MRI: Acquisition of comprehensive x-ray scattering system for in situ studies

这项主要研究仪器奖是针对一个全面的x射线散射系统，它将改变加利福尼亚中央山谷的研究、教育和推广活动。这种最先进的仪器是加州大学戴维斯分校先进材料表征和测试实验室的旗舰工具，满足了来自当地社区学院、研究机构、国家实验室和行业的广泛用户的需求。研究先进材料的原子结构及其在外力作用下的演变，使这些研究人员能够设计出解决信息技术、可再生能源和环境领域紧迫问题的新材料。此外，该仪器的使用为来自代表性不足群体的本科生和研究生创造了参与前沿研究的机会，并将通过提供实践学习经验和将突破性研究成果纳入课程，使科学和工程课程现代化。这些活动是提高学生留存率和促进对科学技术职业兴趣的关键，特别是在代表性不足的少数民族、女性和第一代大学生中。该系统支持的主要研究领域包括量子材料、能量转换/存储材料、非晶材料和生物材料。这种多功能系统具有高分辨率x射线衍射，x射线反射率，互反空间图和小/广角x射线散射测量应用于粉末，薄膜和纳米材料的测量能力。此外，该系统拥有现场能力，包括温度和环境控制的样品阶段，以及足够大的外壳，以支持电场和激光照明应用的辅助设备。这些特征与以下主题直接相关：(a)量子材料的磁性、电子和结构性质之间的相互作用，(b)用于能量转换/存储器件的无机纳米颗粒的合成、表征和理论分析，(c)催化剂的结构分析和结构-催化性质关系的建立，(d)生物传感器薄膜的无序、缺陷和分子结构，(e)极端条件下的材料，(f)界面和生物地球化学过程，这对环境中污染物的运输至关重要。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 Award is for a comprehensive x-ray scattering system, which will transform the research, educational, and outreach activities across California’s Central Valley. This state-of-the-art instrument serves as a flagship tool for the Advanced Materials Characterization and Testing Laboratory at the University of California, Davis, addressing the needs of a broad range of users from local community colleges, research institutions, national laboratories, and industry. The study of the atomic structure of advanced materials as well as their evolution upon exposure to external forces enables these researchers to design new materials that solve pressing problems in the information technology, renewable energy, and environment sectors. Furthermore, access to this instrument creates opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students from underrepresented groups to participate in cutting-edge research and will modernize the science and engineering curricula by providing hands-on learning experiences and incorporating groundbreaking research results into coursework. These activities are key to bolstering student retention and promoting interest in science and technology careers, particularly among underrepresented minorities, women, and first-generation college students. Major research areas enabled by this system include quantum materials, energy conversion/storage materials, amorphous materials, and biomaterials. This versatile system has measurement capabilities for high-resolution x-ray diffraction, x-ray reflectivity, reciprocal space maps, and small/wide angle x-ray scattering measurements applied to powders, thin films, and nanomaterials. Moreover, the system hosts in situ capabilities consisting of temperature and environment-controlled sample stages, and an enclosure large enough to support ancillary equipment for the application of electric fields and laser illumination. These features are directly relevant to topics such as (a) the interplay between magnetic, electronic, and structural properties of quantum materials, (b) synthesis, characterization, and theoretical analysis of inorganic nanoparticles for energy conversion/storage devices, (c) structural analysis of catalysts and establishment of structure-catalytic properties relationships, (d) disorder, defects, and molecular structure of thin films for biosensors, (e) materials under extreme conditions, and (f) interfacial and bio-geo-chemical processes, which are critical to the transport of contaminants in the environment.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.