MRI: Acquisition of a Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM)

Eastern Illinois University, Charleston IL

Investigators

Abstract

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program, Svetlana Mitrovski and colleagues Kraig Wheeler, Thomas M. Over and Jie Zou from Eastern Illinois University will acquire a scanning probe microscope. The instrument will enhance research in a number of areas including studies of electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction based on conductive metal oxides; thermal conduction in semiconductor nanostructures; forces between soil particles in support of wind erosion prediction; heteroepitaxial crystal growth of quasiracemates; characterization of spider silks; and interactions between stationary and mobile phases in chromatographic separations. A scanning probe microscope provides an image of a surface by moving a microscopic probe tip across the material under investigation. After a series of scans in the x-y directions, the image produced provides information on the nature of the surface and substances adhered to it. It is a powerful modern technique in chemistry, physics, biology, materials and geosciences research. The instrument will be used by undergraduates in their research projects and in laboratory courses in several departments at Eastern Illinois University.