Optical Metrology of Advanced Materials

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The science of metrology relates to the accurate measurement of physical dimensional parameters. Typically, this may be conducted over a wide range of length scales, including for manufactured components. In terms of research on advanced materials, and in particular their associated microstructures, this involves the ability to measure features in both two- and three-dimensions, often down to the nm level. The present application is for a confocal laser scanning microscope (LSM) to allow the characterisation of a broad range of advanced materials. The LSM metrology system offers a variety of imaging modes, and also allows quantification of dimensional parameters of the observed microstructures, down to ~10 nm resolution. The requested infrastructure will be supporting a diverse range of research programmes relating to various aspects of advanced materials, in both the Faculties of Engineering and Science at Dalhousie University, and the Faculty of Science at Acadia University. These include: (i) grinding and surface finishing of materials [Bauer (Dalhousie)], (ii) investigation of low-dimensional materials [Bennett (Acadia)], (iii) wear and corrosion evaluation of advanced materials [Bishop, Farhat and Plucknett (all Dalhousie)], (iii) particulate materials processing [Bishop, Farhat, Plucknett], (iv) Li-ion battery development and characterisation [Dahn (Dalhousie)], (v) processing and characterisation of polymer composites/nanocomposites [Taheri (Dalhousie)], (vi) Structure-property relationships for materials design [White (Dalhousie)], and (v) crystal growth and devitrification in glass [Zwanziger (Dalhousie)]. The proposed equipment is critical to the research of the applicants, and significantly expands upon current capabilities in terms of advanced materials characterisation. The diversity of research programmes that will benefit from this facility is considerable, ranging from basic science to applied, industrially oriented engineering applications. Furthermore, significant long term benefits can be expected through facilitating cross-disciplinary interaction between the primary applicants, their colleagues, and their HQP. The need for the equipment is immediate, vital to the success of the outlined research programmes, and will ultimately support the work of more than 50 HQP per annum, across ten individual research groups (including mutiple research chairs (CRCs and NSERC IRCs).