Field emission scanning electron microscope for green energy, bio-composites, and nanotechnology research

本提案的目的是请求提供资金，用于购买一台具有能量色散X射线光谱仪能力的场发射扫描电子显微镜。所要求的仪器预期分辨率优于2 nm，能够分辨小于10 nm的物体。EDX可以识别样品的元素组成。目前，只有一个FESEM为滑铁卢大学（UW）的约1000名教职员工提供服务。这就造成了现有文书过于拥挤的局面。每个研究小组每周的工具时间限制为6小时。这对华盛顿大学的科研工作的数量和质量造成了毁灭性的限制。需要一个额外的FESEM，因为它对维持UW的研究至关重要。为了突出这个FESEM请求的重要性和迫切性，一群UW教职员工和化学工程系联合起来，提供8.5万美元作为该仪器的配套资金。此外，化学工程署亦会提供额外拨款，以支付安装该机电工程署机电一些可以立即受益于新仪器的项目包括但不限于太阳能电池、高功率燃料电池、高效电池、先进药物输送、柔性电子、纳米线、纳米管、纳米流体设备、纳米多孔和磁性薄膜、先进化学催化剂、自旋电子学和汽车工业的生物复合材料。

The intent of this proposal is to request funding for the purchase of a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) with an Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy capability. The requested instrument expected to have resolution better than 2 nm and capable to resolve objects smaller than 10 nm. The EDX can identify the elemental composition of the specimens. Currently, there is only one FESEM serving ~1000 faculty member at the University of Waterloo (UW). This creates an overcrowded situation on the existing instrument. Each research group has been limited to 6 hour of tool time each week. This posts a devastating constrain on the quantity and quality of scientific research work produced at UW. An additional FESEM is needed because it is extremely critical for maintaining research at UW. To highlight the importance and desperation for this FESEM request, a group of UW faculty members and the Chemical Engineering Department banded together to provide $85k as matching fund for this instrument. The Chemical Engineering Department will also provide additional funds for the installation costs of this FESEM. Some of the projects that can benefit from the new instruments immediately include but are not limited to solar cells, high power fuel cells, high efficiency batteries, advanced drug delivery, flexible electronics, nanowires, nanotubes, nano-fluidic devices, nano-porous and magnetic thin films, advanced chemical catalyst, spintronics, and bio-composites for the automotive industry.