MRI: Acquisition of a small angle X-ray diffractometer for in situ measurements of liquid to solid samples over a wide range of temperatures

非技术描述：这项重大研究仪器（MRI）拨款将使我们能够收购最先进的多功能X射线衍射仪，以填补利哈伊大学显微镜/光谱学材料表征基础设施的关键空白，从而实现独特，全面的材料表征，实现材料结构和功能的无缝关联。该仪器的多功能性，用于对各种生物，有机和无机样品类型进行补充询问，应有助于研究人员跨越化学生物分子工程，材料科学，化学，生物工程，机械工程，地球和环境科学以及物理学等多学科的努力，并提高学生的教育机会。通过使一站式材料表征独特的里海大学所在的地区，X射线衍射仪应该影响众多的区域初创公司，以成熟的行业以及同事在4个或更多的当地非博士授予，但研究活跃，学院和大学。对材料结构和功能的独特和全面洞察的新能力将使广泛的尖端科学和工程能够解决能源，环境和健康等广泛领域内的重大材料研究挑战。 开发和部署互补的互动教育X射线模块将影响国内和国际学生每年在利哈伊注册？的显微镜暑期学校和一系列的初中，高中和本科生在利哈伊教育推广计划。 所有这些方案都一致重视征聘妇女、代表性不足的少数民族和残疾人。 技术描述：这项重大研究仪器（MRI）拨款将支持收购最先进的、配置独特的Anton帕尔SAXSpace X射线衍射仪，该衍射仪具有同时和连续的小角度和广角功能以及多准直（线、点）X射线光束配置，适用于探测各种成分的甚至弱散射的各向同性和各向异性样品（例如，溶液、凝胶、粉末、薄膜）和温度。 原位张力测量，掠入射小和中等广角薄膜研究以及生物学分析的能力使这台仪器能够进行全面，非破坏性和高分辨率的多尺度（即，从分子到介观尺度）深入了解各种生物，聚合物和无机样品，这将增强，整合和创建新的，变革性的材料分析，与Lehigh现有的最先进的显微镜，光谱学和近端探针工具不同。 这种独特的、互补的洞察力将有助于建立变革性的合成-结构-性能关系，以实现高效、合理的材料设计。这将加强积极的研究，包括：（i）功能性、介孔结构和介孔无机材料，（ii）有机、无机和混合膜、掩埋界面，以及（iii）生物和混合材料，通过具体的跨学科项目，应用于生物质到化学品转化的催化剂、用于低成本液体燃料生产的光催化剂、用于硬组织再生的生物活性玻璃支架，仿生材料和多功能纳米复合材料的力学，仿生毒素传感的蛋白质和细胞膜相行为，以及新型治疗设计等。

Non-technical Description:This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant will enable the acquisition of a state-of-the-art versatile X-ray diffractometer to fill a critical gap in Lehigh University's microscopy/spectroscopy materials characterization infrastructure enabling unique, comprehensive materials characterization for seamless correlation of material structure and function. The versatility of the instrument for complementary interrogation of a wide range of biological, organic and inorganic sample types should facilitate multi-disciplinary efforts of researchers spanning Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Bioengineering, Mechanical Engineering, Earth and Environmental Science, and Physics, among others, and enhance educational opportunities for students. By enabling one-stop materials characterization unique to the region in which Lehigh University is located, the X-ray diffractometer should impact numerous regional start-up companies to well-established industries as well as colleagues at 4 or more local non-PhD granting, but research-active, colleges and universities. The new capabilities for unique and comprehensive insight into materials structure and function will enable a wide range of cutting edge science and engineering aimed at solving Grand Materials Research Challenges within the broad arenas of energy, the environment, and health. Development and deployment of complementary interactive educational X-ray modules will impact domestic and international students enrolled annually in Lehigh?s Microscopy Summer School and a range of middle school, high school, and undergraduate students in educational outreach programs at Lehigh. All of these programs place concerted focus on the recruitment of women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities. Technical Description:This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant will support acquisition of a state-of-the-art, uniquely configured Anton Paar SAXSpace X-ray diffractometer that has simultaneous and continuous small- and wide-angle capabilities and multi-collimated (line, point) X-ray beam configurations suitable for probing even weakly scattering isotropic and anisotropic samples of a wide range of compositions (e.g., solutions, gels, powders, films) and temperatures. Capabilities for in situ tensiometry, grazing incidence small- and moderate wide-angle thin film studies, and biologics analysis uniquely equip this single instrument for comprehensive, non-destructive, and high-resolution multi-scale (i.e., molecular to meso-scale) insight into a diverse range of biological, polymeric and inorganic samples that will augment, integrate and create new, transformative materials analysis distinct from existing state-of-the-art microscopy, spectroscopy, and proximal probe tools at Lehigh. This unique, complementary insight will help establish transformative synthesis-structure-properties relations aimed at efficient and rational materials design. This should enhance active research spanning: (i) Functional, Meso-structured and Meso-porous Inorganic Materials, (ii) Organic, Inorganic, and Hybrid Films, Buried Interfaces, and (iii) Biological and Hybrid Materials, through specific interdisciplinary projects in applications as diverse as catalysts for biomass-to-chemicals conversion, photocatalysts for low-cost liquid fuel production, bioactive glass scaffolding for hard tissue regeneration, mechanics of biomimetic materials and multi-functional nanocomposites, protein and cell membrane phase behavior for biomimetic toxin sensing, and novel therapeutics design, among others.