The chemistry and physics departments are the proud owners of some new, state-of-the-art equipment that may one day change the way we watch TV or use a computer.
The new mass spectrometer and atomic force microscope — funded by the National Science Foundation and the George I. Alden Trust, respectively — will allow students and faculty to study molecules in close detail.
Professors Velda Goldberg, Michael Kaplan, Len Soltzberg, Bruce Gray, and Jenna Canfield are introducing these instruments to their students as part of the Women in Materials science program. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the program is based upon collaboration between Simmons students and faculty, and researchers at Cornell University. The team of scientists and students will analyze polymers (large molecules) in the hopes of improving electronic displays, such as those used on TV and computer screens. Just imagine a TV screen that rolls down like a window shade whenever you want to watch a pro-gram, or a laptop computer that provides clarity, sharpness, and true color from all angles.
Most undergraduates do not have the opportunity to work with such sophisticated equipment, but the professors say it is wonderful experience. “This is usually the domain of grad students, but we want to introduce the students to the instruments as soon as possible,” said Soltzberg.