MRI: Acquisition of a powder X-ray diffractometer for Research and Educational Training in Crystallographic Characterization of Nanostructured materials

非技术摘要：这一重大研究仪器(MRI)奖是为了获得粉末X射线衍射仪(XRD)，用于纳米结构材料的结晶学表征方面的研究和教育培训。这种新的X射线衍射仪将加强塔斯基吉大学在可持续和先进纳米材料这一新兴领域的研究能力。这种先进的多功能X射线衍射仪将促进塔斯基吉大学多个系、合作机构和当地行业之间的合作。有了这台仪器的能力，研究人员的目标是从根本上了解各种纳米材料的晶体结构，包括下一代先进的可持续绿色材料，这些材料将有助于减少碳足迹和缓解对全球变暖的担忧，并将对高级研究方法的教育和学生培训产生重大影响。拟议中的仪器将改善塔斯基吉大学材料科学与工程(MSE)的现有课程。该仪器与塔斯基吉大学现有的其他最先进的设施一起，将促进该大学努力招收有前途的学生进入MSE研究生课程和MSE本科辅修课程。预计这将有助于培养出大量的非裔美国人毕业生，从本科生到博士生。这一多样化的学生群体将通过研究、实践学习模块和多所大学的互动接受跨学科培训。研究和教育活动的整合将有助于培养下一代具有全球竞争力的非裔美国科学家、工程师和企业家。这些研究和培训活动将加强塔斯基吉大学的研发企业和基础设施，使其在新兴的可持续和先进纳米材料领域具有全国竞争力。技术摘要：塔斯基吉大学投入了大量的精力和资源，从天然废物资源中合成各种纳米材料，用于生物、制药、能源和聚合物填料应用。例如，纳米多孔碳和硅酸钙、羟基磷灰石和碳酸钙的纳米颗粒已经在内部开发，并对形状、大小和生长模式进行了精确控制。此外，正在努力开发先进的绿色纳米复合材料和多铁复合材料。只有当纳米颗粒与聚合物和生物细胞等宿主材料之间具有良好的分散性和良好的相互作用时，纳米颗粒的掺入才有助于改善复合材料的性能，这可以而且需要通过纳米晶体结构分析来确定。这种最先进的X射线衍射仪将增强研究能力，并使人们能够从根本上了解用于结构、生物和能源应用的纳米颗粒和纳米复合材料的晶相科学。拟议的研究仪器将通过以下方式对教育和人力资源开发产生重大影响：a)开发用于电子应用的多铁性纳米材料，b)利用农业废弃物开发纳米生物材料，c)研究低温等离子体处理对聚己内酯改性的影响，d)通过强迫纺丝开发用于组织工程应用的纳米纤维垫，e)开发用于组织工程应用的3D打印支架，f)在制备新型3D打印植入式药物输送系统中对药物辅料混合物的表征，g)对纤维素生物质产品的晶体结构的研究，h)通过磁控溅射低温生长高质量的氧化镓薄膜，以及i)改进塔斯基吉大学(TU)现有的材料科学和工程课程。不同的学生群体将通过研究、实践学习模块和多所大学的互动接受跨学科培训。研究和教育活动的整合将有助于培养下一代具有全球竞争力的非裔美国科学家、工程师和企业家。这些研究和培训活动将加强TU的研发企业和基础设施，使其在可持续和先进的纳米材料新兴领域具有全国竞争力。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。

Non-Technical abstract:This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) award is to acquire a powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD) for research and educational training in the crystallographic characterization of nanostructured materials. This new XRD will strengthen Tuskegee University’s research capabilities in the emerging field of sustainable and advanced nanomaterials. This advanced multipurpose XRD will foster collaborations between several departments at Tuskegee University, partnering institutions and local industry. With the capabilities of this instrument, researchers aim to gain a fundamental understanding of the crystal structure of various nanomaterials including next generation advanced sustainable green materials that would help reduce carbon footprint and alleviate global warming concerns and will have significant impact in education and student training in advanced research methodologies. The proposed instrumentation will improve existing curriculum in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) at Tuskegee University. This instrument, along with other state-of-the-art facilities which exist at Tuskegee University, will boost the university’s efforts to recruit promising students to its graduate programs in MSE and undergraduate minor program in MSE. This is expected to help produce a large number of African-American graduates, from undergraduates through Ph.D students. This diverse group of students will receive transdisciplinary training through research, hands-on learning modules, and interactions across multiple universities. Integration of research and educational activities will help train next generation of globally competitive African-American scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. These research and training activities will enhance the R&D enterprise and infrastructure at Tuskegee University, making it nationally competitive in the emerging fields of sustainable and advanced nanomaterials. Technical abstract:At Tuskegee University, significant efforts and resources have been invested in synthesizing a variety of nanomaterials from natural waste resources for biological, pharmaceutical, energy and polymer filler applications. For example, nanoporous carbon, and nanoparticles of calcium silicates, hydroxyapatite, and calcium carbonate have been developed in-house with precise control on the shape, size and growth patterns. In addition, efforts are ongoing to develop advanced green nanocomposites and multiferroic composite materials. Incorporation of nanoparticles will help in improving the properties of composites only when there is good dispersion and excellent interaction between the nanoparticles and host materials such as polymers and biological cells, which can and need to be ascertained through nanocrystalline structural analysis. This state of art X-ray diffraction instrument will enhance research capabilities and allow fundamental understanding of the science of crystal phase of nanoparticles and nanocomposites for structural, biological and energy applications. The proposed research instrumentation will have significant impact on education and human resources development through: a) Development of multiferroic nanomaterials for electronic applications, b) Development of nano-biomaterials from agricultural wastes, c) Studies on effect of low temperature plasma treatment on modification of polycaprolactone, d) Development of nanofiber mats by force spinning for tissue engineering applications, e) Development of 3D printed scaffolds for tissue engineering applications, f) Characterization of drug excipient blends in the preparation of novel 3D printed implantable drug delivery systems, g) Studies on crystal structures of cellulosic biomass products, h) Low temperature growth of high quality gallium oxide thin films by magnetron sputtering, and i) Improvement of existing curriculum in materials science and engineering at Tuskegee University (TU). A diverse group of students will receive transdisciplinary training through research, hands-on learning modules, and interactions across multiple universities. Integration of research and educational activities will help train next generation of globally competitive African-American scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. These research and training activities will enhance the R&D enterprise and infrastructure at TU, making it nationally competitive in the emerging fields of sustainable and advanced nanomaterials.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.