MRI: Aquisition of Atomic Force Microscope to Advance Texas State University Materials Research

非技术性：这项授予德克萨斯州立大学圣马科斯分校的主要研究仪器(MRI)赠款为购买原子力显微镜(AFM)提供资金。这种高分辨率的仪器增强了德克萨斯州立大学的研究和教育能力，TxState是一家西班牙裔服务机构。由于AFM数据是高度可视化的，因此非科学家可以访问结果，因此将吸引尚未致力于STEM的学生。拟议的仪器购买将立即影响58名学生和博士后(在仪器的整个生命周期内将增加数百名用户)。在德克萨斯州立大学，55%的学生和博士后在科学和工程领域的代表性不足，将这一工具添加到TxState，将对多样化的学生群体和他们接受培训的机构产生长期影响。此外，这项收购尤其加强了NSF资助的材料界面PREM中心(PREM：材料研究和教育伙伴关系)的研究活动。PREM中心的一个主要目标是增加代表不足的少数群体对材料研究的参与。来自这台仪器的数据将影响旨在丰富我们生活的能源和医疗相关研究项目。技术：原子力显微镜(AFM)是一种在纳米尺度上识别表面特征的扫描探针技术。德克萨斯州立大学圣马科斯分校(德克萨斯州立大学)将使用原子力显微镜推进基础表面科学以及在能源和生物材料相关研究课题中的应用。具体地说，收购AFM研讨会生命科学AFM将影响以下材料研究领域：1)纳米复合材料，2)光活性生物偶联物的自组装，3)用于能量存储和转换的纳米材料，4)金属超分子组装，5)钙钛矿太阳能电池，以及6)刺激响应生物材料。

Non-technical: This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant awarded to Texas State University at San Marcos (TxState) provides funding for the acquisition of an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). This high-resolution instrument enhances the research and educational capabilities at TxState, a Hispanic Serving Institution. Because AFM data is highly visual, the results are accessible to non-scientists and will thus engage students not already committed to STEM. The proposed instrument acquisition will immediately impact 58 students and postdocs upon acquisition (with hundreds of additional users over the lifespan of the instrument). The addition of this tool to TxState, where 55% of the students and postdocs are underrepresented in science and engineering, will have a long-term impact on a diverse population of students and the institution in which they are trained. In addition, this acquisition strengthens, in particular, the research activities of the NSF-funded PREM Center on Interfaces in Materials (PREM: Partnerships in Research and Education in Materials). A primary goal of the PREM Center is to increase the participation of underrepresented minorities in materials research. Data from this instrument will impact energy and medical-related research projects that are intended to enrich our lives. Technical: Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) is a scanning probe technology that identifies surface features at the nanometer scale. AFM will be used by Texas State University at San Marcos (TxState) to advance fundamental surface science and applications in energy and biomaterials-related research topics. Specifically, this acquisition of a AFM Workshop Life Sciences AFM will impact the following materials research areas: 1) nanocomposites, 2) self-assembly of photoactive bioconjugates, 3) nanomaterials for energy storage and conversion, 4) metallo-supramolecular assembly, 5) perovskite solar cells, and 6) stimuli-responsive biomaterials.