1) developing novel nanostructured surface-enhanced Raman (SERS) and surface-enhanced infrared (SEIRA) dual spectroscopic sensors utilizing glancing angle vapor deposition (GLAD), (2) the trace detection and differentiation of radionuclides in the environment, (3) investigating and determining the defense mechanisms in diseased coral sea fans, and (4) analyzing novel inorganic materials synthesized for hydrogen storage applications. Raman spectroscopy measures the vibrational frequencies between atoms and molecules in a sample. Identification of these frequencies provides information on the chemical composition and structure of the material. This widely used technique, employing lasers to probe the material, is non-destructive. A Raman microscope allows one to scan across a sample to provide a spatial image of the response to the laser probe. This instrument will strengthen undergraduate education by connecting USCA students with scientists in two separate departments at USCA, with scientists throughout the university system, with researchers at a national laboratory, and with local industry.