MRI: Acquisition of a High Resolution Atomic Force Microscope for Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Research and Education at Fordham University

福特汉姆大学的Ipsita Banerjee教授和他的同事John McMahon、Stephen Holler、peter Shibayev和Christopher Koenigsmann获得了来自主要研究仪器（MRI）和化学研究仪器和设施项目的奖项，他们已经获得了一台高分辨率原子力显微镜（AFM）。AFM与光学显微镜不同，它不使用光来成像。原子力显微镜使用一种显微镜探针（针状装置）穿过物体表面。当探针在表面移动时，它会产生电信号来描述表面的特性（硬度、粗糙度、裂缝、润湿性、弹性等）。通过这种方式，它产生了表面的图像。这个信息对于表面的视觉特征是很重要的。原子力显微镜有助于理解为什么化学反应可能发生在表面上，或者为什么表面不反应（惰性）。一般来说，AFM有三个主要功能：力测量、成像和操作。原子力显微镜是开发新型材料的重要工具，用于燃料电池催化、增强型太阳能电池板和非常小的纳米颗粒传感器，所有这些都依赖于特定的表面性质和形态。AFM用于表征生物组织、病毒和药物传递材料。该仪器用于本科生研究项目，培训这些学生使用该技术，并为他们将来在工作场所从事技术职业和在科学、工程和医学领域获得高级学位做好准备。该奖项旨在加强各级的研究和教育，特别是在以下领域：(a)研究组织支架，蛋白质动力学和病毒纳米颗粒，(b)研究微腔光子学，(c)分析催化和燃料电池的纳米材料，(d)研究碘在银/碘化银（Ag/AgI）燃料电池阴极的氧还原光催化中的作用，以及(e)研究刺激响应液晶和液晶聚合物。

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) and Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities Programs, Professor Ipsita Banerjee from Fordham University and colleagues John McMahon, Stephen Holler, Petr Shibayev and Christopher Koenigsmann have acquired a high resolution atomic force microscope (AFM). An AFM, unlike an optical microscope, does not use light to create an image. An AFM employs a microscopic probe (needle-like device) that passes over a surface. As the probe moves across the surface it generates electrical signals which describe the properties of the surface (hardness, roughness, cracks, wettability, elasticity, etc.). In this way, it produces an image of the surface. This information is important for visually characterizing the surface. AFM is useful for understanding why a chemical reaction may occur on the surface, or why the surface is unreactive (inert). In general, an AFM has three major abilities: force measurement, imaging, and manipulation. An AFM is an important tool in the development of novel materials for fuel cell catalysis, enhanced solar panels, and for very small nanoparticle sensors, all of which rely on specific surface properties and morphology. AFM is used to characterize biological tissue, viruses and drug delivery materials. The instrument is employed in undergraduate research projects training these students in the use of this technique and preparing them for future technological careers in the workplace and advanced degrees in science, engineering and medical fields. The award is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels, especially in areas such as (a) studying tissue scaffolds, protein dynamics and viral nanoparticles, (b) studying microcavity photonics, (c) analyzing nanomaterials for catalysis and fuel cells, (d) examining the role of iodine in the photocatalysis of oxygen reduction at a silver/silver iodide (Ag/AgI) fuel cell cathode and (e) studying stimuli-responsive liquid crystals and liquid crystalline polymers.