Desktop scanning electron microscope for examination of materials undergoing various processes

台式扫描电子显微镜（SEM）是要求我们在不同的项目和NSERC DG研究计划的不同材料的研究。这台设备对我和我系里的同事们的研究将有很大的用处。桌面SEM将使我们能够研究和可视化我们正在研究的不同材料的结构，并开发数学模型，方法和技术。在我的案例中，SEM将用于研究热处理过程对作物生物量物理方面的影响。这对我们来说非常重要，因为我们正在使用电子技术，使用微波（MW）和射频（RF）能量在生物材料内产生体积热量，这与经典的热传递场景不同，其中热量从外部热源传递到材料。SEM将帮助我们解决介电加热对不同生物质物理结构的影响的知识缺口，因为材料的介电特性随着水分含量的降低而随时间变化。SEM将有助于可视化和量化物理变化，这些数据将有助于开发数学模型，准确描述不同材料的加热和干燥过程，这将有助于开发MW和RF加热的控制策略。SEM对于我目前的项目也将是非常宝贵的，这些项目包括使用MW辅助热解从农业残留物中生产高质量生物炭，以及优化大麻和亚麻的脱胶以获得高质量纤维，以及未来计划的水热炭生产工作。我的部门和教师的同事也非常需要SEM，因为他们的工作涉及从植物材料中提取成分，用于开发强化食品的封装，纳米材料和生物聚合物的生产，以及对有和没有生物炭的土壤的研究。对这种设备的需求继续增长，因为这种技术，特别是台式设备，能够迅速及时地提供信息，帮助调查人员了解正在研究和发展的进程，并加快研究的步伐。

A desktop scanning electron microscope (SEM) is requested for our studies on different materials in different projects and NSERC DG research programs. This equipment will be of great use in my research and that of my colleagues in my department and faculty. The desktop SEM will allow us to investigate and visualize the structure of different materials that we are working on, and to develop mathematical models, methods, and technologies. In my case, the SEM will be used to study the effects of heat treatment processes on the physical aspects of crop biomass during the process. This is very important to us since we are working with electro- technologies that use microwave (MW) and radio frequency (RF) energy to generate heat volumetrically within the biomaterial, which is different from the classic heat transfer scenario where heat is transferred from an external heat source to the material. The SEM will help us to address a knowledge gap on the effect of dielectric heating on the physical structures of different biomasses being heat since the dielectric properties of the material changes over time as moisture content decreases. The SEM will help to visualize and quantify physical changes and this data will be useful in developing mathematical models that accurately describe the heating and drying process within different materials that will be useful in developing control strategies for heating with MW and RF. The SEM will also be invaluable for my current projects into production of high quality biochar from agricultural residues using MW-assisted pyrolysis, and optimization of retting of hemp and flax to obtain high quality fibers, and for future planned work into production of hydrochar. Colleagues in my department and faculty also have much need for an SEM for their work on extraction of components from plant materials, encapsulation for development of fortified food products, production of nanomaterials and biopolymers, and studies on soils with and without biochar. The demand for this equipment continues to grow since this technology, and specifically a desktop model, provides information in a rapid and timely manner that helps investigators to understand the process being studied and developed, and facilitates the pace of research.