CAREER: Interface Science of Functional Perovskites

这个CAREER项目的目标是一个综合的教育和研究计划，旨在通过提供与实际应用相关的界面性质的原子水平的理解，开发使用功能钙钛矿的下一代设备。材料科学研究将继续研究：(a)用于电化学器件的混合离子-电子导电（MIEC）钙钛矿氧化物，以及(b)用于电容器和微机电系统（MEMS）的铁电薄膜。在这些器件中，界面结构和性能在决定材料和器件性能方面起着关键作用。提供跨界面传输机制的基本理解将使更节能，更具成本效益的器件成为可能，并有助于薄膜电化学器件的设计。铁电钙钛矿具有许多特性，可以进一步发展微机电系统（MEMS）等技术。铁电钙钛矿薄膜的物理性质与块状材料的物理性质截然不同，原因目前尚不清楚。建立界面在观察行为中的作用，有望为MEMS和电子器件的应用开发优化的微结构。本项目开发的方法将集中于具有已知原子排列和缺陷化学的界面。这些将通过控制薄膜生长实验和利用高分辨率透射电子显微镜与电子能量损失光谱相结合的独特能力来获得。氧化界面输运性质的宏观测量和铁电薄膜的物理行为正在研究中，以建立与功能钙钛矿的所有应用相关的界面性质的基本限制。此外，这项研究旨在为需要真实原子结构作为输入的原子水平计算奠定基础。薄膜电化学器件的部分研究将涉及与工业界的既定合作，以及与国内和国际大学研究人员在电化学传输和电气表征领域的跨学科研究。该项目的一个重要特点是在技术重要研究领域对学生进行跨学科、工业和国际合作活动的培训。该项目的一个主要目标是将研究彻底融入教育活动。重点将放在(a)本科生在学习初期参与研究(b)跨学科和国际培训，以及(c)指导代表性不足群体的学生，目的是鼓励他们攻读材料科学和工程的研究生课程。课程发展计划包括加强核心课程，以强调广泛的跨学科听众对课程材料的概念理解，并纳入新技术。还将发展概念测试作为评价教育活动成功与否的方法。该项目涉及具有高技术相关性的材料科学主题领域的基础研究问题。该项目的范围将使学生接触到材料合成、加工和表征方面的挑战。该项目的一个重要特点是非常重视教育，并将研究与教育相结合。＊＊＊

The objective of this CAREER project is a comprehensive education and research program aimed at the development of next-generation devices using functional perovskites by providing atomic-level understanding of interface properties relevant for practical applications. Materials science research will be pursued research toward: (a) mixed ionic-electronic conducting (MIEC) perovskite oxides for electrochemical devices, and (b) ferroelectric thin films for capacitors and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). In these devices, interface structure and properties play a key role in determining materials and device properties. Providing a fundamental understanding of transport mechanisms across interfaces will enable more energy-efficient, cost-effective devices, and aid the design of thin film electrochemical devices. Ferroelectric perovskites have a host of properties that enable further development of technologies such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). The physical properties of ferroelectric perovskite thin films are drastically different from those of bulk materials, for reasons that are currently poorly understood. Establishing the role of interfaces in observed behavior is expected to allow development of optimized microstructures for applications in MEMS and electronic devices. The method developed in this project will concentrate on interfaces with known atomic arrangements and defect chemistry. These will be obtained by controlled thin film growth experiments and by utilizing unique capabilities of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy in combination with electron energy-loss spectroscopy. Macroscopic measurements of transport properties of oxide interfaces and of the physical behavior of ferroelectric thin films is being studied to establish fundamental limits of interfacial properties, relevant for all applications of functional perovskites. In addition, this research is intended to set the stage for atomic level calculations that will need the true atomic structure as input. Part of the research on thin film electrochemical devices will involve an established collaboration with industry, as well as interdisciplinary research with national and international university researchers in the areas of electrochemical transport and electrical characterization. An important feature of the project is the training of students in interdisciplinary, industrial and international collaborative activities, in technologically important research areas. A main goal of the project is to thoroughly integrate research into educational activities. Emphasis will be placed on (a) participation of undergraduate students in research early in their studies (b) interdisciplinary and international training, and (c) mentoring of students of underrepresented groups with the goal to encourage them to pursue graduate studies in materials science and engineering. Course development plans include strengthening the core curriculum to emphasize conceptual understanding of the course material for a broad interdisciplinary audience, and to incorporate new technologies. Conceptual testing as a method to evaluate the success of the educational activities will also be developed.%%% The project addresses fundamental research issues in a topical area of materials science having high technological relevance. The scope of the project will expose students to challenges in materials synthesis, processing, and characterization. An important feature of the project is the strong emphasis on education, and the integration of research and education. ***