MRI: Acquisition of an X-Ray Photoelectron Spectrometer

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With this award from the Major Reseach Instrumentation (MRI) program, the NSF Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and the Chemistry Research Instrumentation Program, the University of Delaware will acquire an X-Ray Photoelectron Spectrometer (XPS). An XPS measures the binding energy of the electrons from the chemical elements in a sample. These data provide identification of the chemical composition of the material. Hence, XPS is a principal method for the study of surface chemistry, reactivity, and composition. It is a basic analytical method across a broad spectrum of science and engineering (STEM) disciplines. This acquisition will be a critical resource for the State of Delaware. It will serve other institutions in Delaware including Delaware State University, an HBCU. The instrument will be open access and remotely accessible broadening its availability. It will be used in undergraduate and graduate level courses to train the next generation of scientists in state-of-the-art analysis techniques.The proposal is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels, especially in areas such as studying (a) fuel cell performance; (b) photovoltaic materials; (c) catalyst characterization; (d) geomicrobiology; (e) orthopaedic materials; (f) magnetic materials; (g) solid state ionics; (h) functional biomaterials; (i) atmospheric and analytical chemistry; and (j) membrane design.