Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

We are requesting funding to purchase an advanced photoluminescence (PL) spectrometer with time-resolved and near-infrared (NIR) capabilities to support research across the Department of Chemistry at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus (UBCO). This system will accelerate the applicants' research programs in the fields of biophysics, chemical biology, and clean technologies. The PL spectrometer will be an integral part of the core facilities in the new Interdisciplinary Collaboration Innovation (ICI) building under construction at UBCO for its wider research community. The applicants' research programs require the advanced PL spectrometer to maximize their impact, increase the reach of publications, and gain value of downstream intellectual property (IP). The advanced PL spectrometer will enable us to: (1) design new biosensing capabilities to elucidate molecular mechanisms in tissue mechanosensitivity, (2) investigate how small molecules affect protein interactions to identify mechanisms of action, and (3) develop accurate photophysical models to guide the engineering of improved materials for solar energy conversion. The equipment urgently needed to attain these research goals is not available to the applicants and can only be obtained with the funding requested. As part of the Core Facilities of UBCO's new ICI building, the spectrometer will bring together clusters of interdisciplinary HQP, fostering cross-discipline collaboration. In departmental strategy discussions, all experimental research-active faculty members indicated that access to a PL spectrometer will benefit their research program and trainees. The Department currently counts 5 postdocs, 14 PhD, 19 MSc, and 30 research undergraduate (UG) trainees, with over half expected to become routine users of the spectrometer. Thus, the PL spectrometer will fill an important HQP training gap in biophysics, biochemistry, chemical biology, inorganic chemistry, and materials chemistry. The availability of the equipment will open new opportunities for HQPs to expand their research methods, gain deeper insight into their molecular and material systems, build better electronic structure models, and explore new research areas. Since it is one of few in Canada, UBCO's PL spectrometer will give HQP a competitive advantage in their future employment. For example, the semiconductor industry uses PL characterization to evaluate the purity and value of their materials, and has a need for HQP versed in advanced PL methods. The requested equipment will build research expertise and capacity at UBC and will also potentiate long-term benefits to Canada.