Field emission scanning electron microscope for green energy, bio-composites, and nanotechnology research

这项提案的目的是申请资金购买具有能量色散X射线(EDX)光谱分析能力的场发射扫描电子显微镜(FESEM)。所要求的仪器应具有优于2 nm的分辨率，并能够分辨小于10 nm的对象。能谱分析可以确定样品的元素组成。目前，滑铁卢大学(UW)只有一名FESEM为约1000名教职员工服务。这在现有的乐器上造成了过度拥挤的情况。每个研究小组每周的工具时间限制为6小时。这对威斯康星大学的科研工作的数量和质量造成了毁灭性的限制。需要一个额外的FESEM，因为它对维系威斯康星大学的研究极为关键。为了强调这一FESEM请求的重要性和迫不得已，一群华盛顿大学的教职员工和化学工程系联合起来，为这台仪器提供了8.5万美元的配套资金。化学工程部还将为该FESEM的安装费用提供额外资金。一些可以立即从新仪器中受益的项目包括但不限于太阳能电池、高功率燃料电池、高效电池、先进药物输送、柔性电子、纳米线、纳米管、纳米流体设备、纳米多孔和磁性薄膜、先进化学催化剂、自旋电子学和汽车工业的生物复合材料。

The intent of this proposal is to request funding for the purchase of a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) with an Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy capability. The requested instrument expected to have resolution better than 2 nm and capable to resolve objects smaller than 10 nm. The EDX can identify the elemental composition of the specimens. Currently, there is only one FESEM serving ~1000 faculty member at the University of Waterloo (UW). This creates an overcrowded situation on the existing instrument. Each research group has been limited to 6 hour of tool time each week. This posts a devastating constrain on the quantity and quality of scientific research work produced at UW. An additional FESEM is needed because it is extremely critical for maintaining research at UW. To highlight the importance and desperation for this FESEM request, a group of UW faculty members and the Chemical Engineering Department banded together to provide $85k as matching fund for this instrument. The Chemical Engineering Department will also provide additional funds for the installation costs of this FESEM. Some of the projects that can benefit from the new instruments immediately include but are not limited to solar cells, high power fuel cells, high efficiency batteries, advanced drug delivery, flexible electronics, nanowires, nanotubes, nano-fluidic devices, nano-porous and magnetic thin films, advanced chemical catalyst, spintronics, and bio-composites for the automotive industry.