Award Abstract #0722532
MRI: High-Speed imaging facility to assess ultra-rapid biological movements

NSF Org:	DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure
Initial Amendment Date:	July 11, 2007
Latest Amendment Date:	July 11, 2007
Award Number:	0722532
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Steven E. Ellis DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences
Start Date:	August 1, 2007
Expires:	July 31, 2009 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$105110
Investigator(s):	Joan Edwards jedwards@williams.edu (Principal Investigator) Dwight Whitaker (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	Williams College 880 Main St. Williamstown, MA 01267 413/597-3131
NSF Program(s):	MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION
Field Application(s):
Program Reference Code(s):	BIOT, 9229, 9184, 9141, 1189
Program Element Code(s):	1189

ABSTRACT

An award has been made to Williams College under the direction of Dr. Joan Edwards to acquire a high speed imaging system and associated equipment to film ultra-fast biological movements, such as exploding blooming of bunchberry dogwood flowers, rapid propulsion of pollen out of flowers, the explosive bursts of spores from moss capsules, rapid startle responses of goldfish, swimming of fleeing tadpoles, and beak movements in singing zebra finches. The instrumentation will be used by ecologists, neurobiologists, and physicists to integrate classical mechanics and biomechanics, evolution, and the adaptive significance of rapid movements of living things. The instrument system will advance the research of the faculty and provide hands-on research experiences for undergraduates at the college. The imaging system will be used to provide unique teaching materials in physics and biology. Several existing programs for recruiting underrepresented groups into science will be utilized to attract students from these groups to participate in research projects. Outreach efforts to K-12 schools will also make use of the broad appeal of the visual imagery produced by the instrument system.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

Whitaker. "High-speed Imaging: High-speed images capture processes in botanical systems," Laser Focus World, v.44, 2008, p. 77.

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