MRI-R2: Acquisition of FEG TEM/STEM for Materials and Nanotechnology Research and Education

[摘要]本奖项由2009年美国复苏与再投资法案（公法111-5）资助。技术摘要：在内布拉斯加大学林肯分校的一个定制设计的设施中安装拟议的场发射（扫描）透射电子显微镜（FE(S)TEM），将为内布拉斯加大学纳米科学技术和先进材料的所有研究人员提供使用先进仪器进行研究、研究培训和相关教育的机会。它将使教师和学生能够灵活有效地表征纳米材料和器件的详细结构、组成、形态和许多特性，包括近原子尺度上的界面和重要缺陷。这一关键的改进将扩大研究人员的能力，使他们能够以他们需要的方式可视化他们的粒子、薄膜、图案表面、电线和设备，但在内布拉斯加州或附近地区尚未获得。研究的初始科学目标包括材料研究：量子电子、自旋电子和磁性现象及其器件应用；手性纳米杂化材料；新型低功功能和半导体材料；纳米级的硬磁铁材料注定会提供更节能的电机。相关的研究和培训活动包括更强调内布拉斯加州和其他地区的外展和研究合作，借助FE(S)TEM的综合远程显微镜设施。FE(S)TEM将使更多研究生的招聘和研究效率得到提高，并使研究人员能够在目前的水平上扩大招聘和与代表性不足群体的学生合作。FE(S)TEM将在高级和研究生课程，以及材料研究科学和工程教育中发挥重要作用。摘要：每一代我们在工作、旅行、交流、娱乐和个人生活中迅速视为理所当然的新材料和新技术的运行和性能，都取决于其关键成分在单个原子和分子水平上的结构和性质。先进的电子显微镜，特别是在这个项目中获得的场发射（扫描）透射电子显微镜（FE(S)TEM），为研究人员提供了他们需要的分析工具，以了解他们最新材料和设备的性能，并进行研究，使下一代新材料和技术成为可能。安装在我们定制的电子显微镜环境中，FE (S)TEM将提供研究使用，研究培训和相关教育，并将扩大研究人员以他们需要的方式可视化他们的粒子，薄膜，图案表面，电线和设备的能力，但内布拉斯加州或附近地区尚未获得。材料和技术应用包括：替代能源和可再生能源的捕获、储存和供应；更快、更小、更安全的通信和信息技术也需要更少的能源；用于国家安全、医学、科学和空间的探测器；以及用于节能汽车和交通工具的轻质强磁铁。该项目的研究和培训活动包括强调内布拉斯加州及其他地区的推广和研究合作，并借助于FE(S)TEM的综合远程显微镜设备。FE(S)TEM将有助于为美国和内布拉斯加州的劳动力招募，教育和培训更多样化的学生。FE(S)TEM将加强高等本科和研究生课程，以及所有材料研究科学和工程教育。

Abstract0960110SellmyerThis award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).TECHNICAL ABSTRACT: Installation of the proposed field-emission (scanning) transmission-electron microscope (FE(S)TEM), in a custom-designed facility at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will provide all researchers in nanoscale science and technology and in advanced materials throughout the University of Nebraska with access to advanced instrumentation for research use, research training, and related education. It will enable faculty and students to characterize flexibly and efficiently the detailed structure, composition, morphology and many properties of nanoscale materials and devices, including interfaces and important imperfections at near-atomic scale. This key enhancement will expand the ability of researchers to visualize their particles, thin films, patterned surfaces, wires and devices in ways that they need, but do not yet have access to in Nebraska or nearby.The initial scientific goals of research include materials research on: quantum electronic, spintronic and magnetic phenomena and device applications; chiral nanostructured hybrid materials; novel low-work-function and semiconducting materials; and nanoscale hard-magnet materials destined to provide more energy-efficient motors. The related research and training activities include greater emphasis on outreach and research collaboration across the Nebraska and beyond, with the aid of the integrated telemicroscopy facility of the FE(S)TEM. The FE(S)TEM will enable enhanced recruitment of, and research productivity by, more graduate students, and will enable the investigators to expand recruiting and work with students from under-represented groups beyond present levels. The FE(S)TEM will be featured in upper-level and graduate courses, and in materials research science and engineering education.LAYMAN ABSTRACT: The operation and performance of each generation of the new materials and technology that we quickly take for granted in the work place, in travel, in communication, in entertainment and in personal life depends on the structure and properties of the key constituents at the level of individual atoms and molecules. Advanced electron microscopes, especially the field-emission (scanning) transmission-electron microscope (FE(S)TEM) that will be acquired in this project, provide researchers with the analysis tools they need to understand the performance of their latest materials and devices and to conduct research that enables the next generations of new materials and technologies. Installed in our custom-created electron microscope environment, the FE (S)TEM will provide for research use, research-training, and related education and will expand the ability of researchers to visualize their particles, thin films, patterned surfaces, wires and devices in ways that they need, but do not yet have access to in Nebraska or nearby. The materials and technology applications include: alternative and renewable energy capture, storage and supply; faster, smaller and more secure communications and information technologies that also demand less energy; detectors for use in national security, medicine, science and space; and light, strong magnets for energy-efficient cars and transportation.The project's research and training activities include added emphasis on outreach and research collaboration across the Nebraska and beyond, aided by the integrated telemicroscopy facility of the FE(S)TEM. The FE(S)TEM will help in recruiting, educating and training a more diverse range of students for the U.S. and Nebraskan workforce. The FE(S)TEM will enhance advanced-undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as all materials research science and engineering education.