2008-2009 Bulletin – PDF - SEAS Bulletin - Columbia University

The most extensive collection of
instrumentation in the department is
associated with the polymer and soft
matter research faculty. Faculty banded
together to create a unique shared-facilities
laboratory, completed at the end of
2001. The shared facilities include a fully
equipped polymer synthesis lab with
four fumes hoods, a 10’x16’ soft wall
clean room, metal evaporator system,
a Milligen 9050 peptide synthesizer, and
polymer thin film preparation and substrate
cleaning stations. Also installed
are new, computer-controlled thermal
analysis, rheometric, and light-scattering
setups. Specialized instrumentation for
surface analysis includes an optical/laser
system dedicated to characterization of
polymer surface dynamics by Fluorescence
Recovery after Photobleaching
and a PHI 5500 X-ray photoelectron
spectrophotometer with monochromator
that is capable of angle-dependent
depth profiling and XPS imaging. The
system can also perform SIMS and ion
scattering experiments. A digital image
analysis system for the characterization
of sessile and pendant drop shapes is
also available for the purpose of polymer
surface and interfacial tension measurements
as well as contact angle analysis.
An X-ray reflectometer that can perform
X-ray standing wave–induced fluorescence
measurements is also housed in
the new shared equipment laboratory,
along with instrumentation for characterizing
the friction and wear properties of
polymeric surfaces. The laboratory also
houses an infrared spectrometer (Nicolet
Magna 560, MCT detector) with a variable
angle grazing incidence, temperaturecontrolled
attenuated-total-reflectance,
transmission, and liquid cell accessories.
These facilities are suitable for mid-IR,
spectroscopic investigations of bulk
materials as well as thin films. The laboratory
also has a UV-Vis spectrometer
(a Cary 50), an SLM Aminco 8000 spectrofluorimeter,
and a high-purity water
system (Millipore Biocel) used for preparation
of biological buffers and solutions.
Facilities are available for cell tissue culture
and for experiments involving biocompatibilization
of materials or cellular
engineering. In addition, gel electrophoresis
apparatus is available for the
molecular weight characterization of
nucleic acids. A total-internal-reflectionfluorescence
(TIRF) instrument with an
automated, temperature-controlled flow
cell has been built for dedicated investigations
of surface processes involving
fluorescently tagged biological and
synthetic molecules. The instrument
can operate at different excitation wavelengths
(typically HeNe laser, 633 nm,
using Cy5 labeled nucleic acids).
Fluorescence is collected by a highly
sensitive photomultiplier tube and
logged to a personal computer. Because
fluorescence is only excited in the
evanescent wave region near an interface,
signals from surface-bound fluorescent
species can be determined with
minimal background interference from
fluorophores in bulk solution.
Chemistry Department. Access to
NMR and mass spectrometry facilities is
possible through interactions with faculty
members who also hold appointments
in the Chemistry Department. The NMR
facility consists of a 500 MHz, a 400
MHz, and two 300 MHz instruments that
are operated by students and postdocs
after training. The mass spectrometry
facility is run by students for routine
samples and by a professional mass
spectrometrist for more difficult samples.
The Chemistry Department also provides
access to the services of a glass blower
and machine shop and to photochemical
and spectroscopic facilities. These facilities
consist of (1) two nanosecond laser
flash photolysis instruments equipped
with UV-VIS, infrared, EPR, and NMR
detection; (2) three EPR spectrometers;
(3) two fluorescence spectrometers; (4) a
single photon counter for analysis of the
lifetimes and polarization of fluorescence
and phosphorescence; and (5) a highperformance
liquid chromatographic
instrument for analysis of polymer molecular
weight and dispersity.
Columbia Genome Center. Because of
its affiliation with the Columbia Genome
Center (CGC), the Department of
Chemical Engineering also has access
to over 3,000 sq. ft. of space equipped
with a high-throughput DNA sequencer
(Amersham Pharmacia Biotech Mega-
Bace1000), a nucleic acid synthesizer
(PE Biosystems 8909 Expedite Nucleic
Acid/Peptide Synthesis System), an UV/
VIS spectrophotometer (Perkin-Elmer
Lambda 40), a fluorescence spectrophotometer
(Jobin Yvon, Inc. Fluorolog-3),
Waters HPLC, and a sequencing gel
electrophoresis apparatus (Life Technologies
Model S2), as well as the facilities
required for state-of-the-art synthetic
chemistry. The division of DNA sequencing
and chemical biology at the Columbia
Genome Center consists of 6,000 sq. ft.
of laboratory space and equipment necessary
for carrying out the state-of-theart
DNA analysis. The laboratory has
one Amersham Pharmacia Biotech
MegaBace1000 sequencer, three ABI
377 sequencers with complete 96 land
upgrades, a Qiagen 9600 Biorobot, a
Hydra 96 microdispenser robot, and
standard molecular biology equipment.
NSF-Columbia MRSEC Shared
Facilities. Through their participation in
an NSF-MRSEC grant, faculty also have
access to shared facilities located in the
Schapiro Center for Engineer-ing and
Physical Science Research at Columbia
University. The shared facilities include a
Scintag X2 X-ray diffractometer aligned
for low-angle reflectivity work, and a
Beaglehole Instruments Picometer modulated
ellipsometer. As needed, these
capabilities are available for characterization
of the surface coverage and composition
of modified surfaces and thin
organic films. Access to atomic force
microscopy, scanning and transmission
electron microscopy, and scanning tunneling
microscopy is possible through
collaborations within the NSF-MRSEC
program and with colleagues in the
Chemistry and Materials Science
Departments. The NSF-Columbia
MRSEC facility is located within five
minutes’ walking distance from the
Chemical Engineering Department.
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
Chemical Engineering
The undergraduate program in chemical
engineering at Columbia, recently revised,
has five formal educational objectives:
A. Prepare students for careers in industries
that require technical expertise in
chemical engineering.
B. Prepare students to assume leadership
positions in industries that
require technical expertise in chemical
engineering.
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SEAS 2008–2009