National Facility for High Speed and High Temperature X-Ray Diffraction

国家高速高温X射线衍射装置

• 批准号: EP/X013774/1
• 负责人: James Bowen
• 金额: $ 82.17万
• 依托单位: The Open University
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2022 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FX013774%2F1
• 关键词: National; Facility; Speed; Temperature; Ray

Developing an understanding of the properties of functional materials is achieved via systematic analysis of their performance, typically under a range of conditions, perhaps replicating their manufacture and processing, or the environment in which they are intended to be used. The information obtained from these analyses often drive innovation, leading to new technologies which can have profound impact across society. Materials used for energy applications and for structural integrity typically experience high temperatures and rapid temperature changes. Characterising the long-term effect of sustained operation under extreme conditions, especially cyclic heating and cooling, is a challenging measurement goal. Similarly, the processing and manufacture of metals, alloys, polymers, ceramics, and pharmaceuticals often involves changes in temperature and changes of phase including melting and freezing, in certain cases with crystallisation, the morphology of which may determine the usefulness - or otherwise - of the material in its final form. There is currently a critical lack of technical capability for measuring the structural properties of materials across a large temperature range; this is particularly true for temperatures in excess of 1000 oC. Further, the ability to rapidly measure changes in material properties at lower temperatures, with high resolution, is another research need which is poorly catered for. The inability to obtain important information under challenging measurement conditions prevents further breakthroughs and innovations in certain technology areas that are vital to the UK's long-term interests. The National Facility for High Speed and High Temperature X-Ray Diffraction at the Open University (OU) will provide the UK with a unique and timely facility enabling pioneering materials characterisation measurements for engineers, chemists, physicists, and materials scientists. It will facilitate in delivering transformative research programmes under the EPSRC themes of Energy, Engineering, Global Uncertainties, Healthcare Technologies, Manufacturing the Future, Physical Sciences, Quantum Technologies, and Research Infrastructure - achieved through the provision of remotely accessible instrumentation capable of measuring structural changes in materials over large temperature ranges and at high speed. The diverse prospective user community have already expressed their overwhelming support for this facility, demonstrating the scientific need which exists across the UK. This facility will benefit a significant breadth of high-quality UK engineering and physical sciences research. The facility will become a national hub for non-ambient materials characterisation, where fundamental insights into the unique properties of high-value, functional materials and their associated technologies can be explored. The facility will be a place where best practise can be shared, new collaborations will be established, and innovative, transformative projects will be realised. For some research groups it will serve as a 'Gateway to the Synchrotrons', yielding data that supports applications to those facilities, increasing their competitiveness. Significant impact in research relating to the environment, healthcare, and high-value materials is expected, followed by positive economic impact over the coming decades via the technologies which will be developed as a result of the new insights achieved.

通过系统分析功能材料的性能（通常在一系列条件下），可能会复制其制造和加工，或其预期使用的环境，来了解功能材料的特性。从这些分析中获得的信息往往会推动创新，从而产生对整个社会产生深远影响的新技术。用于能源应用和结构完整性的材料通常会经历高温和快速的温度变化。描述极端条件下持续运行的长期影响，特别是循环加热和冷却，是一个具有挑战性的测量目标。类似地，金属、合金、聚合物、陶瓷和药物的加工和制造通常涉及温度变化和相变，包括熔化和冻结，在某些情况下伴随结晶，其形态可以决定材料最终形式的有用性或其他方面。目前严重缺乏在大温度范围内测量材料结构特性的技术能力;对于超过1000 ℃的温度尤其如此。此外，在较低温度下以高分辨率快速测量材料特性变化的能力是另一个研究需求，这一需求没有得到很好的满足。在具有挑战性的测量条件下无法获得重要信息，阻碍了对英国长期利益至关重要的某些技术领域的进一步突破和创新。英国开放大学的国家高速和高温X射线衍射设施将为英国提供一个独特而及时的设施，为工程师，化学家，物理学家和材料科学家提供开创性的材料表征测量。它将促进在能源，工程，全球Uniform，医疗保健技术，制造未来，物理科学，量子技术和研究基础设施的EPSRC主题下提供变革性研究计划-通过提供能够测量材料结构变化的远程访问仪器来实现在大温度范围内和高速。多元化的潜在用户社区已经表达了对该设施的压倒性支持，表明了英国各地存在的科学需求。该设施将有利于高质量的英国工程和物理科学研究的显著广度。该设施将成为非环境材料表征的国家中心，可以探索高价值功能材料及其相关技术的独特特性。该设施将是一个可以分享最佳实践的地方，将建立新的合作，并实现创新，变革性项目。对于一些研究小组来说，它将作为“同步加速器的门户”，产生支持这些设施应用的数据，提高他们的竞争力。预计将对环境，医疗保健和高价值材料的研究产生重大影响，然后通过将因新见解而开发的技术在未来几十年内产生积极的经济影响。