MRI: Track 1 Acquisition of Nexsa G2 XPS Surface Analysis System

该重大研究仪器奖支持从ThermoFisher Science收购Nexsa G2 XPS表面分析系统。这一独特的系统将对南达科他州矿业与技术学院以及整个南达科他州地区的研究中心和项目产生重大影响。在国家层面，Nexsa G2将影响东北大学和锡拉丘兹大学的两个NSF产学合作研究中心(IUCRC)。收购Nexsa G2 XPS将推动许多不同领域的基础和应用多学科研究，重点是有机、无机和生物材料、其先进制造以及表面和界面工艺分析。这种设备将有利于美国埃尔斯沃斯空军基地的研发，让IUCRC的行业合作伙伴参与进来，并为当地快速增长的高科技公司丰富仪器设备能力。Nexsa G2 XPS系统将通过将Nexsa G2光谱方法的原理纳入课程，加强对南达科他州矿业公司和其他南达科他州大学研究生和本科生的教育和培训。该工具还将通过直接动手或远程学习体验，帮助其他大学的学生进行尖端教育。来自南达科他州部落学院和大学的美国印第安人学生中最大的少数群体个人也将有机会通过大学前培训、夏季桥梁项目、研究和教育参与Nexsa G2 XPS系统。Nexsa G2 XPS系统通过使用四种共入射光谱技术来分析化学成分、电子结构和相变，揭示了无机、有机和生物复合材料的表面和界面的基本机制。具体地说，该系统允许进一步增强对涂层、附着力、润湿性、腐蚀性和生物兼容性的分析。用于固体、玻璃、2D材料和生物材料的可互换模板使该系统对来自学术界、工业和国家实验室的多个用户具有吸引力。深度剖面法在分析多层结构和纳米复合材料界面的共价键和原子振动方面具有优势。现场收集的数据地图将用于评估原子之间的化学相互作用、机械变形、界面结合、形态、离子传输和结晶度。Nexsa G2 XPS系统要研究的特定主题包括化学试剂、生物传感器、金属玻璃，以及通过喷雾打印、热沉积或超音速冷喷涂等添加剂制造技术沉积的功能材料。该系统与储能材料相关，提供关于表面和界面的质量传输机制的宝贵信息。该项目由重大仪器研究计划(MRI)、既定的激励竞争研究计划(EPSCoR)和土木工程、机械和制造创新部门(CMMI)联合资助。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This Major Research Instrumentation award supports the acquisition of a Nexsa G2 XPS Surface Analysis System from ThermoFisher Scientific. This unique system will significantly impact the research centers and programs at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology as well as the whole South Dakota region. At the national level, the Nexsa G2 will impact two NSF Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) Sites at Northeastern University and Syracuse University. Acquisition of the Nexsa G2 XPS will advance many different areas of fundamental and applied multi-disciplinary research focused on organic, inorganic, and biomaterials, their advanced manufacturing, and analysis of processes at surfaces and interfaces. This equipment will benefit research and development at the U.S. Ellsworth Airforce Base, involve IUCRC industry partners, and enrich instrumentation capabilities for local fast-growing high-tech companies. The Nexsa G2 XPS system will enhance education and training of graduate and undergraduate students at South Dakota Mines and other South Dakota universities through the incorporation of principles of Nexsa G2 spectroscopic methods in the curriculum. The instrument will also aid the cutting-edge education of students at other universities through direct hands-on or distance-learning experiences. Individuals from the largest minority group of American Indian students from South Dakota Tribal Colleges and Universities will also have the opportunity to engage with the Nexsa G2 XPS system through pre-college orientation, summer bridge programs, research, and education.The Nexsa G2 XPS system reveals fundamental mechanisms at surfaces and interfaces in inorganic, organic, and biocomposites by using four co-incident spectroscopic techniques to analyze the chemical composition, electronic structure, and phase transformations. Specifically, the system allows further enhanced analysis of coatings, adhesion, wettability, corrosion, and biocompatibility. Interchangeable sample plates for solids, glasses, 2D materials, and biomaterials make this system attractive for multiple users from academia, industry, and national laboratories. Depth profiling has advantages for the analysis of covalent bonds and atomic vibrations at interfaces in multilayer structures and nanocomposites. Collected in-situ, data maps will be used for evaluation of chemical interactions between atoms, mechanical deformations, interfacial bonding, morphology, ionic transport, and crystallinity. Specific topics to be investigated by the Nexsa G2 XPS system include chemical agents, biosensors, metallic glasses, and functional materials deposited by additive manufacturing techniques such as aerosol-jet printing, thermal deposition, or supersonic cold spray. Relevant to energy storage materials, this system provides invaluable information about mass-transport mechanisms at surfaces and interfaces.This project is jointly funded by the Major Instrumentation Research Program (MRI), the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), and the division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI).This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.