Replacement Scanning Electron Microscope for materials chemistry research

该提案旨在获得一个新的扫描电子显微镜系统，迫切需要取代不再运作的旧系统。SEM是研究新材料的最有用和最通用的仪器之一，可以对样品的形态和结构进行成像，从而使微/纳米尺度的特征与材料的功能相关。此外，当配备能量色散X射线（EDX）检测器时，可以通过X射线荧光测定样品的原子组成。 SEM系统将用于表征清洁能源和环境传感技术的新型先进材料。具体而言，该仪器将用于确定新燃料电池电极材料的结构-性能关系。燃料电池技术通过将氢燃料转化为电和水来提供清洁能源。它们有可能在能源领域得到更广泛的应用，前提是可以改善材料的性能成本比，以及它们的耐用性。支持的研究项目集中在可以克服许多这些问题的新电极材料的合成和评估上。 此外，SEM系统还将用于表征一类新的离子传感设备，这些设备可用于快速监测水中的金属污染。这种装置有可能作为低成本的环境监测手段，用于废物和清洁水源。 SEM测量将使新材料的微米和纳米尺度特征的成像成为可能。EDX测量将能够确定整体组成，数字X射线绘图功能能够可视化催化剂层或传感器表面内的元素分布。这些测量将使我们能够了解组成和形态如何影响性能，并指导更好的设备的设计。这些设备不仅有助于维持我们现有的研究计划，而且还可以实现新的和令人兴奋的研究方向。这项工作的进展将有助于加强加拿大在先进材料、清洁能源和环境监测技术方面的竞争力。

This proposal seeks to acquire a new scanning electron microscope (SEM) system, urgently needed to replace the old system that is no longer functioning. An SEM is one of the most useful and versatile instruments to study new materials, enabling imaging of the morphology and structure of sample, allowing micro/nano-scale features of be related to the function of the material. Furthermore, when equipped with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) detectors, the atomic composition of the sample can be determined by X-ray fluorescence. The SEM system will be used to characterize new advanced materials for clean energy and environmental sensing technologies. Specifically, the instrumentation will be used to determine structure-property relationships for new fuel cell electrodes materials. Fuel Cell technologies provide clean energy by converting hydrogen fuel into electricity and water. They have the potential to be more widely deployed in the energy landscape provided that improvements can be made in the performance-to-cost ratio of the materials, and also in their durability. The supported research programs are focused on synthesis and evaluation of new electrode materials that could overcome many of these issues. In addition, the SEM system will also be used to characterize a new class of ion sensing devices that can be used rapidly to metal monitor containment in water. Such devices have the potential to be deployed as low-cost environmental monitoring for both waste and clean water sources. SEM measurements will enable imaging of the micro and nano-scale features of the new materials. EDX measurements will enable bulk composition determination and the digital X-ray mapping feature enable visualization of the elemental distribution within the catalyst layer or sensor surface. These measurements will enable us to understand how composition and morphology influence performance and guide the design of better devices. This equipment will not only help sustain our existing research programs, but also enable new and exciting research directions. Advancements from this work will help strengthen Canada’s competitiveness in advanced materials, clean energy, and environmental monitoring technologies.