MRI: Acquisition of an advanced scanning electron microscope for in situ and in operando materials characterization and education

该主要研究仪器为德雷塞尔大学提供了最先进的扫描电子显微镜（SEM），用于先进的成像和分析。该仪器放置在材料表征核心（MCC）共享仪器设施中，为成像和分析提供全方位的性能。扫描电镜取代了过时的仪器，并为广泛的用户群提高了研究成果，包括德雷塞尔大学的40多个研究小组和附近大学和企业的一些用户。该仪器使德雷塞尔大学的研究人员受益匪浅，并促进了德雷塞尔大学与附近的维拉诺瓦大学、天普大学和罗文大学等机构之间的合作。除了由拟议的SEM启用的多功能研究活动外，新的SEM大大增强了德雷克塞尔的教育和培训经验。扫描电镜被安置在一个拥有全职技术人员的成熟核心设施中，并由其管理，拥有15年的主要仪器管理记录。MCC促进用户的技术培训，使他们成为熟练和独立的用户，并与大学的学术单位合作，为本科生和研究生提供融入课程课程的实践经验。它为MCC和学术单位赞助的外展计划做出贡献，向年轻人介绍纳米科学、工程和技术研究。最先进的扫描电子显微镜（SEM）的收购显著增强了Drexel强大的原位电子显微镜能力，并有助于加速/促进四个关键领域的研究和教育活动：(1)用于能源和可持续发展的新材料- SEM中的温度控制和操作电化学驱动新材料，材料系统和结构的发现，以优化下一代电池技术。(2)先进的机械性能表征-在受控温度下进行现场机械测试，结合高分辨率成像和化学制图，以促进对新型层状晶体固体和生物材料变形机制的理解。(3)工程软材料和生物材料-高空间分辨率化学制图和低电流，低真空成像，以扩大对无液体保形聚合物涂层的研究，并使罕见的，历史的微观化石硅藻的特征和分类分类成为可能。受控温度下的原位力学测试将促进新型粘合剂、聚合物纳米复合材料和水凝胶的发展。(4)先进电子材料——原位加热阶段与绝缘样品的无电荷成像相结合，将使设计复杂氧化物异质结构的新实验成为可能。同样，原位加热将推动理解和设计新型量子材料和器件的有效制造工艺的努力。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 Major Research Instrumentation supports Drexel University with the acquisition of a state-of-the-art scanning electron microscope (SEM) designed for advanced imaging and analysis. The instrument placed in the Materials Characterization Core (MCC) shared-instrumentation facility provides all-around performance for imaging and analysis. The SEM replaces an outdated instrument and enhances research outcomes for a broad user base including over 40 research groups at Drexel and several users from nearby universities and businesses. The instrument significantly benefits researchers at Drexel University and promotes collaboration between Drexel and nearby institutions such as Villanova University, Temple University, and Rowan University. In addition to the versatile research activities enabled by the proposed SEM, the new SEM enhances Drexel’s education and training experience considerably. The SEM is housed in and managed by an established core facility with full-time technical staff, with 15-year record for excellent stewardship of major instrumentation. The MCC promotes technical training of users such that they become proficient and independent users and partners with the University’s academic units to provide undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on experiences integrated into course curricula. It contributes to the outreach program sponsored by the MCC and academic units to introduce young people to nanoscience, engineering, and technological research.The acquisition of a state-of-the-art scanning electron microscope (SEM) significantly strengthens the strong in situ electron microscopy capability at Drexel, and helps accelerate/facilitate research and educational activities in four critical areas: (1) New Materials for Energy and Sustainability – Temperature control and in operando electrochemistry in the SEM drive the discovery of new materials, materials systems, and structures to optimize next-generation battery technologies. (2) Advanced Mechanical Property Characterization – In situ mechanical testing at controlled temperatures combined with high-resolution imaging and chemical mapping to advance understanding of deformation mechanisms in novel layered crystalline solids and biomaterials. (3) Engineering Soft Materials and Biomaterials – High spatial resolution chemical mapping and low-current, low-vacuum imaging to expand research into liquid-free conformal polymer coatings and enable characterization and taxonomic classification of rare, historic collections of microscopic, fossilized diatoms. In situ mechanical testing at controlled temperatures will advance the development of new adhesives, polymer nanocomposites, and hydrogels. (4) Advanced Electronic Materials – In situ heating stages combined with charge-free imaging of insulating samples will enable new experiments on complex oxide heterostructures designed. Similarly, in situ heating will advance efforts to understand and design efficient fabrication processes for novel quantum materials and devices.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.