9724254 Safinya Optical imaging instrumentation consisting of a laser scanning confocal microscope with real-time video-rate capability and a micromanipulation system will be acquired by the University of California at Santa Barbara. The instrument will support real- time studies of novel biomolecular materials, confined complex fluids, ceramics, alloys and composites. It will be housed within the Materials Research Laboratory at UCSB, where it will be accessible to all campus researchers. %%% Acquisition of this instrumentation will impact research and research training in an interdisciplinary program at UCSB in the general area of complex materials that involves about 30 graduate students, 15 post doctoral associates and 11 faculty. ***