蜜桃TV

Dr. Amy Fleischer

A team of 蜜桃TV Mechanical Engineering faculty has been awarded a $412,106 Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant from the National Science Foundation. The project, titled 鈥淎cquisition of Atomic Layer Deposition Device for Nanoscale Materials Development Research,鈥� is under the direction of Professor Amy Fleischer, PhD; Assistant Professor Calvin Li, PhD; and Associate Professor Gang Feng; along with Daeyeon Lee, PhD, a Chemical Engineering professor from the University of Pennsylvania; and Xuemei Cheng, PhD, a Bryn Mawr College Physics professor.

Dr. Fleischer, who serves as the project鈥檚 primary investigator, explains the need for this high level infrastructure: 鈥淓ngineering faculty are placing increased emphasis on nanomaterials fabrication and development, which necessitates the upgrading of experimental facilities. This atomic layer deposition device anchors nanoparticles with a thermal or plasma thin film material that enables critical new research areas.鈥� Examples of research being conducted include Drs. Feng鈥檚 and Daeyeon鈥檚 layer-by-layer assembly process to fabricate multifunctional nanostructured thin films for optical use, including the anti-fogging and anti-reflection coatings commonly applied to eyeglasses. Drs. Fleischer and Li are working on new materials for advanced energy systems. Other uses include high-performance catalysis, photovoltaics and biomedical devices and implants.

The Villanova Atomic Layer Deposition facility, housed in the Advanced Microscopy Laboratory in the Center for Engineering Education and Research, will bring together faculty from three Philadelphia-area colleges and universities for collaborative nanomaterials research and development. 鈥淚t is significant that this grant links faculty and student researchers at three distinct types of institutions,鈥� notes Dr. Fleischer. 鈥淵ou have Penn, classified as a 鈥榲ery high research activity鈥� university; Bryn Mawr College, which has an all-female undergraduate program and was the first institution in the country to offer doctoral degrees to women; and Villanova, an up-and-coming doctoral/research university.鈥�

The grant also is noteworthy in its support of women in STEM. Two of the principals are female STEM faculty members, and 12 of the 35 students being advised by the grant鈥檚 PIs also are women. Given Villanova鈥檚 focus on undergraduate education, Dr. Fleischer also was happy to point out that the five PIs combined are advising 19 undergraduate students.

Thanks to the MRI grant, this new instrument will create an immediate and lasting impact on Villanova鈥檚 ability to recruit high-quality faculty members. Dr. Fleischer says, 鈥淏eing able to offer access to leading-edge equipment will help attract leading researchers and educators who can make an immediate impact as they join this dynamic group.鈥�