Advances in Data Driven Quantitative Materials Characterisation

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In this programme of work, my team and I will develop new tools and approaches to understand the microstructure in advanced materials used in clean energy applications. Advances in characterisation are essential for the effective and timely development of engineering materials, and this enables us to have a direct link between the manufacture of materials and their long-term performance in high value, high risk, and societally useful applications. These tools will be developed through the solving of challenges posed by high tech industries where I have established collaborations and expertise, e.g. developing lightweight alloys for lower CO2 aerospace applications; longer lasting and safer materials for nuclear reactors; and quantifying the next generation of additive manufactured alloys and optimising manufacturing routes. To achieve this, I am going to lead my team in the development of new microstructural characterisation tools, including sparse data collection, correlative microscopy and new modes of imaging in two and three dimensions. Advances in two-dimensional characterisation will involve the development and use of direct electron detectors for STEM and SEM and diffraction pattern based microstructural imaging and characterisation. These will be supplemented through the use of correlative approaches to combine other microstructural signals, e.g. energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), to provide chemical and structural information and increase the contrast of each measurement point. We will further their use also via direct control of the electron beam, to enable us to sample large areas quickly and efficiently, e.g. via sampling of one point per microstructural domain, as well as using data science tools (including local clustering algorithms, such as principal component analysis) to maximise the signal to noise for very small precipitates. Recent investment at UBC, via a CFI IF project, will enable me to develop these techniques for full 3D characterisations using the high volume pFIB instrument. My new tools are well suited towards the characterisation of metals and ceramics, which have direct and clear use in our low carbon future (e.g. future light weight aerospace applications, hydrogen transport networks, more efficient manufacturing routes) and they also have potential to be applied to a wide range of other material systems. In the clean energy space, I am excited to work with partners to develop our approaches to explore solar cell materials, including perovskites, as well as geomaterials where we need to have understanding of the structure and phase transformations in future CO2 storage reservoirs and minerals found in sites where development of geothermal energy systems will be developed.