MRI: Acquisition of a Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)-Raman Microscope

该奖项由主要研究仪器(MRI)、化学研究仪器(CRIF)计划和既定的激励竞争研究计划(EPSCoR)支持。特拉华大学的卡尔·布克什教授和他的同事劳尔·F·洛博、约翰·F·拉博尔特、托马斯·E·汉森和乔斯林·阿尔坎塔拉-加西亚获得了原子力拉曼显微镜。拉曼显微镜是表面和块体样品的主要表征技术。显微镜使用激光扫描样品，产生振动光谱数据，提供有关材料的化学信息。原子力显微镜(AFM)还使用小探针或尖端扫描样品，以提供有关表面的信息，如表面形貌、硬度、电和热性能。在原子力显微镜-拉曼显微镜中结合这两种技术，可以从样品的相同区域提供这两种类型的信息。它在纯科学、应用科学和工程学的研究工作中有着广泛的应用。一个重要的应用是利用表面上的催化剂将甲烷转化为甲醇等化学品的研究。该显微镜将使研究表面物种的反应作为反应条件的函数，以优化有价值的产品的产量。此次收购将影响特拉华大学(UD)的5所学院、13个系，以及特拉华州立大学(DSU，HBCU)和温特图尔博物馆的用户。拉曼显微镜将使密歇根州立大学和得克萨斯州立大学的女性、少数民族和初级教职员工受益匪浅。还将大大加强对大量女性和代表性不足的少数民族学生的研究和培训。这项提议旨在加强各级的研究和教育。对三层同轴电纺聚合物纳米纤维的结构和形态进行了研究，并对高拉伸强度聚合物进行了分析。人们正在研究表面的化学改性、含铜沸石催化剂上的甲烷活化以及木质纤维生物质的催化转化为化学品和燃料。层次化半导体纳米复合材料的合成是另一个受益于该仪器的研究领域。探讨了环境样品中微生物的铁、硫氧化作用和生物矿物组成，以及青绿杆菌硫代谢的机理和调控。温特图尔博物馆保护部下属的温特图尔科学研究和分析实验室正在使用显微镜提供的无损仪器技术来分析艺术品和文化遗产。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This award is supported by the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI), the Chemistry Research Instrumentation (CRIF) programs and the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). Professor Karl Booksh from the University of Delaware and colleagues Raul F Lobo, John F Rabolt, Thomas E Hanson and Jocelyn Alcantara-Garcia have acquired an atomic force Raman microscope. Raman microscopy is a principal characterization technique for both surfaces and bulk samples. Using a laser, the microscope scans a sample which produces vibrational spectroscopic data providing chemical information about the material. An atomic force microscope (AFM) also scans a sample using a small probe or tip to provide information about the surface such as topography, hardness, electrical and thermal properties. Combining the two techniques in an AFM-Raman microscope provides both types of information from the same regions of the sample. It has wide application in research endeavors across the pure and applied sciences and engineering. An important application is use in the investigation of converting methane to chemicals such as methanol using a catalyst on a surface. The microscope will enable study of the reaction of surface species as a function of reaction conditions to optimize the yield of valuable products. The acquisition will impact 5 colleges, 13 departments at the University of Delaware (UD) and users at Delaware State University (DSU, an HBCU) and the Winterthur Museum. The Raman microscope will significantly benefit female, minority, and junior faculty at both UD and DSU. The research and training of a significant number of female and underrepresented minority students will also be greatly enhanced.The proposal is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels. The structure and morphology of trilayer coaxial electrospun polymer nanofibers is under investiation, and analysis of high tensile strength polymers. Chemical modification of surfaces, methane activation over copper-containing zeolite catalysts and catalytic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to chemicals and fuels is being studied. Synthesis of hierarchical semiconducting nano-composites is another research area to benefit from the instrument. The microbial iron- and sulfur-oxidation and biomineral composition in environmental samples is explored, and mechanisms and control of sulfur metabolism in chlorobaculum tepidum. The Winterthur Scientific Research and Analysis laboratory within the Department of Conservation at Winterthur Museum is using the non-destructive instrumental technique afforded by the microscope in the analysis of works of art and cultural heritage.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.