MRI: Acquisition of a Powder X-ray Diffractometer for Nanotechnology and Energy Research and Teaching

在主要研究仪器计划（MRI）的奖励和化学研究仪器计划（CRIF）的支持下，来自韦恩州立大学的Judy Westrick教授和同事Stephanie Brock，Ratna Naik，Eranda Nikolla和Charles Winter将获得一台X射线衍射仪用于粉末样品的研究。一般来说，X射线衍射仪允许准确和精确地测量分子的完整三维结构，包括键距和角度，并提供关于分子相对于相邻分子的空间排列的准确信息。粉末衍射仪也可以进行成分分析。这里描述的研究将影响许多领域，包括有机和无机化学，材料化学和生物化学。该仪器将成为化学、物理、工程和材料科学专业学生教学、研究和研究培训的一个组成部分，旨在加强各级研究和教育，特别是在以下领域：（a）了解具有磁性和催化功能的纳米级过渡金属磷化物和砷化物的结构-功能-尺寸关系;（B）制备在能源和环境中应用的固态器件;（c）研究尺寸对MnAs相变温度的影响;（d）开发和生长薄膜;（e）开发用于生物质转化的多相催化剂和电催化剂;（f）研究用于生物质转化的多相催化剂;（g）开发锂空气电池的多功能电极;（h）建立原位XRD在电池材料表征中的应用;以及（i）研究多铁性转变时的晶格变形。

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) and support from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation Program (CRIF), Professor Judy Westrick from Wayne State University and colleagues Stephanie Brock, Ratna Naik, Eranda Nikolla and Charles Winter will acquire an X-ray diffractometer for the study of powdered samples. In general, an X-ray diffractometer allows accurate and precise measurements of the full three-dimensional structure of a molecule, including bond distances and angles, and provides accurate information about the spatial arrangement of a molecule relative to neighboring molecules. A powder diffractometer also allows compositional analysis. The studies described here will impact a number of areas, including organic and inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry and biochemistry. This instrument will be an integral part of teaching as well as research and research training of chemistry, physics and engineering and materials science students.The award is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels, especially in areas such as (a) understanding structure-function-size relationships in nanoscale transition metal phosphides and arsenides with magnetic and catalytic functionality; (b) preparing solid-state devices with applications in energy and the environment; (c) studying the effect of size on the phase-transformation temperature of MnAs; (d) developing and growing of thin films; (e) developing heterogeneous catalysts for biomass conversion and electrocatalysts; (f) studying heterogeneous catalyst for biomass conversion; (g) developing multifunctional electrodes for Li-air batteries; (h) establishing applications of in-situ XRD for battery materials characterization; and (i) investigating lattice deformations at multiferroic transitions.