Chemical Measurement and Imaging (CMI)

The Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program supports research focusing on chemically-relevant measurement science and imaging, targeting both improved understanding of new and existing methods and development of innovative approaches and instruments.  Research areas include, but are not limited to sampling and separation science; electroanalytical chemistry; spectrometry; and frequency- and time-domain spectroscopy.  Development of new chemical imaging and measurement tools probing chemical properties and processes is supported.  Innovations enabling the monitoring and imaging of chemical and electronic processes across a wide range of time and length scales are also relevant.  New approaches to data analysis and interpretation (including chemometrics) are encouraged.  Proposals addressing established techniques must seek improved understanding and/or innovative approaches to substantially broaden applicability.  Sensor-related proposals should address new approaches to chemical sensing, with prospects for broad utility and significant enhancement of current capabilities.

Submissions that address national needs are encouraged.  Such proposals may include, but are not limited to new measurement and imaging approaches that improve on current separation science by requiring less energy or generating less waste, on understanding the brain and its functions, and on harnessing the power of chemical data.

Topics also considered by CMI include the development of new instrumentation enabling chemical measurements likely to be of wide interest and utility to the chemistry research community.  These proposals should include the words "Instrument Development:" at the beginning of the title, and include, in the Project Description, consideration of a development timeline, potential utility, and prospects for the extension of the technique to other uses or fields, should it prove viable.

Industrial partnerships are encouraged through the Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI) mechanism (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappg17_1/pappg_2.jsp#IIE4) as means enhancing use by the greater community, but concepts nearing commercialization are better fits to Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs.

Proposals integrating innovative computational approaches with CMI-relevant research, such as those enabling efficient and effective data acquisition and analysis, are encouraged and should be submitted to the CMI Program through the Computational and Data Science and Engineering (CDS&E) funding opportunity (https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504813). 

The CMI Program does not encourage proposals addressing: the development of techniques for topological/morphological imaging; research based on known sensing mechanisms, such as probe synthesis or assembly of array-type devices; or engineering aspects of membrane separations, microfluidics, and/or "lab-on-a-chip" device design, technology, and application.  Proposals on the design and synthesis of novel molecular probes for sensing or contrast agents may be more suitable for the CSDM-B Program.  Proposals for optimizing and/or utilizing established methods for specific applications should be directed to programs focused on the application.  Proposals addressing innovations with anticipated utility primarily in other communities (e.g., biology or materials) are also not encouraged. Proposals with large equipment requests (over $150,000) may be better suited to the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program.