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.

这项提议寻求获得一种新的扫描电子显微镜(SEM)系统，这是取代不再起作用的旧系统所急需的。扫描电子显微镜是研究新材料最有用、用途最广的仪器之一，它能够对样品的形态和结构进行成像，从而使样品的微/纳米尺度特征与材料的功能相关。此外，当配备能量色散X射线(EDX)探测器时，可以通过X射线荧光来确定样品的原子组成。 扫描电子显微镜系统将用于表征清洁能源和环境传感技术的新型先进材料。具体地说，该仪器将用于确定新燃料电池电极材料的结构-性能关系。燃料电池技术通过将氢燃料转化为电和水来提供清洁能源。只要材料的性价比和耐用性都能得到改善，它们就有可能在能源领域得到更广泛的应用。所支持的研究计划侧重于新电极材料的合成和评估，这些材料可以克服许多这些问题。 此外，扫描电子显微镜系统还将用于表征一种新的离子传感设备，这种设备可以快速用于金属监测水中的安全壳。这种设备有可能被部署为对废物和清洁水源的低成本环境监测。 扫描电子显微镜测量将使新材料的微米和纳米级特征成像成为可能。EDX测量将使主体成分测定成为可能，数字X射线测绘功能将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貌如何影响性能，并指导更好的器件设计。这种设备不仅将有助于维持我们现有的研究计划，还将使新的和令人兴奋的研究方向成为可能。这项工作的进展将有助于加强加拿大在先进材料、清洁能源和环境监测技术方面的竞争力。