Replacement Scanning Electron Microscope for materials chemistry research

用于材料化学研究的替代扫描电子显微镜

• 批准号: RTI-2017-00371
• 负责人: Easton, EBradley
• 金额: $ 10.79万
• 依托单位: University of Ontario Institute of Technology
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Research Tools and Instruments
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2016-01-01 至 2017-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=616657
• 关键词: Replacement; Scanning; Electron; Microscope; materials

This proposal seeks to acquire a new scanning electron microscope (SEM) system, urgently needed to replace the old system that is no longer functioning. An SEM is one of the most useful and versatile instruments to study new materials, enabling imaging of the morphology and structure of sample, allowing micro/nano-scale features of be related to the function of the material. Furthermore, when equipped with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) detectors, the atomic composition of the sample can be determined by X-ray fluorescence. The SEM system will be used to characterize new advanced materials for clean energy and environmental sensing technologies. Specifically, the instrumentation will be used to determine structure-property relationships for new fuel cell electrodes materials. Fuel Cell technologies provide clean energy by converting hydrogen fuel into electricity and water. They have the potential to be more widely deployed in the energy landscape provided that improvements can be made in the performance-to-cost ratio of the materials, and also in their durability. The supported research programs are focused on synthesis and evaluation of new electrode materials that could overcome many of these issues. In addition, the SEM system will also be used to characterize a new class of ion sensing devices that can be used rapidly to metal monitor containment in water. Such devices have the potential to be deployed as low-cost environmental monitoring for both waste and clean water sources. SEM measurements will enable imaging of the micro and nano-scale features of the new materials. EDX measurements will enable bulk composition determination and the digital X-ray mapping feature enable visualization of the elemental distribution within the catalyst layer or sensor surface. These measurements will enable us to understand how composition and morphology influence performance and guide the design of better devices. This equipment will not only help sustain our existing research programs, but also enable new and exciting research directions. Advancements from this work will help strengthen Canada’s competitiveness in advanced materials, clean energy, and environmental monitoring technologies.

该提案旨在获取新的扫描电子显微镜（SEM）系统，迫切需要更换不再运行的旧系统。 SEM是研究新材料的最有用和通用的仪器之一，可以对样品的形态和结构进行成像，从而允许与材料功能相关的微/纳米尺度特征。此外，当配备能量分散X射线（EDX）检测器时，可以通过X射线荧光确定样品的原子成分。 SEM系统将用于表征新的高级材料，用于清洁能源和环境传感技术。具体而言，该仪器将用于确定新燃料电池电子材料的结构特质关系。燃料电池技术通过将氢燃料转化为电力和水来提供清洁能源。如果可以在材料的性能与成本率和耐用性的性能与成本比率方面进行改进，则有可能在能源领域中更广泛地部署。支持的研究计划的重点是对可能克服许多此类问题的新电极材料的综合和评估。 此外，SEM系统还将用于表征一类新的离子传感设备，这些设备可快速用于水中的金属监测器。这样的设备有可能部署作为废物和清洁水源的低成本环境监测。 SEM测量将使新材料的微观和纳米级特征进行成像。 EDX测量值将实现大量组成的确定，并且数字X射线映射特征使催化剂层或传感器表面内的元素分布可视化。这些测量将使我们能够了解组成和形态如何影响性能并指导更好的设备的设计。该设备不仅可以帮助维持我们现有的研究计划，而且还可以实现新的和令人兴奋的研究方向。从这项工作中提出的将有助于增强加拿大在高级材料，清洁能源和环境监测技术方面的竞争力。