2009-2010 Bulletin â PDF - SEAS Bulletin - Columbia University
2009-2010 Bulletin â PDF - SEAS Bulletin - Columbia University
2009-2010 Bulletin â PDF - SEAS Bulletin - Columbia University
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The most extensive collection of<br />
instrumentation in the department is<br />
associated with the polymer and soft<br />
matter research faculty. Faculty banded<br />
together to create a unique shared-facilities<br />
laboratory, completed at the end of<br />
2001. The shared facilities include a fully<br />
equipped polymer synthesis lab with<br />
four fumes hoods, a 10’x16’ soft wall<br />
clean room, metal evaporator system,<br />
a Milligen 9050 peptide synthesizer, and<br />
polymer thin film preparation and substrate<br />
cleaning stations. Also installed<br />
are new, computer-controlled thermal<br />
analysis, rheometric, and light-scattering<br />
setups. Specialized instrumentation for<br />
surface analysis includes an optical/laser<br />
system dedicated to characterization of<br />
polymer surface dynamics by Fluorescence<br />
Recovery after Photobleaching<br />
and a PHI 5500 X-ray photoelectron<br />
spectrophotometer with monochromator<br />
that is capable of angle-dependent<br />
depth profiling and XPS imaging. The<br />
system can also perform SIMS and ion<br />
scattering experiments. A digital image<br />
analysis system for the characterization<br />
of sessile and pendant drop shapes is<br />
also available for the purpose of polymer<br />
surface and interfacial tension measurements<br />
as well as contact angle analysis.<br />
An X-ray reflectometer that can perform<br />
X-ray standing wave–induced fluorescence<br />
measurements is also housed in<br />
the new shared equipment laboratory,<br />
along with instrumentation for characterizing<br />
the friction and wear properties of<br />
polymeric surfaces. The laboratory also<br />
houses an infrared spectrometer (Nicolet<br />
Magna 560, MCT detector) with a variable<br />
angle grazing incidence, temperaturecontrolled<br />
attenuated-total-reflectance,<br />
transmission, and liquid cell accessories.<br />
These facilities are suitable for mid-IR,<br />
spectroscopic investigations of bulk<br />
materials as well as thin films. The laboratory<br />
also has a UV-Vis spectrometer<br />
(a Cary 50), an SLM Aminco 8000 spectrofluorimeter,<br />
and a high-purity water<br />
system (Millipore Biocel) used for preparation<br />
of biological buffers and solutions.<br />
Facilities are available for cell tissue culture<br />
and for experiments involving biocompatibilization<br />
of materials or cellular<br />
engineering. In addition, gel electrophoresis<br />
apparatus is available for the<br />
molecular weight characterization of<br />
nucleic acids. A total-internal-reflectionfluorescence<br />
(TIRF) instrument with an<br />
automated, temperature-controlled flow<br />
cell has been built for dedicated investigations<br />
of surface processes involving<br />
fluorescently tagged biological and<br />
synthetic molecules. The instrument<br />
can operate at different excitation wavelengths<br />
(typically HeNe laser, 633 nm,<br />
using Cy5 labeled nucleic acids).<br />
Fluorescence is collected by a highly<br />
sensitive photomultiplier tube and<br />
logged to a personal computer. Because<br />
fluorescence is only excited in the<br />
evanescent wave region near an interface,<br />
signals from surface-bound fluorescent<br />
species can be determined with<br />
minimal background interference from<br />
fluorophores in bulk solution.<br />
Chemistry Department. Access to<br />
NMR and mass spectrometry facilities is<br />
possible through interactions with faculty<br />
members who also hold appointments<br />
in the Chemistry Department. The NMR<br />
facility consists of a 500 MHz, a 400<br />
MHz, and two 300 MHz instruments that<br />
are operated by students and postdocs<br />
after training. The mass spectrometry<br />
facility is run by students for routine<br />
samples and by a professional mass<br />
spectrometrist for more difficult samples.<br />
The Chemistry Department also provides<br />
access to the services of a glass blower<br />
and machine shop and to photochemical<br />
and spectroscopic facilities. These facilities<br />
consist of (1) two nanosecond laser<br />
flash photolysis instruments equipped<br />
with UV-VIS, infrared, EPR, and NMR<br />
detection; (2) three EPR spectrometers;<br />
(3) two fluorescence spectrometers; (4) a<br />
single photon counter for analysis of the<br />
lifetimes and polarization of fluorescence<br />
and phosphorescence; and (5) a highperformance<br />
liquid chromatographic<br />
instrument for analysis of polymer molecular<br />
weight and dispersity.<br />
<strong>Columbia</strong> Genome Center. Because of<br />
its affiliation with the <strong>Columbia</strong> Genome<br />
Center (CGC), the Department of<br />
Chemical Engineering also has access<br />
to over 3,000 sq. ft. of space equipped<br />
with a high-throughput DNA sequencer<br />
(Amersham Pharmacia Biotech Mega-<br />
Bace1000), a nucleic acid synthesizer<br />
(PE Biosystems 8909 Expedite Nucleic<br />
Acid/Peptide Synthesis System), an UV/<br />
VIS spectrophotometer (Perkin-Elmer<br />
Lambda 40), a fluorescence spectrophotometer<br />
(Jobin Yvon, Inc. Fluorolog-3),<br />
Waters HPLC, and a sequencing gel<br />
electrophoresis apparatus (Life Technologies<br />
Model S2), as well as the facilities<br />
required for state-of-the-art synthetic<br />
chemistry. The division of DNA sequencing<br />
and chemical biology at the <strong>Columbia</strong><br />
Genome Center consists of 6,000 sq. ft.<br />
of laboratory space and equipment necessary<br />
for carrying out the state-of-theart<br />
DNA analysis. The laboratory has<br />
one Amersham Pharmacia Biotech<br />
MegaBace1000 sequencer, three ABI<br />
377 sequencers with complete 96 land<br />
upgrades, a Qiagen 9600 Biorobot, a<br />
Hydra 96 microdispenser robot, and<br />
standard molecular biology equipment.<br />
NSF-<strong>Columbia</strong> MRSEC Shared<br />
Facilities. Through their participation in<br />
an NSF-MRSEC grant, faculty also have<br />
access to shared facilities located in the<br />
Schapiro Center for Engineer-ing and<br />
Physical Science Research at <strong>Columbia</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong>. The shared facilities include a<br />
Scintag X2 X-ray diffractometer aligned<br />
for low-angle reflectivity work, and a<br />
Beaglehole Instruments Picometer modulated<br />
ellipsometer. As needed, these<br />
capabilities are available for characterization<br />
of the surface coverage and composition<br />
of modified surfaces and thin<br />
organic films. Access to atomic force<br />
microscopy, scanning and transmission<br />
electron microscopy, and scanning tunneling<br />
microscopy is possible through<br />
collaborations within the NSF-MRSEC<br />
program and with colleagues in the<br />
Chemistry and Materials Science<br />
Departments. The NSF-<strong>Columbia</strong><br />
MRSEC facility is located within five<br />
minutes’ walking distance from the<br />
Chemical Engineering Department.<br />
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM<br />
Chemical Engineering<br />
The undergraduate program in chemical<br />
engineering at <strong>Columbia</strong>, recently revised,<br />
has five formal educational objectives:<br />
A. Prepare students for careers in industries<br />
that require technical expertise in<br />
chemical engineering.<br />
B. Prepare students to assume leadership<br />
positions in industries that<br />
require technical expertise in chemical<br />
engineering.<br />
83<br />
<strong>SEAS</strong> <strong>2009</strong>–<strong>2010</strong>