Performing Department
Nanoscience
Non Technical Summary
This NIFA-EGP project will acquire an Analytical Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) to conduct a broad range of cutting-edge and innovative research projects in agriculture, biology, chemistry, materials science, and engineering at the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG). The microscope features an in-lens Schottky plus field emission electron gun, a next-generation electron optical control system, "Neo Engine", and a fully embedded energy-disperive x-ray spectroscopy analyzer, allowing users to perform high resolution imaging and high speed elemental mapping, even at low accelerating voltage of 1 kV. This new microscope will replace our current heavily used but aging FE-SEM, which is becoming increasingly difficult to repair. Thus, we are seeking funds to not only replace, but also expand on our SEM capabilities to better serve our students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty. The new FE-SEM provides the ability to image materials with resolution down to 0.7 nm at high accelerating voltage (20 kV) and 1.3 nm at low accelerating voltage (1 kV), makes it possible to engineer soft and hard materials at the nanoscale, allowing for the development of emerging materials with superior catalytic and redox properties, high interfacial interactions and binding affinities, and better adsorptivity and selectivity. Therefore, the new microscope will serve all researchers to propel research innovations through access to the necessary infrastructure that will lead to discovery and creation of new materials for water remediation, biomass conversion, processing, and engineering, and nanotechnology-enabled point-of-use devices, directly aligning with USDA-NIFA prority programs.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
30%
Applied
30%
Developmental
40%
Goals / Objectives
The goal of this project isto acquire a JEOL JSM-IT800(HT) Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) to support a broad spectrum of research and training in the Piedmont Triad region. The acquisition of this microscope will provide a core experimental tool for academic and industry to conduct research at the Food, Energy and Water Nexus, leading to innovative value-added technologies. Research projects supported by this newFE-SEM align with the USDA Science Blueprint themes of "Food and Nutrition Translation", and "Value Added Innovations" and further supports the USDA strategic goal: "Strengthen the Stewardship of Private Lands Through Technology and Research". This instrument will have substantial impact on research and training in the North Carolina Piedmont Triad region; UNCG serves as a nexus for several institutions, including NC A&T, Bennett College (BC), University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), Forsyth Technical Community College (FTCC), and Winston Salem State University (WSSU). Acquisition of this microscope aligns with the institution's commitment to train the next generation of under-represented minority (URM) scientists.Objectives of the project:1. Toperform a wide range of research projects of interest to four NIFA priority areas, which include: (1) Plant Health and Production and Plant Products, (2) Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health, (3) Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment, and (4) Agriculture systems and technology.2. To provide research, teaching, and training to gradaute students throughAdvanced elective courses, Lab rotations, and for undergraduate and graduate research projects. The new microscope will complement its utility for these graduate courses and hands-n-research training.3. To integrate into the12-credit Nanoscience Certificate Program, to start in Fall 2021, which includes hands-on training in "Nanotechnology Tools". Collectively, this will impact grow the nanotechnology workforce, which is regionally critical, as our current high-tech workforce (4.5%), remains below the national average. The Certificate program will: (a) provide microscopy imaging training for workforce development, especially for under-represented minority students, and (b) provide a mechanism for capturing the interest of talented and non-traditional students to steer them toward nanoscience and nanoengineering careers.
Project Methods
The project will train110 graduate students annually, who use the instrument routinely toward their MS and PhD degrees. In addition, at least 15 faculty from the main campuses, along with over 40 postdocs, graduate or undergraduate students, annually use the instrument to conduct variety of research projects in the fields ofagriculture, biology, chemistry, materials science, and engineering at the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG). Also, the project will provide service toover 30 users from companies, impacting overall at least 200 users annually.The major research projects conducted are:1.Natural polyphenols derived porous adsorbents for wastewater treatment and up-cycling contaminants to reusable products.2.Organometallic Complexes as Precursors for Nanostructured Multi-Metallic/Metal Oxide Electrocatalysts.3.Enhancing crop resilience to climate change through transgenic technology.4.Synthesis of Porous Platinum-Palladium (Pt-Pd) Nanoparticles for Oxygen Reduction Reactions for Biomass Conversion.5.Nanoscale catalysts for conversion of biomass to commodity chemicals.6.Programming immune response of golden flax against cucumber mosaic virus.7.Sustainable Carbon Nanofibrous Electrode Material from Microalgae for Energy Storage Applications.The Nanotechnology and Biotechnology programs at FTCC will integrate the proposed FE-SEM into research projects and the Work-Based Learning for Students" program, and summer internships. The new microscope will also use by our local industry partners, including BNNano, Core Technologies, Syngenta, Luna, and Kepley Biosystems who are regular users of the current SEM. These industry partners work closely with JSNN graduate students on research projects.