MRI: Consortium Proposal: Acquisition of a Dual Beam Focused Ion Beam System to Support Transformative Device and Materials Research in the Greater Houston Area

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The objective of this research is to enhance science and engineering programs in the Greater Houston area, one of the largest metropolitan complexes in the US with a vibrant economy stimulated by the presence of major research Universities, the Texas Medical Center, the NASA, and active industrial research. The dual-beam focused ion-beam system will support a range of research programs from energy research to nanoscience to nanoelectronics to astrobiology. These include advanced data storage systems for information technologies; biosensors for medical diagnostics, rapid drug development, and biodefence applications; silicon-based drug delivery systems; and identification and characterization of biomarkers in extraterrestrial matter.The intellectual merit of the acquisition is to leverage the existing fabrication toolset to gain great flexibility in nanofabrication and in device and materials metrology. The instrument will enable significant enhancements to a wide range of materials and device programs including studies of resistive memories, fuel cells, high-temperature superconductors, nanowire interconnect, nanoscale light sources, biosensors, drug delivery systems, nanoelectro-mechanical system, and spintronics. The broader impact of the program is to bring together a diverse group of institutions including the University of Houston, a prominent urban university, the University of Texas Health Science Center, a premier medical research institution, Rice University, the top-tier private school, and NASA, a federally funded center. The partnership and new technical capabilities will aid in the development of new collaborative programs, enable exploration of new scientific frontiers that otherwise would not be possible, and to enhance the educational experiences of the students involved.