MRI: Acquisition of a Raman Imaging Microscope at Western Washington University

该奖项由主要研究仪器和化学研究仪器计划支持。西华盛顿大学正在购买一台拉曼成像显微镜，以支持史蒂文·埃默里教授和他的同事：肖恩·马尔卡希、大卫·赖德、应宝和曼努埃尔·蒙塔诺。该光谱仪允许在具有重要经济意义的各种领域进行研究。一般来说，拉曼显微镜从标准光学显微镜开始，然后使用激光扫描样品的表面以在整个视场上实现化学图像。激光波长探测表面并产生光谱，识别材料中的化学成分。该分析提供了有关材料性质的有用信息。这是定性和半定量鉴定化学成分的有力分析工具。该显微镜被用于许多重要的研究领域，是该机构和附近大学（如Whatcom社区学院和太平洋路德大学）本科生教学、研究和研究培训的一个组成部分。授予拉曼显微镜的目的是加强各级研究和教育。仪器的获取影响了聚合物-纳米颗粒复合材料在能源和催化应用方面的研究，以及地球上丰富的光催化剂在太阳能燃料中的应用。该仪器用于探索有机晶体在电子纳米器件中的应用，以及氧化锌薄膜在能源相关工艺中的应用。此外，拉曼显微镜提供了使用纳米材料进行表面增强检测和成像以及制造等离子体金纳米棒和纳米线传感器的信息。该显微镜用于研究聚合物材料的潜在生物医学应用和量化环境中的纳米材料。该仪器还被用于古俯冲带变形条件的研究和环境微塑料的毒理学评估。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估而被认为值得支持。

This award is supported by the Major Research Instrumentation and the Chemistry Research Instrumentation programs. Western Washington University is acquiring a Raman imaging microscope to support Professor Steven Emory and colleagues: Sean Mulcahy, David Rider, Ying Bao and Manuel Montaño. This spectrometer allows research in a variety of fields of significant economic importance. In general, a Raman microscope begins with a standard optical microscope but then uses a laser to scan the surface of a sample to implement a chemical image over the entire field of view. The laser wavelengths probe the surface and produce a spectrum which identifies chemical components in the material. This analysis gives useful information on the properties of the material. This is a powerful analytical tool for identifying chemical composition qualitatively and semi-quantitatively. The microscope is being used in a number of important research areas and is an integral part of teaching as well as research and research training of undergraduate students both at this institution and at nearby universities such as Whatcom Community College and Pacific Lutheran University.The award of the Raman microscope is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels. The instrument acquisition impacts studies of polymer-nanoparticle composites for energy and catalysis applications and the use of earth-abundant photocatalysts for solar fuels. The instrumentation is used for exploring the utilization of organic crystals for electronic nanodevices and in applications of zinc oxide films in energy-related processes. In addition, the Raman Microscope provides information for employing nanomaterials for surface-enhanced detection and imaging as well as in making plasmonic gold nanorod and nanowire sensors. The microscope is used to study polymeric materials for potential biomedical applications and quantifying nanomaterials in the environment. The instrument is also employed in studies of deformation conditions of ancient subduction zones and in evaluating the toxicology of environmental microplastics.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.