MRI: Development of a 100 kHz, Ultrafast Interfacial-Specific Two-Dimensional Vibrational Spectromicroscope

该奖项由主要研究仪器（MRI）和化学研究仪器（CRIF）项目支持。来自加州大学圣地亚哥分校的熊伟教授及其同事Vicki Grassian， Neal Devaraj和刘平开发了一种超快的一维/二维和频率生成（1D/2D SFG）光谱显微镜。显微镜用激光探测样品。这就产生了显微镜观察到的信号（或图像）。光谱图像提供了样品的物理和化学性质的信息。它被用来探测界面，例如，气溶胶颗粒的表面。另一个用途是研究水在密闭空间中的结构，例如在水净化材料中。它被用来精确定位发生冰核的区域。人工视网膜和可穿戴太阳能电池的开发是该仪器的应用领域。对这些过程和其他过程的调查可以更好地了解如何改进它们或改善不当后果。研究生参与仪器的开发和应用，接受商业仪器公司所要求的重要技能培训。该仪器用于各种调查。人们正在研究水净化材料。正在探索储能装置（如锂电池）的电化学界面。气溶胶表面正在受到关注，以了解形成机制。具有非均匀表面的材料可以用显微镜更好地理解，例如生物原纤维。它被用于研究人工细胞和神经网络。加州大学欧文分校（University of California, Irvine）和斯佩尔曼学院（Spelman College）的研究人员有使用该仪器的项目。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This award is supported by the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) and the Chemistry Research Instrumentation (CRIF) Programs. Professor Wei Xiong from University of California San Diego and colleagues Vicki Grassian, Neal Devaraj and Ping Liu have developed an ultrafast, one-dimensional/two-dimensional sum frequency generation (1D/2D SFG) spectromicroscope. The microscope employs a laser to probe a sample. This produces a signal (or image) observed by the microscope. The spectral image provides information on the physical and chemical properties of the sample. It is used to probe interfaces, for example, the surface of aerosol particles. Another use is to study the structure of water in confined spaces such as in water purification materials. It is used to pinpoint domains where ice nucleation occurs. Development of artificial retinas and wearable solar cells are applications which can benefit from this instrument. Investigation of these and other processes leads to a better understanding of how to improve them or ameliorate undue consequences. Graduate students are involved with development and application of the instrument, receiving training in an important skill sought by commercial instrument firms. The instrument is used in a variety of investigations. Water purification materials are being studied. The electrochemical interface of energy storage devices (for example, lithium batteries) is being explored. Aerosols surfaces are receiving attention to understand formation mechanisms. Materials which have heterogeneous surfaces are better understood using the microscope, for example biological fibrils. It is being used to study artificial cells and neural networks. Investigators at the University of California, Irvine and Spelman College have projects using the instrument.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.