MRI: Acquisition of a High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope for In Situ Microscopy Research and Education

MRI：购买高分辨率透射电子显微镜用于原位显微镜研究和教育

• 批准号: 1429232
• 负责人: Stephen Hackney
• 金额: $ 120万
• 依托单位: Michigan Technological University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2014
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2014-08-15 至 2018-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1429232&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: MRI; Acquisition; Resolution; Transmission; Electron

Non Technical: In order to address many challenges in energy, health, climate change, and nanotechnology, scientists need to study the underlying chemical or physical reactions at scales down to a few atoms. Fortunately with the advancement of electron microscopy techniques, it is now possible to visualize such atomic or subatomic scales in specimens with great accuracy. On the other hand, the development of micro and nano fabrication techniques has allowed the use of specialty-made specimen holders that enable the application of liquid/gas or electrical/mechanical fields in the electron microscopes for real time monitoring (or in situ studies). In this project, a high-resolution transmission electron microscope will be combined with advanced in situ specimen holders. This combination allows the study of materials that are relevant to rechargeable batteries, medical sciences, small-scale electronics, and energy technologies. The new instrument is located in a shared user facility allowing full access to on-campus and off-campus researchers. New courses and hands-on training workshops are planned to educate the graduate and undergraduate students about the newest developments in the field of electron microscopy and its applications for materials analysis.Technical: This project seeks funding for the acquisition of a high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) for in situ electron microscopy of materials under electrical field, mechanical loading, electrochemical conditions, high temperatures, and liquid/gas environments. This instrument substantially impacts the research projects that are national priorities such as energy storage, nanomaterials synthesis, biomineralization, photovoltaics, graphene, and nanoelectronics. Examples of the research projects that can be enabled with the use of the HRTEM are: (1) study of lithiation/sodiation reactions in cathodes and anodes; (2) biomineralization and crystallization processes in ferritin particles; (3) phase transitions and resistive switching in strongly-correlated materials; (4) mechanical/electrical probing of heterojunctions; and (5) mixing state mechanisms of aerosol nanoparticles. In addition, the new TEM substantially enhances the interdisciplinary research and teaching efforts carried out by Michigan Tech faculty and students. Furthermore, this instrument in conjunction with our in-situ TEM holder capabilities would place Michigan Tech at the forefront of in situ high-resolution electron microcopy in the Northern Midwest region. The undergraduate and graduate students gain hands-on training on advanced imaging techniques and spectroscopy mapping practices as part of the new microscopy courses. To engage college/precollege students in scientifically stimulating ideas related to electron microscopy, several outreach activities for underrepresented and community college undergraduate students are planned.

非技术：为了应对能源、健康、气候变化和纳米技术方面的许多挑战，科学家们需要在小到几个原子的尺度上研究潜在的化学或物理反应。幸运的是，随着电子显微镜技术的进步，现在可以非常准确地观察样品中的原子或亚原子尺度。另一方面，微米和纳米制造技术的发展已经允许使用特制的样品架，其使得能够在电子显微镜中应用液体/气体或电/机械场，用于真实的时间监测（或原位研究）。在该项目中，高分辨率透射电子显微镜将与先进的原位样品架相结合。这种组合允许研究与可充电电池，医学科学，小型电子和能源技术相关的材料。新仪器位于一个共享的用户设施中，允许校内和校外研究人员完全访问。新的课程和实践培训研讨会计划教育研究生和本科生关于电子显微镜领域的最新发展及其在材料分析中的应用。技术：该项目寻求资金，用于购买高分辨率透射电子显微镜（HRTEM），用于在电场，机械负载，电化学条件，高温，和液体/气体环境。这一工具对能源储存、纳米材料合成、生物矿化、光电子学、石墨烯和纳米电子学等国家重点研究项目产生了重大影响。使用高分辨透射电镜可以实现的研究项目的例子有：（1）阴极和阳极中锂化/钠化反应的研究;（2）铁蛋白颗粒中的生物矿化和结晶过程;（3）强相关材料中的相变和电阻转换;（4）异质结的机械/电气探测;以及（5）气溶胶纳米颗粒的混合状态机制。此外，新的TEM大大增强了密歇根理工学院教师和学生开展的跨学科研究和教学工作。此外，该仪器与我们的原位TEM保持器能力相结合，将使密歇根理工大学在北方中西部地区的原位高分辨率电子显微镜的最前沿。作为新显微镜课程的一部分，本科生和研究生将获得关于先进成像技术和光谱映射实践的实践培训。为了让大学生/预科生在科学上激发与电子显微镜相关的想法，计划为代表性不足和社区学院的本科生开展几项推广活动。