MRI: Acquisition of a State-of-Art X-Ray Diffraction System for Investigation of Nano/Micro/Bio-Materials and Devices

技术概述：奥本大学和塔斯基吉大学的研究活动已经转向纳米/微结构材料和器件，这需要一种能够表征薄膜和纹理材料的局部结构、取向和残余应力的仪器。该提案的目标是获得最先进的x射线衍射仪，以满足两个机构研究人员的多样化和迫切需求。特别是，该系统将产生一束x射线，可以聚焦到亚毫米光斑，以提供晶体结构和方向的空间分辨率。该系统配备了一个多线比例室面积检测器，可以同时检测强弱衍射特征。该系统软件能够分析二维衍射图、相识别、模式索引、纹理映射/极点图分析和应变/粒度分析。该系统还配备了一个高温阶段，能够在高达900°C的温度下进行XRD实验。拟议的仪器将影响各种各样的研究项目，总资助水平接近2500万美元，涉及80多名教职员工和250名学生/博士后。受新仪器影响的项目的一些例子包括用于能量收集和存储设备等应用的微/纳米机电系统（MEMS/NEMS）设备的开发。该项目还将影响与传感器开发有关的活动，以改善食品和运输行业的公共安全，以及清洁能源转换技术，包括开发用于延长固体氧化物燃料电池（SOFC）寿命的涂层材料和改进质子交换膜（PEM）燃料电池的催化剂。此外，x射线衍射是本科生和研究生实验室培训的一部分，因此该仪器也将加强奥本大学和塔斯基吉大学的教育计划。外行总结：奥本大学和塔斯基吉大学的研究活动已经转向纳米/微结构材料和器件，这需要一种能够表征薄膜和纹理材料中的局部结构、取向和残余应力的仪器。该提案的目标是获得最先进的x射线衍射仪，以满足两个机构研究人员的多样化和迫切需求。拟议的仪器将影响各种各样的研究项目，总资助水平接近2500万美元，涉及80多名教职员工和250名学生/博士后。受新仪器影响的项目的一些例子包括用于能量收集和存储设备等应用的微/纳米机电系统（MEMS/NEMS）设备的开发。该项目还将影响与传感器开发相关的活动，以改善食品（奥本大学检测和食品安全中心）和交通（FAA机舱环境研究卓越中心）行业的公共安全。该仪器将支持清洁能源转换技术，包括开发用于延长固体氧化物燃料电池（SOFC）寿命的涂层材料和改进质子交换膜（PEM）燃料电池的催化剂。此外，x射线衍射是本科生和研究生实验室培训的一部分，因此该仪器也将加强奥本大学和塔斯基吉大学的教育计划。

0923335ChengAuburn U.Technical Summary: The research activities at Auburn University and Tuskegee University have shifted toward nano-/micro-structured materials and devices, which requires an instrument capable of characterizing the local structure, orientation and residual stress in thin films and textured materials. The objective of this proposal is to acquire a state-of-the-art X-ray diffracto-meter to fulfill the diverse and urgent needs of researchers at both institutions. In particular, the proposed system will generate an X-ray beam that can be focused into a sub-millimeter spot to provide spatial resolution of crystal structure and orientation. The system is equipped with a multiwire proportional chamber area detector capability of detecting both strong and weak diffraction features. The system software is capable of analyzing the 2-D diffraction patterns, phase identification, pattern indexing, texture mapping/pole figure analysis and strain/particle size analysis. The system is also equipped with a high temperature stage capable to allow XRD experiments to be performed at temperatures up to 900°C. The proposed instrument will impact a wide variety of research projects with a total funding level of nearly $25M and involving more than 80 faculty members and 250 stu-dents/postdocs. Some examples of projects impacted by the new instrument include the development of micro/nano-electromechanical system (MEMS/NEMS) devices for applica-tions such as energy harvesting and memory devices. The project will also impact activities related to the development of sensors for improving public safety in both the food and transportation industries as well as clean energy conversion technology, including the development of coating materials for extending the life of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and improved catalysts for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. In addition, x-ray diffraction is part of the laboratory training at the undergraduate and graduate levels, so the instrument will also enhance the educational programs at Auburn and Tuskegee Universities.Layman Summary: The research activities at Auburn University and Tuskegee University have shifted toward nano-/micro-structured materials and devices, which requires an instrument capable of characterizing the local structure, orientation and residual stress in thin films and textured materials. The objective of this proposal is to acquire a state-of-the-art X-ray diffracto-meter to fulfill the diverse and urgent needs of researchers at both institutions. The proposed instrument will impact a wide variety of research projects with a total funding level of nearly $25M and involving more than 80 faculty members and 250 students/postdocs. Some examples of projects impacted by the new instrument include the development of micro/nano-electromechanical system (MEMS/NEMS) devices for applications such as energy harvesting and memory devices. The project will also impact activities related to the development of sensors for improving public safety in both the food (Auburn University Detection and Food Safety Center) and transportation (FAA Center of Excellence in Cabin Environment Research) industries. The instrument will support clean energy conversion technology, including the development of coating materials for extending the life of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and improved catalysts for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. In addition, x-ray diffraction is part of the laboratory training at the undergraduate and graduate levels, so the instrument will also enhance the educational programs at Auburn and Tuskegee Universities.