MRI:Acquisition of an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope

技术总结。得克萨斯州泛美大学（UTPA），长期以来一直被认为是一个为代表性不足的少数民族服务的教学机构，正在经历一个过渡，以加强校园研究。 环境扫描电子显微镜的收购将扩大参与者的研究范围，以新颖和新鲜的方向解决当前和新的科学问题。具体而言，拟议的设备将支持项目，以推进纳米纤维/纳米线的加工，开发和表征，智能材料，纳米增强材料（包括通过将具有不同功能的纳米颗粒分散在选定的聚合物基质中获得的聚合物基纳米复合材料）和功能化纳米多孔材料的开发和表征。纳米粒子的化学改性及其对纳米增强材料的物理性能的影响，纳米填料（包括纳米复合材料和纳米负载流体）的取向的影响，以及复杂流体，聚合物和纳米增强材料的扩散过程和溶解度的调查将被研究。这些活动涵盖了化学、物理、机械、电气和制造工程等广泛的课程。得克萨斯州泛美大学（UTPA），长期以来一直被认为是一个为代表性不足的少数民族服务的教学机构，正在经历一个过渡，这将加强校园里的研究。UTPA正在快速发展，支持和发展教师研究事业的需求也在加剧。众所周知，通过提供最先进的研究机会和对本科生（UG）的重要指导和监督，可以鼓励他们攻读研究生院和/或更好地将他们培养为行业领导者。 这笔赠款将成为促进UTPA和其他机构之间多学科合作的坚实基础。目前在纳米增强复合材料、智能材料和功能化纳米多孔材料的开发和表征方面的研究工作，以及非织造纳米纤维/纳米线垫的开发（具有作为组织支架、伤口敷料、过滤、选择性渗透膜、柔性电池的潜在应用，以及化学和生物防护服）由于缺乏所要求的环境扫描电子显微镜（ESEM）而受到阻碍。由于UTPA是一个非博士授予机构，大部分项目将由UG和MS进行。学生，其中85%是西班牙裔，有机会体验最先进的研究有限。ESEM将加强现有的课程，并将由于这笔资金而开发更多的课程。该仪器将促进与小企业的合作研究，以及与格兰德河谷当地制造实体的培训计划，其中一个重要部分是致力于聚合物行业。该项目包括一个令人兴奋的活动，为K-12学生称为“如何小是小。"

Technical Summary. The University of Texas Pan American (UTPA), long respected as a teaching institution serving underrepresented minorities, is undergoing a transition to enhance research on campus. The acquisition of the Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope will broaden the research scope of participants to address current and new scientific problems in novel and fresh directions. Specifically, the proposed equipment will support projects to advance processing, development and characterization of nanofibers/nanowires, development and characterization of smart materials, nanoreinforced materials (including polymer based nanocomposite materials obtained by dispersing nanoparticles with different functionalities within selected polymeric matrices) and functionalized nanoporous materials. Investigations on the chemical modifications of nanoparticles and their effect on the physical properties of nanoreinforced materials, on the effect of the orientation of nanofillers (including nanocomposites and nano laden fluids), and the diffusion processes and solubility of complex fluids, polymers, and nanoreinforced materials will be studied. The activities cover a wide spectrum of programs in Chemistry, Physics, and Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering.Layman Summary. The University of Texas Pan American (UTPA), long respected as a teaching institution serving underrepresented minorities, is undergoing a transition that will enhance research on campus. UTPA is growing at a fast pace and the need to support and develop faculty research careers has intensified. It is well known that by providing state-of-the-art research opportunities and by significant mentoring and supervision to undergraduates (UG), it is possible to encourage them to pursue graduate school and/or better train them as leaders in industry. This grant will be a strong foundation in fostering multidisciplinary collaborations within UTPA and among other institutions. Current research efforts in the development and characterization of nanoreinforced composites, smart materials, and functionalized nanoporous materials, as well as the development of nonwoven nanofibers/nanowires mats (with potential applications as tissue scaffolds, wound dressing, filtration, selective permeability membranes, flexible batteries, and chemical and biological protective clothing to mention some) produced by a newly developed process are hindered by the lack of the requested Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM). Since UTPA is a non PhD granting institution, most of the projects will be carried out by UG and M.S. students, 85 percent of whom are Hispanic and have had limited opportunities to experience state of the art research. The ESEM will strengthen existent courses and several more will be developed as a result of this funding. The instrument will foster collaborative research with small businesses as well as, training programs with the Rio Grande Valley's local manufacturing entities, an important segment of which is dedicated to the polymer industry. The project includes an exciting activity for K-12 students called "How Small is SMALL."