Acquisition of a Raman Microscope for Interdisciplinary Research and Education
Abstract
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 and the Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations Act for 2014 allocated $10.7M to assist Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI) and to enhance their research and education capabilities in scientific areas relevant to the defense mission. The FY 2014 program supports the acquisition of research equipment and instrumentation to augment existing capabilities and to develop new capabilities that will facilitate greater participation in DoD research programs and encourage more students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. This proposal from Principal Investigator, Dr. Kai Shen, requests support for the acquisition of a Horiba LabRAM HR Evolution Raman Microscope to strengthen interdisciplinary research and education activities at Savannah State University, a Historically Black University (HBCU), particularly in the areas of chemistry, forensic science, marine science, environmental science, and biology. The proposed instrument will greatly expand capacity for research, teaching, and outreach; it will also stimulate inter-disciplinary research collaborations across the University and in the coastal Georgia region. The Principal Investigator has substantial experience with Raman spectroscopy and a strong record of interdisciplinary research and collaboration. He will be in charge of instrument operation and routine maintenance and will provide training for this instrument. The Raman microscope, in combination with sophisticated instruments at Savannah State University, will enable investigators to acquire unique sample information for solving their research questions and to catalyze new lines of interdisciplinary research. The requested instrument will enable researchers to extract protein conformation changes upon binding to various ligands. Faculty and students will employ the Raman microscope to monitor exceedingly small changes in Raman spectra and to determine the composition of calcite biominerals. To optimize the DNA-based hybrid catalysts, the Raman microscope will be used to examine structural changes of DNA molecules in ionic solvents. It will also enable research and qualitative knowledge of various phosphorus species and their associations in the presence of major soil cations. These civilian research projects will have important military applications, such as treatment of brain injury related AlzheimerÕs disease, terrain characterization and analysis for military operations, and new catalyst system development for military medicine. Besides enhancing research capacity at Savannah State University, a HBCU, the instrument will have a profound positive impact on STEM education (including the Army ROTC program) and outreach. It will help student researchers develop skills and experience in important modern analytical techniques, particularly Raman spectroscopy. Thus, they will be better prepared for future graduate studies and careers in STEM fields. The instrument will be used mainly in upper level undergraduate and graduate courses in three disciplines: forensic science, marine science, and chemistry. A total of 11 courses, with an annual enrollment of more than 160 students, will include applications of Raman spectroscopy, so students will gain hands-on experience with this state-of-the-art instrument. In addition, the instrument will serve as an education vehicle for local high school teachers and students to access advanced Raman techniques.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 12, 2017
- Source ID
- W911NF1510037
Entities
People
- Kai Shen
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Savannah State University