Professor Matthew Libera, of the Chemical Engineering & Materials Science department, and his team at Stevens have received significant NSF funding for the application of a cryo-scanning electron microscope (SEM) to measure soft-materials morphology at high spatial resolution.

SEMs enable the study of material surfaces between 20 to 500,000 times magnifications, and provide innovative features to overcome the problems of specimen charging and chemical damage.

State-of-the-art SEMs at Stevens will enable researchers to measure soft-materials morphology and make important new discoveries ranging from new ways to deliver drugs, make hip and knee implants more infection resistant, to helping heal major bone fractures. There are already over ten projects at Stevens which will benefit from the acquisition of this new technology.

“This new MRI grant affirms the continuing support of the NSF for the excellent work of Prof. Libera and his colleagues. The state-of-the-art scanning electron microscope to be purchased with the support will greatly enhance our research capabilities cutting cross many disciplines on campus.” Professor Henry Du, Director Chemical Engineering & Materials Science.

In addition to serving the Stevens research community, the new SEM will provide opportunities for outreach and education through the collaborative activities with the Stevens Center for Innovative Engineering and Science Education and the Project SEED program of the American Chemical Society. Housed in a central user facility with a history of successful multidisciplinary training, this is assured to be an excellent way to educate the community and create interest in Science and Engineering disciplines.