MRI: Acquisition of a Rheometer for Interdisciplinary Material Science Research and Training of Undergraduate Researchers

该奖项来自重大研究仪器项目，用于支持圣地亚哥大学购买流变仪。流变仪通常被用来研究软材料(例如凝胶)的流动和变形作为作用力和时间的函数。流变仪测量粘度等特性，这是对流动阻力的测量。例如，水比蜂蜜更容易流动，所以它的粘度更低。粘弹性材料是指在变形时既表现出粘性又表现出弹性的材料。所获得的流变仪能够精确控制样品温度，并提供流动下样品的直接微观可视化。流变仪还配备了测量固体材料拉伸和弯曲强度的工具。该仪器将使圣地亚哥大学的教职员工能够对与生物聚合物(例如DNA溶液)和抗菌材料的行为相关的主题进行尖端研究。该流变仪将用于为生物工程和物理等不同学科的本科生提供实践培训。该仪器还将使一门新的生物材料跨学科课程的开发成为可能。配备多种附件的最先进的流变仪将满足圣地亚哥大学的不同研究和教学需求，圣地亚哥大学是一所以本科为主的教学机构。这一工具将大大推进圣地亚哥大学的四个具体项目。首先，它将被用来回答关于剪切如何影响流体-流体相分离的问题。其次，它将测量用于输送抗菌剂的淀粉水凝胶的机械性能。第三，它将确定微生物的粘液分泌物和聚集体如何改变海水的流变性。最后，它将测量生物材料的粘弹性特性，包括细胞骨架网络和缠绕的DNA溶液。这些主要项目，以及圣地亚哥大学和邻近机构的其他项目，将因这一最先进的流变仪而大大推进。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, from the Major Research Instrumentation program, supports the University of San Diego's acquisition of a rheometer. Rheometers are routinely used to study the flow and deformation of soft materials (for example, gels) as a function of applied force and time. Rheometers measure properties such as viscosity, which is a measure of resistance to flow. For instance, water flows easier than honey, so it has a lower viscosity. Viscoelastic materials are those that exhibit both viscous and elastic characteristics under deformation. The rheometer to be acquired is capable of precisely controlling sample temperature, and it also provides direct microscopic visualization of samples under flow. The rheometer also is equipped with tools to measure the tensile and bending strength of solid materials. This instrument will enable the University of San Diego faculty to conduct cutting-edge research on topics related to the behavior of biopolymers (for example, DNA solutions) and antibacterial materials. The rheometer will be used to provide hands-on training of undergraduates across different disciplines such as bioengineering and physics. The instrument also will enable the development of a new interdisciplinary course on biomaterials.A state-of-the-art rheometer equipped with multiple accessories will accommodate diverse research and teaching needs at the University of San Diego, a primarily undergraduate teaching institution. This instrument will significantly advance four specific projects at the University of San Diego. First, it will be used to answer questions on how fluid-fluid phase separation is influenced by shear. Second, it will measure the mechanical properties of starch hydrogels which are used to deliver antimicrobial agents. Third, it will determine how the rheological properties of seawater are altered by mucous secretions and aggregates of microorganisms. Finally, it will measure the viscoelastic properties of biomaterials including cytoskeletal networks and entangled DNA solutions. These main projects, as well as others at the University of San Diego and at neighboring institutions, will be advanced substantially by this state-of-the-art rheometer.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.