Scanning Electron Microscope for Research on Meso- and Nano-Materials, Interfaces, Photovoltaics, Porous Materials, Analytical Devices and Metal Electro-dissolution

扫描电子显微镜(SEM)是用于材料分析、表征和成像的最通用的工具之一。在皇后学院七(7)个化学实验室进行的材料、界面、电催化、光伏、金属泡沫、分析设备和腐蚀方面的研究需要每天使用扫描电子显微镜。它在我们的部门中不存在，并且现有的校园范围内使用的扫描电子显微镜已有20多年的历史，经常出现故障，并且提供的能力有限。所要求的扫描电子显微镜是用户友好的，将提供常规分析和专门分析。它将被用来分析各种样品，例如：(I)用于充电电池和碱性燃料电池的泡沫镍；(Ii)作为保护和装饰涂层的钛和锆电化学形成的有色层；(Iii)用于电催化研究的铂单晶；(Iv)激光烧蚀引起的固体材料的形态变化；(V)用于检测饮用水中的大肠杆菌的微观光纤设备；(Vi)用于电化学降解可溶污染物和将甘油转化为增值化学品的多孔材料；(Vii)具有独特结构和疏水性能的纳米结构共聚物；(Viii)基于微制造的波导型光学传感器和谐振器；(Ix)用于有机发光二极管(OLED)和聚合物太阳能电池的等离子体和富勒烯纳米材料；以及(X)微型化学分析和微流控设备。扫描电子显微镜将为我们正在进行的研究工作增添一个新的层面，并将扩大现有用于研究材料和纳米系统的基础设施，从而加强女王学院的纳米科学和纳米技术研究。它将促进几个NSERC和业界支持的项目，并增加我们获得额外研究资金的机会。它是一种理想的研究工具，将被三十(30)名HQP使用，他们将获得现代计量学和成像技术的实践经验。它的能力将在接下来的几年里通过增加EDS能力来扩大。通过使用扫描电子显微镜获得的独特经验和可转移的技能将增强他们对现代材料科学技术的知识。

A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is one of the most versatile tools used in materials analysis, characterization, and imaging. Research in materials, interfaces, electrocatalysis, photovoltaics, metallic foams, analytical devices and corrosion conducted in seven (7) chemistry laboratories at Queen's requires daily used of an SEM. It does not exist in our Department and an existing SEM for campus-wide usage is over twenty-years old, often malfunctions, and offers limited capabilities. The requested SEM is user-friendly and will serve both routine and specialized analyses. It will be used to analyze a variety of samples, such as: (i) nickel foams used in rechargeable batteries and alkaline fuel cells; (ii) electrochemically formed colored layers on Ti and Zr that serve as protective and decorative coatings; (iii) Pt single crystals used in electrocatalysis research; (iv) morphological changes in solid materials caused by laser ablation; (v) microscopic fiber-optical devices used to detect E-coli in potable waters; (vi) porous materials used in electrochemical degradation of soluble pollutants and conversion of glycerol into value-added chemicals; (vii) nano-structured copolymers having unique architectures and hydrophobic properties; (viii) micro-fabricated waveguide-based optical sensors and resonators; (ix) plasmonic and fullerene nanoscopic materials for application in organic light emitting diodes (OLED) and polymer solar cells; and (x) miniaturized chemical analysis and micro-fluidic devices. The SEM will add a new dimension to our on-going research efforts and will expand the existing infrastructure used to study materials and nanoscopic systems, thus strengthening nano-science and nano-technology research thrusts at Queen's. It will boost several NSERC and industry-supported projects and enhance our chances of securing additional research funding. It is an ideal research tool that will be used by over thirty (30) HQP, who will gain hands-on experience in modern metrology and imaging techniques. Its capabilities will be expanded in subsequent years by adding EDS capabilities. The unique experience and transferable skills acquired through the SEM use will enhance their knowledge of modern materials science techniques.