MRI: Acquisition of a Goniometer-Based Light Scattering System for Research and Training at the University of Mississippi

有了这项来自主要研究仪器（MRI）计划的奖项，密西西比大学（UM）将获得一种基于测角仪的光散射仪器。光散射是一种多功能的工具，用于对各种系统进行非破坏性表征，包括合成聚合物、生物聚合物（如蛋白质和核酸）以及胶体颗粒悬浮液。该仪器利用激光与样品中的颗粒相互作用。当粒子散射激光时，它们传递了关于它们在溶液中运动的信息。对这些信息的分析使研究人员能够确定大量信息，包括溶液中颗粒的大小，形状和相互作用，而无需在样品制备或方法开发方面进行大量投资。来自化学工程，化学和制药学的UM研究人员的多学科团队将监督光散射仪器的获取和操作。此次收购将加强本科生和研究生研究人员在使用现代分析技术进行材料表征方面的培训，并将纳入密西西比大学本科生和研究生的课程。获得能够同时进行静态和动态光散射测量的光散射仪器将加强以下领域的研究：（a）刺激物的自组装-溶液中的响应性嵌段共聚物，（B）开发用于地下CO2隔离的纤维素纳米晶体，（c）检查通过跨膜蛋白影响细胞粘附的微环境因素，（d）开发用于触发药物释放的氧化还原响应性聚合物纳米颗粒，（e）开发刺激响应性核酸递送载体，（f）多功能石墨烯-聚合物纳米复合材料的研究，以及（g）用于持续释放的Janus树枝状聚合物的结构-性质模型的研究

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program, the University of Mississippi (UM) will acquire a goniometer-based light scattering instrument. Light scattering is a versatile tool for the non-destructive characterization of a wide variety of systems including synthetic polymers, biopolymers such as proteins and nucleic acids, and suspensions of colloidal particles. The instrument utilizes a laser to interact with particles in a sample. As the particles scatter light from the laser, they impart information about their motion in solution. The analysis of this information allows researchers to determine a wealth of information including the size, shape, and interactions of the particles in solution without requiring a substantial investment in sample preparation or method development. A multidisciplinary team of UM researchers from chemical engineering, chemistry, and pharmaceutics will oversee the acquisition and operation of the light scattering instrument. The acquisition will enhance the training of both undergraduate and graduate researchers in the use of modern analytical techniques for materials characterization and will be incorporated in courses taken by undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Mississippi.The acquisition of a light scattering instrument capable of simultaneous static and dynamic light scattering measurements will enhance research in the areas of (a) self-assembly of stimuli- responsive block copolymers in solution, (b) development of cellulose nanocrystals for underground CO2 sequestration, (c) the examination of microenvironmental factors that influence cell adhesion by transmembrane proteins, (d) the development of redox-responsive polymer nanoparticles for triggered drug release, (e) the development of stimuli-responsive nucleic acid delivery vehicles, (f) an investigation on multifunctional graphene-polymer nanocomposites, and (g) the study of structure-property models of Janus dendrimers for sustained release