Acquisition of an X-ray Diffractometer for Research and Teaching in the Physical Sciences
Abstract
The Department of Chemistry at San JosŽ State University (SJSU) proposes to purchase an X-ray diffractometer to support both instructional and research activities. This instrument will be shared with other departments in the College of Science and around SJSU. As part of a minority serving institution, the College of Science, and in particular the Chemistry Department, promotes and supports the inclusion of under-represented minorities in the sciences and in cutting edge scientific research. To support this goal, we aim to provide access to state of the art instrumentation for use in both teaching and research. The proposed instrument will enhance our facilities toward this end, complementing existing instrumentation in the department and on campus, and delivering a local and user-friendly instrument for X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments. The proposed instrument is capable of measurements on both single crystal and polycrystalline samples within a temperature range of 80-400 K. The combination of advanced software, a microfocus X-ray beam and a sensitive area detector will provide for rapid automated data collection and analysis for research problems, while maintaining an ability to dig deeper into the theoretical and practical aspects of XRD in an instructional setting. Furthermore, the instrument can be upgraded to accommodate future research problems and technologies, ensuring a lasting impact on campus. The instrument will be used in an instructional capacity in at least three upper level undergraduate classes: advanced organic lab, physical chemistry lab, and inorganic-physical chemistry lab. Students will gain hands-on experience at various levels from largely automated to in-depth study of diffraction, depending upon the course objectives. In addition, a graduate level laboratory class and a workshop for students from under-represented minorities sponsored by the NIH-RISE program will both be devoted entirely to the study of XRD using the instrument as a critical tool. In its research capacity, the instrument will be used significantly by at least five research groups in the Department of Chemistry and one in the Department of Physics, though the instrument will be made available to any interested parties on campus. Projects include the synthesis and study of new paramagnetic molecules, organic conductors and spintronic materials; synthesis and characterization of new catalytic materials; study of the phase characteristics of precision polymers; study of nanodiamond sensor materials; identification of enzymatic reaction products, and study of structural phase transitions in perovskites. While these research projects are guided by faculty, much of the research will be done by undergraduate and graduate students; many of whom are under-represented minorities, supported through various programs such as the NIH- supported MARC and RISE programs, the NSF-supported LSAMP, and others. Also participating in research will be students from Gavilan Community College, through a DOE-sponsored internship program for minority students. These students will gain invaluable experience in XRD techniques, which are becoming far more accessible with advances in modern instrumentation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1910520
Entities
People
- David Brook
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- San José State University