MRI: Acquisition of an Electron Energy Loss Imaging Filter for Real-time Microchemical Dynamics and Chemical Tomography

技术摘要：本提案旨在获得一种电子能量损失成像滤波器，用于安装在现有的多用户200千伏透射电子显微镜（TEM）上，由宾夕法尼亚州立大学材料表征实验室管理。随着最近的机构投资，该TEM已经升级，以促进纳米长度尺度下材料结构作为温度，施加电偏置或施加应力的函数的原位动力学研究。成像过滤器将允许化学传输的并行实时映射，这样化学动力学及其与纳米和微观结构特征的相互作用可以被研究。在材料的相变、扩散和电化学研究过程中，将实时监测微化学。能量滤光器将实现的另一类实验是能量滤光衍射，这样我们就可以对非晶体材料进行定量径向分布函数分析，对应变工程薄膜进行定量应变分析。由能量过滤器实现的实验将产生广泛的机构影响，并将显著影响宾夕法尼亚州立大学nsf资助的几个中心，包括MRSEC纳米科学中心、I/UCRC介电研究中心和I/UCRC颗粒材料中心。此外，通过PI附属的夏季外展项目，例如女孩利用技术和科学，科学教育者研讨会和本科生研究经验，我们将利用能量过滤功能为高中生，本科生和传统上代表性不足的群体提供纳米材料化学的视觉洞察。摘要：通常，材料的宏观性能（如机械、热学和电学）是由材料在微米和纳米尺度上的结构和化学不均匀性决定的。在纳米尺度上研究结构的一项宝贵技术是透射电子显微镜（TEM）。该提案寻求获得一个附加到TEM的光谱仪，特别是电子能量损失成像滤波器，这将允许同时进行化学表征。事实上，当材料受到热、电或机械应力时，纳米长度尺度的化学图可以形成并实时记录。这台光谱仪的加入将大大加强宾夕法尼亚州立大学的研究、教育和推广任务。新的成像滤波器将被整合到现有的表征和纳米技术课程中，并且将创建一个关于能量滤波成像的新的实践，研究生水平的实验课程。此外，获得成像滤波器将通过医疗保健、微电子、制造和能源等技术部门促进具有广泛社会效益的研究。

Technical Abstract:This proposal seeks to acquire an electron energy loss imaging filter for installation on an existing multi-user 200 kV transmission electron microscope (TEM), managed by the Penn State Materials Characterization Laboratory. With recent institutional investment, this TEM has been upgraded to facilitate in-situ dynamical studies of material structure at the nanometer length scale as a function of temperature, applied electrical bias or applied stress. The imaging filter will allow for parallel, real-time mapping of chemical transport such that chemical dynamics and their interactions with nano- and micro-structural features can be studied. Microchemistry will be monitored real-time during phase-transformation, diffusional and electrochemical studies of materials. Another class of experiments that the energy filter will enable is energy-filtered diffraction, such that we can perform quantitative radial distribution function analysis on non-crystalline materials and quantitative strain analysis on strain-engineered thin films. The experiments enabled by the energy filter will have broad institutional impact and will significantly impact several NSF-funded centers at Penn State including the MRSEC Center for Nanoscale Science, the I/UCRC Center for Dielectric Studies and the I/UCRC Particulate Materials Center. In addition, through summer outreach programs with which the PI is affiliated, e.g. Girls Utilizing Technology and Science, Science Educator Workshops, and Research Experiences for Undergraduates, we will utilize the energy filter capabilities to provide visual insight into nanomaterial chemistry to high school students, undergraduates and traditionally underrepresented groups.Non Technical Abstract:Often, the macroscopic properties of materials (e.g., mechanical, thermal, and electrical) are governed by structural and chemical inhomogeneites in the materials at the micrometer and nanometer scale. One invaluable technique for studying structure at the nanometer scale is the transmission electron microscope (TEM). This proposal seeks to acquire a spectrometer to attach onto the TEM, specifically and electron energy loss imaging filter, which will allow for simultaneous chemical characterization. In fact, chemical maps at the nanometer length scale can be formed and recorded real time as the material is subjected to thermal, electrical or mechanical stresses. The addition of this spectrometer will significantly enhance the research, educational and outreach missions of Penn State. The new imaging filter will be incorporated into existing characterization and nanotechnology coursework, and a new hands-on, graduate-level laboratory course will be created on energy-filtered imaging. Furthermore, having access to the imaging filter will promote research with wide ranging societal benefits through technological sectors such as healthcare, microelectronics, manufacturing and energy.