FTIR spectrometer imaging components and computer workstation for the study of nanofluids

本提案所要求的研究工具和仪器将用于纳米流体的表征和基础研究。纳米流体是一种新型的纳米复合流体，在传热、光学、示踪等方面有着广泛的应用。它们由常规流体（如水、乙二醇）组成，其中含有纳米颗粒悬浮液，这些纳米颗粒赋予宿主流体新的或增强的特性。中近红外傅里叶变换红外（FTIR）光谱仪将用于测定处理后的宿主流体的化学结构和沉积在纳米颗粒上的稳定纳米层。连续波激光器和相关光学元件将用于成像纳米颗粒分散在纳米流体中的宏观动力学和局部流体位移。反过来，这些结果将用于更好地理解用这种流体观察到的异常质量/热输运现象。计算机工作站将用于图像处理和纳米流体动力学的计算建模。FTIR光谱仪将被该系的其他研究人员用于支持他们各自的研究活动：-药品降解（V. Yargeau教授）：获得代谢产物和降解产物的结构信息。鉴别药品在化学和生物降解过程中形成的产物。这些信息将用于改进治疗方法和减轻药物在环境中的释放。-细胞培养工作（教授R. Leask）：验证蛋白质附着在表面。大多数哺乳动物细胞更喜欢有一层由蛋白质组成的基底膜，以便于适当的附着。FTIR光谱是一种极好的无破坏性的方法，可以确保在细胞培养前适当的涂膜。-天然气水合物的形成（Prof. P. Servio）：研究水溶液中形成的天然气水合物的化学结构。

The research tools and instruments requested in this proposal will be used for the characterization and fundamental study of nanofluids. Nanofluids represent a novel kind of nanocomposite fluids with applications in heat transfer, optics, and as tracer fluids. They consist of regular fluids (e.g. water, ethylene glycol) hosting a suspension of nanoparticles which impart novel or enhanced properties to the host fluids. A mid- to near-IR range Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer will be used for the determination of the chemical structure of the processed host fluid and stabilization nanolayers deposited onto the nanoparticles. A CW laser and associated optical components will be used to image the macroscale dynamics of nanoparticles dispersed in the nanofluids and local fluid displacements. In turn, these results will be used to gain a better understanding of the anomalous mass/heat transport phenomena observed with such fluids. A computer workstation will be used for the image processing and computational modeling of the nanofluids dynamics. The FTIR spectrometer will be used by other researchers of the department to support their respective research activities: - Degradation of pharmaceuticals products (Prof. V. Yargeau): To obtain structural information on the metabolites and degradation products formed. To identify products formed during chemical and biological degradation of pharmaceuticals. The information will be used to improve the treatment methods and mitigate the release of pharmaceuticals in the environment. - Cell culture work (Prof. R. Leask): To verify protein attachment to surfaces. Most mammalian cells prefer to have a basement membrane of protein for proper attachment. FTIR spectroscopy is an excellent no-destructive way of ensuring proper coating before cell culture. - Gas hydrate formation (Prof. P. Servio): To investigate the chemical structures of gas hydrates formed in aqueous solutions.