Acquisition of a spectrophotometer for materials development

我们请求资金购买一台分光光度计，其功能从紫外线到光学到近红外区域。该设备测量光通过材料的透射率和材料的反射率，作为光的波长的函数。我们将使用该设备来表征和开发用于大规模成像应用的新的高性能玻璃。 用于该应用的玻璃必须对温度和应力的环境波动非常不敏感，传统上通过使用具有非常高的铅含量的玻璃来满足该目标。这种玻璃及其制造具有重大的环境风险，我们正在开发无铅替代品。拟议的仪器将是必不可少的，在表征和优化这些材料。此外，该分光光度计将与电化学测量相结合，以检查和阐明当系统长时间处于充电状态时超级电容器中发生的自放电机制。 由于超级电容器是储能市场的一个很好的选择（在这个日益提高的能源意识的社会中，这是一个非常重要的点），但受到这种自放电的限制，这项研究对于防止/克服自放电至关重要。这两个项目都将产生高附加值的材料，并将产生重要的知识产权。两者都将扩大对复杂和局部材料系统的科学理解。加拿大将从所产生的成果中以及从长期来看，将从接受该仪器和拟议研究方案培训的高素质人员中获得科学收益。加拿大还将从高技术产业和能源部门开发的知识产权和材料中获得经济利益。

We request funds to purchase a spectrophotometer with capabilities extending from the ultraviolet through the optical into the near infrared regions. This device measures the transmission of light through, and reflectance from, a material, as a function of the wavelength of the light. We will use this device to characterize and develop new high performance glasses for use in large scale imaging applications.  Glass for this application must be extraordinarily insensitive to environmental fluctuations of temperature and stress, and traditionally this goal has been met by using glass with very high lead content. Such glasses and their manufacture have significant environmental risks, and we are developing lead-free alternatives. The proposed instrument will be essential in characterizing and optimizing these materials. Additionally, this spectrophotometer will be coupled with electrochemical measurements to examine and elucidate the mechanism of self-discharge which occurs in supercapacitors when the system is left for prolonged periods in the charged state.  Since supercapacitors are an excellent option for the energy-storage market (a very important point in this ever-increasingly energy conscious society), but are limited by this self-discharge, this study will be vital in preventing/overcoming self-discharge. Both projects will lead to high valued-added materials and will generate significant intellectual property. Both will also expand scientific understanding of complex and topical materials systems. Canada will benefit scientifically both from the results generated and in the longer term from the highly qualified personnel that will be trained on this instrument and on the proposed research programs. Canada will also benefit economically from the intellectual property developed and from the materials developed both in the high technology industry and in the energy sector.