ABQ Times

The Department of Defense (DOD) has allocated $232,320 in funding to The University of New Mexico’s Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology and Principal Investigator Terefe Habteyes, as part of the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP). This funding will support the purchase of essential equipment to enhance research capabilities at the university.

According to Bindu Nair, director of basic research in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the DURIP awards play a crucial role in advancing research infrastructure, promoting knowledge exploration, and maintaining the cutting-edge capabilities of academic institutions. Nair emphasized that the funding supports scientific excellence in universities, fosters the development of future STEM professionals, and drives scientific innovations that will contribute to military advancements in the coming years.

At UNM, the awarded funds will be used to acquire nano-FTIR spectroscopy equipment, as explained by Principal Investigator Terefe Habteyes. This equipment will enhance the university's near-field microscope, allowing researchers to obtain spectra from the nanoscale regime using a broad-band infrared excitation source. The addition of this capability will enable UNM to delve deeper into the analysis of condensed phenomena in spatial and temporal dimensions.

Habteyes elaborated on the significance of the proposed instrumentation, stating that it will facilitate the development of integrated nanoscale chemical imaging and spectroscopy. The new equipment will provide advanced capabilities for chemical identification and two-dimensional mapping of chemical and optical heterogeneities in solid materials, thereby enhancing ongoing research projects funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

Moreover, the project led by UNM's Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology involves collaboration with several departments and researchers, aiming to advance various scientific investigations. Habteyes highlighted that the new capabilities will not only elevate research quality and productivity but also offer training opportunities for students and researchers while fostering collaborations with scientific institutions like the Air Force Research Lab and Sandia National Labs.

In conclusion, the DOD's investment in UNM's Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology underscores the importance of equipping academic institutions with state-of-the-art research tools to drive innovation and contribute to national defense priorities. The acquisition of nano-FTIR spectroscopy equipment represents a significant advancement in the university's research capabilities, promising groundbreaking discoveries in the field of chemical and biological sciences.