MRI: Development of Next Generation Hydrothermal Atomic Force Microscopy

这项主要研究仪器（MRI）计划拨款支持原子力显微镜（AFM）的开发，该显微镜能够在前所未有的温度和压力（高达200摄氏度和20巴）的水热条件下对水溶液中的矿物溶解和生长进行原位成像，并将通过新的扫描探针尖端设计推进分子尺度成像能力。该技术的发展建立在先前成功的热液电池AFM （HAFM）的基础上，该技术已被证明能够在更有限的P/T条件下（P = 12 bar; T = 150℃）想象溶液中的矿物表面过程。所谓的下一代HAFM （ngHAFM）应该可以实现更高的P/T空间，这将允许研究水热条件下铝硅酸盐和其他难熔相在水溶液中的溶解过程，以及观察任何新的脆弱矿物表面过度生长相的沉淀，因为溶解和矿化动力学应该足够快，以实现稳定的AFM成像来观察这些过程。该技术应应用于研究寄主岩石的脱矿和地下二氧化碳封存的矿化后果、矿物提取过程的研究、极端条件下太阳能电池板光伏材料的鲁棒性表征以及材料腐蚀过程的研究。该开发将涉及学术机构（怀俄明大学）和商业部门合作伙伴（庇护研究）之间的合作，并将培训一名仪器设计、制造和测试方面的博士后研究员。这个开发项目产生的专利技术的潜力是巨大的

1429545EgglestonThis Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program grant supports the development of an atomic force microscope (AFM) capable of in situ imaging of mineral dissolution and growth in aqueous solutions at unprecedented hydrothermal conditions of temperature and pressure (up to 200 degrees C and 20 bars) and will advance molecular-scale imaging capabilities afforded through new scanning probe tip design. The development builds upon a previously successful hydrothermal cell AFM (HAFM) that has the proven capabilities to imagine mineral surface processes in solution but at more limited P/T conditions (P = 12 bars; T = 150 degrees C). The higher P/T space that should be achievable with a so-called next generation HAFM (ngHAFM) will allow for study of the processes of dissolution of aluminosilicates and other refractory phases in aqueous solution under hydrothermal conditions as well as observation of any precipitation of new fragile mineral surface overgrowth phases given that dissolution and mineralization kinetics should be rapid enough to achieve stable AFM imaging to observe these processes. Application to study of host rock demineralization and mineralization consequences of subsurface carbon dioxide sequestration, study of mineral extraction processes, characterization of the robustness of solar panel photovoltaic materials under extreme conditions and studies of material corrosion processes should be advanced by this technology. The development will engage collaboration between an academic institution (the University of Wyoming) and a commercial sector partner (Asylum Research) and will train a postdoctoral researcher in instrument design, fabrication and testing. The potential for patentable technology resultant from this development project is significant.***