MRI: Acquisition of a Scanning X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Microprobe for Fundamental and Applied Materials Research, Education, and Outreach

这项重大研究仪器奖支持收购扫描X射线光电子能谱（XPS）微探针，以服务于德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校的大型科学家社区。XPS是一种基于光电效应的表面敏感技术，可以对材料进行空间和深度分辨的表面化学表征。XPS数据对于理解新型材料的结构、性能、加工和功能行为之间的关系具有重要意义。纳米科学和纳米技术的进步取决于对这种认识的发展。该仪器的先进功能将对德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校的研究和教育计划产生深远的影响。它将使下一代材料研究，特别是可再生能源，催化，电子，环境科学和健康。XPS将作为美国南部大学和工业先进材料远程控制研究的卓越研究设施，并加强涉及不同院系的中心级研究活动的使命。该仪器促成的研究将通过提供具有最先进和易于获得的仪器的必要研究基础，促进初创公司的创建。这一工具还将对从研究生到教师的下一代科学家的教育和培训产生重大影响。该仪器还将被纳入涉及K-12计划、社区大学学生和教师以及公众的推广活动中。获得具有多项独特先进功能的多功能高性能XPS将允许使用补充技术（如俄歇光谱和反射电子能量损失光谱）进行分析测量，并对化学敏感材料进行深入分析。该仪器具有高灵敏度、优异的微区光谱性能、快速获取成像XPS数据、对绝缘样品进行有效的电荷补偿、优异的角分辨率、易于识别感兴趣区域以及具有主动控制能力的完全远程访问。这将使材料科学与工程，纳米科学和纳米技术领域的广泛前沿研究和发现成为可能，包括开发低成本，高效的太阳能电池材料，运输和电网存储电池，太阳能-燃料转换，燃料电池，催化剂，低维材料，纳米电子学，增材制造，制药，药物输送，以及水的净化和收集。因此，这些能力将有助于广泛的研究和教育活动的发展，包括由UT-奥斯汀的主要中心支持的活动，如NSF-MRSEC材料动力学和控制中心，NSF-ERC移动的计算和能源技术纳米制造系统，以及NSF-ERC烷烃资源创新和战略转型中心。该奖项反映了NSF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 award supports the acquisition of a scanning X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) microprobe to serve a large community of scientists at the University of Texas at Austin. XPS is a surface sensitive technique based on the photoelectric effect that can enable spatially- and depth-resolved surface chemical characterization of materials. XPS data is of great importance to the understanding the relationship between structure, properties, processing, and functional behavior of novel materials. Advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology hinge on developing such an understanding. The advanced capabilities of this instrument will have a profound impact on the research and educational programs at the University of Texas at Austin. It will enable next-generation materials research, especially for renewable energy, catalysis, electronics, environmental sciences, and health. The XPS will serve as a research facility of excellence for remotely controlled studies of advanced materials for southern US universities and industries and enhance the mission of center-level research activities involving a diverse set of faculties. Research enabled by the instrument will foster the creation of start-up companies by providing the necessary research base with state-of-the-art and easily accessible instrumentation. This instrument will also have a strong impact on the education and training of the next generation of scientists from graduate students to faculty. The instrument will also be incorporated into outreach activities that involve K-12 programs, community college students and teachers, and the general public.The acquisition of a versatile and high-performance XPS with several unique, state-of-the-art features will allow analytical measurements with complementary techniques (such as Auger spectroscopy and reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy) and in-depth analysis of chemically sensitive materials. The instrument has high sensitivity, excellent micro-area spectroscopy performance, fast acquisition of imaging XPS data, effective charge compensation on insulating samples, excellent angular resolution, and facile identification of regions of interests, as well as full remote access with active control capability. This will enable a wide range of forefront research and discovery in the area of materials science and engineering, nanoscience, and nanotechnology, including the development of low-cost, efficient materials for solar cells, batteries for transportation and grid storage, solar-to-fuel conversion, fuel cells, catalysts, low-dimensional materials, nano-electronics, additive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, drug delivery, as well as water purification and harvesting. These capabilities will thus contribute to the development of a broad range of research and educational activities, including those supported by major centers at UT-Austin, such as the NSF-MRSEC Center for Dynamics and Control of Materials, the NSF-ERC Nanomanufacturing Systems for Mobile Computing and Energy Technologies, and the NSF-ERC Center for Innovative and Strategic Transformation of Alkane Resources. This will create vibrant synergies among UT-Austin’s diverse research, training, and educational enterprise.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.