New Optical and Molecular Imaging System for Interdisciplinary Student Research

Department of Chemical Engineering

Requested:

$45,269

Status:

Denied

Awarded:

Abstract

We request funds to purchase a Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) microscope, to be located in the Shared Instrument Facility in the Department of Chemical Engineering. FTIR spectroscopy is an essential tool for identifying molecules in the physical and biological sciences. The major advantage of an FTIR microscope is the ability to identify the spatial location and composition of an analyte in a particular molecule, with a resolution up to a couple of micrometers. Molecular placement is important in solar cells, biological systems, water treatment, quantum materials, label-free detection of cancer, and other technologies where the precise location of the molecule is important for correct functionality. In contrast, the FTIR spectrometers or spectrophotometers available on campus can only be used to identify if molecules are generally present within a large area or volume. This means that students must rely on a combination of more expensive and difficult techniques to obtain the same information. The acquisition of an FTIR microscope system would strengthen undergraduate and graduate training in materials characterization and enable new student-led research in these fields.

Automated Sanitization Stations for Reducing Waste of Common Single-Use Laboratory Plastics

Department of Chemical Engineering

Requested:

$132,300

Status:

Denied

Awarded:

Abstract

This proposal is a request to obtain a mobile pipette tip washing and drying station and a stationary 96-well plate washing and drying station for use by the chemical engineering department and associated laboratories. The chemical engineering department is committed to sustainability and recognizes that pipette tips and 96 well plates are common single-use waste products of research and educational laboratories. The chemical engineering department wastes tens of thousands of pipette tips and hundreds of 96-well plates every month due to research and educational laboratories. The Grenova Solutions automated, high-throughput mobile washing station with tip washer and tip dryer would enable laboratories to turn single-use waste products into sustainable laboratory materials while also saving the department money spent on expensive plastic consumables and time spent waiting for shipments to arrive that are regularly delayed many months due to COVD-19 shortages.

JESS, a next generation Western blot system, for the South Lake Union Research Campus

School of Medicine

Requested:

$99,225

Status:

Denied

Awarded:

Abstract

We are requesting funds to purchase and run JESS, an automated, high-throughput, quantitative, capillary-based Western blot system that would be available to over 600 undergraduate and graduate students studying at the University of Washington (UW) South Lake Union (SLU) Research Campus. The main goal of the project is to enhance the academic and research experience of these students by allowing them to be trained on and use this next generation Western blot system. Although Western blotting is one of the most common molecular biology and biochemistry procedures used to detect and analyze a protein of interest in biological samples, it also is an archaic technology that was invented 40+ years ago, and it has persisted in its original form with many but minor refinements over the years. Despite its extensive use in biomedical sciences, it is also plagued by low sensitivity, high inter-experimental variation, inability to quantify, and low throughput. Although JESS solves all of the issues inherent to the traditional system and is being adopted by many leading institutions in the country, the UW has only one JESS, and it is located on the main campus. Therefore, the 600+ UW SLU students are not able to use this game-changing equipment to advance their research. Upon approval of this proposal, we would purchase JESS from ProteinSimple (San Jose, CA) and house it in D354 of the SLU Brotman Research Building. JESS would be accessible to all UW students who have been properly trained on its use. Dr. Ken Fujise, Professor and Principal Investigator within the Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine at UW SLU would train students and manage the equipment. Dr. Fujise has extensive knowledge and experience with the system and has published papers using data generated by the system. He would also be available to help students plan and design experiments and optimize use of the equipment. JESS will allow undergraduate and graduate students who study at one of the most innovative universities in the world to transition from using archaic technology to using cutting-edge technology.

XYZ Positioner for Cryostat system for Quantum Technologies Teaching and Testbed Lab

Department of Physics

Requested:

$45,502

Status:

Denied

Awarded:

Abstract

We are seeking funding on the order of $41,500 to purchase an XYZ positioner system to enable a general-purpose low-temperature scanning probe microscope in a new user space called the Quantum Technologies Teaching and Testbed Lab (QT3). The QT3 is meant to be a combined teaching and research facility that provides characterization tools for quantum technologies. The main objective of QT3 is to make unique tools broadly available to students for training and research across the University of Washington. Spearheaded by the Barnard Lab and Fu Lab, we are presently building a mostly funded low temperature (4 K) scanning confocal microscope to be installed in the QT3 space, with the gap in funding existing in the form of this piezo stepper system. We have the cryostat existing, on campus, and have the funding to purchase a cryogenic objective, measurement computer, and for machining costs, so the piezo stepper is the last element we need to make a permanent training/user system. This funding will enable this system to be fully operational and accessible to a broad class of students and will be a one-of-a-kind capability on the UW Seattle campus. We are custom designing numerous features of the confocal microscope with specific care to minimize vibrational noise and to provide quick sample turn-around. With the funding for this positioner, we would be able complete this cryostat system in full, and it would be assembled and ready to use within the next year. QT3 will be open to beta users within the next year, and in the follow year (2023) it will be open to all as a testbed and teaching space; Making this cryostat usable for classes, research groups, and others involved in the University of Washington network pursuing relevant projects.

Funding Status: Denied