Infrastructure Enhancement of Soft Materials Research/Education at NSU
Abstract
This application plans to acquire two important instruments that are essential for all soft (such as organic, polymer, or biological type) material research and education at Norfolk State University (NSU): 1) A State of the Art Bruker 400 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer to augment existing and provide new capabilities on materials structure and dynamic studies, and 2) A State of the Art Time Of Flight Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI-TOF) spectrometer on macromolecule composition and size/repeating unit studies. The acquisition of the proposed NMR and MALDI-TOF spectrometers will have a significant and positive impact on research and education to several NSU s existing STEM programs, particularly the graduate MS and PhD programs in materials science and engineering, and a number of undergraduate STEM programs . Proposed new instruments will directly enhance NSU s ongoing DOD sponsored research projects on soft materials (including organic, polymeric, and supramolecular electronic and optoelectronic materials For instance, lightweight, flexible, renewable, cost effective, environmental friendly, biocompatible, and high efficient photoelectric a thermoelectric conversions has become a key scientific and technological challenge for defense due to widespread use of remote and mobile sensor and power supplies in modem battlefield. The short term objectives of the soft material project is to investigate and develop certain molecular, organic, polymeric, or hybrid composite systems for high efficiency photoelectric, thermoelectric, or photo- /thermo-electric multi-functional conversions. The long-term objectives of the soft materials project include investigation and elucidation of the fundamental mechanisms of photo- and thermo- induced electron transfer processes in molecular, organic, polymeric hybrid materials systems, for instance, the correlations between the molecular structures, frontier orbitals, solid state morphologies, to electron transfers and material bulk photo- and thermo- electric conversions. Another key long term objective is the education and train of future generation scientists or technical work force on the subject matter. Potential outcomes and impacts for the acquisition of new equipment and soft materials projects include, but may not be limited to, ne knowledge or critical information on fundamental mechanisms of certain photo- and thermo- induced electron transfers at molecular le and strategies to improve molecular, organic, polymeric, or hybrid photo- and thermo- electric conversions, potential development of relevant lightweight and flexible shaped functional materials and devices. The project also has positive impact to our planet due to the potential reduction of the carbon dioxide emissions and toxic gas pollutions from the burning of the chemical fossil fuels. Other import outcome or impacts include the education and training of future generation scientists and engineers, particularly under-represented groups in the frontiers of this fast growing scientific and technological area. NSU is committed to the education and training of a diversified population of students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs. The award of the proposed new instruments to NSU would greatly enhance the capability and quality NSU STEM research, education, and student training programs, as it would expose students to these cutting-edge and state of the art research instrumentations and research /educational activities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 11, 2018
- Source ID
- W911NF1710450
Entities
People
- Sam-Shajing Sun
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Norfolk State University
- Office of the Secretary of Defense