In situ Transmission Electron Microscope Nanoindenter and Tribometer

随着纳米材料和纳米尺度现象在现代技术应用中的重要性日益提高，纳米力学测试方法已成为材料研究的重要组成部分。原位透射电子显微镜（TEM）已经发展到可以同时进行全仪器化纳米力学测试的水平，为研究纳米尺度下材料的基本变形机制提供了独特的机会。眼见为实，例如，可以进行原位TEM测试来研究位错的动态行为及其与其他缺陷（如孪晶、晶粒或相界）的相互作用，同时进行这些观察，也可以记录载荷和深度，这是使用任何传统技术都无法获得的。到目前为止，大多数原位TEM研究都集中在纯金属等传统材料上，研究其准静态特性，例如模量和强度。人们对它们的其他纳米级力学行为知之甚少，例如断裂、蠕变、疲劳、摩擦和磨损，这些在现实应用中至关重要。此外，原位透射电镜研究可能会对各种新兴材料的变形机制产生新的见解，包括高熵合金（HEAs）、二维材料、能源材料和生物基材料。在这个应用中，我们的团队需要一个原位TEM压头和摩擦计系统，以便在原位TEM实验中动态获取定量力学和成像数据。该仪器对于支持五个nserc资助的研究项目至关重要，包括以下项目：(1)HEAs的纳米尺度变形和磨损行为；(2)二维材料的纳米力学可靠性；(3)储能材料的纳米尺度力学行为。该团队包括两名申请人和12名合作者，由学术专长、文化背景和职业阶段的研究人员组成，包括平衡的性别代表性。其中，申请人和3名合作者均为早期职业研究人员。在团队组成和HQP培训中充分考虑包容性、多样性和性别平等。所要求的设备将提供独特的机会，立即培训20多名高素质人员（HQP），并在未来五年内培训60多名高素质人员。所要求的设备不仅对拟议的研究至关重要，而且对许多其他nserc资助的与先进材料、力学和表征相关的研究项目也有广泛的应用。到目前为止，安大略还没有原位TEM压头和摩擦计。所要求的仪器将安装在多伦多大学的中央基础设施-安大略省先进材料表征中心（OCCAM），并向加拿大的所有用户开放。它将为加拿大的许多研究团体和工业伙伴带来新的合作机会。

Methods for nanomechanical testing have become a critical part of materials research, with the ever-increasing importance of nanomaterials and nanoscale phenomena in modern technological applications. In situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has evolved to a level where fully instrumented nanomechanical tests can be performed simultaneously, providing unique opportunities for studying fundamental deformation mechanisms in materials at the nanoscale. Seeing is believing, for instance, in situ TEM testing can be performed to investigate the dynamic behaviour of dislocations and their interactions with other defects such as twin, grain or phase boundaries, while these observations are being made, the load and depth can also be recorded, which cannot be obtained using any conventional technique. So far, most in situ TEM studies have focused on conventional materials such as pure metals to study their quasi-static properties, for example, modulus and strength. There is little understanding of their other nanoscale mechanical behaviour, for example, fracture, creep, fatigue, friction and wear, which are critical in realistic applications. Furthermore, in situ TEM studies may lead to new insights into the deformation mechanisms of a wide range of emerging materials, including high-entropy alloys (HEAs), 2D materials, energy materials, and bio-based materials. In this application, our team requests an in situ TEM indenter and tribometer system for dynamically acquiring quantitative mechanical and imaging data during in situ TEM experiments. The instrument is essential for supporting five NSERC-funded research programs, including the following projects: (1) Nanoscale deformation and wear behaviour of HEAs; (2) Nanoscale mechanical reliability of 2D materials; (3) Nanoscale mechanical behaviour of energy storage materials. The team includes two applicants and 12 collaborators, comprised of researchers spanning a range of academic expertise, cultural backgrounds, and career stages, including balanced gender representation. Among them, the applicant and three collaborators are early career researchers. Inclusion, diversity, and gender equity are fully considered in team composition and HQP training. The requested equipment will provide unique opportunities to train more than 20 highly qualified personnel (HQP) immediately and over 60 HQP in the next five years. The requested equipment is not only vital to the proposed research, but it also has versatile applications for many other NSERC-funded research programs related to advanced materials, mechanics and characterization. Up to now, there has been no in situ TEM indenter and tribometer in Ontario. The requested instrument will be installed in a U of T's central infrastructure - Ontario Centre for the Characterisation of Advanced Materials (OCCAM) and open to all the users in Canada. It will bring new collaborative opportunities for many research groups and industrial partners in Canada.