MRI: Acquisition of a Multi-User X-ray Diffraction System for Advanced Materials Analysis

缅因州大学表面科学与技术实验室(LASST)建议购买一套高性能的X射线衍射(XRD)系统，以提供关于原子、分子和纳米尺度材料结构性质的关键信息。该多功能仪器将由X射线发生器、X射线反射镜和透镜、混合单色仪、高分辨率测角仪和样品托架、狭缝和准直器、快速多道探测器和Xe正比计数器以及高温样品台组成。X射线衍射仪系统的具体测量能力将包括物相分析、高分辨率倒易空间测绘、极图分析、摇摆曲线分析、反射仪、应力和纹理分析以及地形。最先进的X射线衍射能力将对LASST有关(I)半导体气体传感器薄膜和陶瓷涂层，(Ii)用于声波器件和传感器的新型压电单晶，以及(Iii)用于化学检测和化学分离的介孔和纳米孔材料的研究项目特别有价值。其他将受益于高分辨率X射线衍射分析的材料研究项目包括微系统元件和生物MEMS设备、生物材料和蛋白质结构、微电子介质、纸张涂层、复合材料、纳米颗粒探针、水泥基材料、沸石和金属催化剂。缅因州大学的研究人员计划获得最先进的X射线衍射(XRD)材料分析系统，以研究他们实验室正在开发的薄膜涂层、传感器和其他材料的表面结构。有关材料中原子键的详细信息将使下一代化学传感器的开发能够检测环境中的有毒化学物质，用于超高温的新型保护性陶瓷涂层，改进的高频电子材料，以及用于化学检测和分离的膜。这项研究将由UMaine的本科生、研究生、博士后、访问科学家以及来自其他学院和大学、行业、非营利性研究机构和缅因州公立学校的合作者进行。该系统将设在表面科学与技术实验室(LASST)，这是一个跨学科的研究中心，汇集了来自UMaine的物理、化学、电气工程、化学工程和生物工程的专业知识，以解决与表面、界面、薄膜、微设备和纳米结构材料相关的问题。拟议中的系统是缅因州唯一的此类系统，将用于与缅因州高科技公司和几家初创公司的项目，这些公司是通过LASST研究在传感器技术方面孵化出来的。教育外展讲习班和演示将用于向参加UMaine其他NSF资助的培训活动的普通公众、初中和高中教师、高中生、本科生和研究生传授技术概念。

The University of Maine's Laboratory for Surface Science & Technology (LASST) proposes to purchase a high performance X-ray Diffraction (XRD) system to provide critical information about the structural properties of materials at the atomic, molecular, and nanometer scale. The versatile instrument will be composed of an X-ray generator, X-ray mirrors and lenses, a hybrid monochromator, a high resolution goniometer and sample cradle, slits and collimators, a fast multichannel detector and Xe proportional counter, and a high temperature sample stage. Specific measurement capabilities of the XRD system will include phase analysis, high resolution reciprocal space mapping, pole figure analysis, rocking curve analysis, reflectometry, stress and texture analysis, and topography. State-of-the-art XRD capabilities will be especially valuable to research programs at LASST pertaining to (i) semiconductor gas sensor films and ceramic coatings, (ii) novel piezoelectric single crystals for acoustic wave devices and sensors, and (iii) mesoporous and nanoporous materials for chemical detection and chemical separation. Other materials research projects that will benefit from high resolution XRD analysis include microsystem components and bio-MEMS devices, biomaterials and protein structures, dielectrics for microelectronics, paper coatings, composite materials, nanoparticle probes, cement-based materials, zeolites, and metal catalysts. University of Maine researchers propose to acquire a state-of-the-art X-ray Diffraction (XRD) Materials Analysis System to investigate the structure of the surfaces of thin film coatings, sensors, and other materials being developed in their laboratory. Detailed information about atomic bonding in materials will enable development of next generation chemical sensors to detect toxic chemicals in the environment, novel protective ceramic coatings for ultra-high temperatures, improved high frequency electronic materials, and membranes for chemical detection and separation. This research will be conducted by UMaine undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, visiting scientists, and collaborators from other colleges and universities, industries, non-profit research institutions, and Maine's public schools. The system will be located in the Laboratory for Surface Science & Technology (LASST), an interdisciplinary research center that brings together UMaine expertise from physics, chemistry, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, and biological engineering to solve problems related to surfaces, interfaces, thin films, microdevices, and nanostructured materials. The proposed system, the only of its kind in the State of Maine, will be used in projects with Maine high-tech companies and several start-up companies incubated from LASST research in sensor technology. Educational outreach workshops and demonstrations will be used to teach technology concepts to the general public, middle and high school teachers, high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students participating in other NSF-funded training activities at UMaine.