Acquisition of a spectrophotometer for materials development

我们请求资金购买一台分光光度计，其功能从紫外线延伸到光学到近红外区域。该装置测量光在材料中的透射率和反射率，作为光的波长的函数。我们将使用这种设备来表征和开发用于大规模成像应用的新的高性能玻璃。用于这种应用的玻璃必须对温度和应力的环境波动非常不敏感，传统上，这一目标是通过使用含铅量非常高的玻璃来实现的。这类玻璃及其制造具有重大的环境风险，我们正在开发无铅替代品。拟议的工具将是表征和优化这些材料的关键。此外，该分光光度计将与电化学测量相结合，以检查和阐明当系统长时间处于带电状态时超级电容器中发生的自放电机制。由于超级电容器对于储能市场(在这个日益注重能源的社会中是一个非常重要的点)是一个很好的选择，但受到这种自放电的限制，这项研究对于防止/克服自放电将是至关重要的。这两个项目都将产生高附加值的材料，并将产生大量的知识产权。这两个项目还将扩大对复杂和专题材料系统的科学理解。加拿大将在科学上受益于所产生的成果，从长远来看，将受益于将就这一仪器和拟议的研究方案接受培训的高素质人员。加拿大还将从高技术工业和能源部门开发的知识产权和材料中获得经济利益。

We request funds to purchase a spectrophotometer with capabilities extending from the ultraviolet through the optical into the near infrared regions. This device measures the transmission of light through, and reflectance from, a material, as a function of the wavelength of the light. We will use this device to characterize and develop new high performance glasses for use in large scale imaging applications.  Glass for this application must be extraordinarily insensitive to environmental fluctuations of temperature and stress, and traditionally this goal has been met by using glass with very high lead content. Such glasses and their manufacture have significant environmental risks, and we are developing lead-free alternatives. The proposed instrument will be essential in characterizing and optimizing these materials. Additionally, this spectrophotometer will be coupled with electrochemical measurements to examine and elucidate the mechanism of self-discharge which occurs in supercapacitors when the system is left for prolonged periods in the charged state.  Since supercapacitors are an excellent option for the energy-storage market (a very important point in this ever-increasingly energy conscious society), but are limited by this self-discharge, this study will be vital in preventing/overcoming self-discharge. Both projects will lead to high valued-added materials and will generate significant intellectual property. Both will also expand scientific understanding of complex and topical materials systems. Canada will benefit scientifically both from the results generated and in the longer term from the highly qualified personnel that will be trained on this instrument and on the proposed research programs. Canada will also benefit economically from the intellectual property developed and from the materials developed both in the high technology industry and in the energy sector.