A confocal, interferometry, and focus variation based three dimensional profilometer

所要求的仪器是一种独特的光学轮廓仪，可以非常精确地测量工程表面的形状和纹理，并在3D中可视化。它是市场上唯一可以使用三种不同技术（共聚焦、干涉测量和焦点变化）进行此类测量的仪器，每种技术都有其优点和缺点。与允许在有限的表面上进行测量的其他轮廓仪相比，这些测量原理的3合1集成意味着可以在具有各种坡度的各种光滑和粗糙表面上进行测量。******该轮廓仪是安大略省同类仪器中的第二台，目前迫切需要支持大多伦多地区三所机构（瑞尔森大学、多伦多大学和约克大学）的八位世界级研究人员的研究项目。该设备将支持影响各种行业的研究，包括医疗保健、微技术、航空航天、汽车、食品、防护服和发电。它包括开发新的：(i)用于诊断和治疗疾病的生物分析芯片；（ii）微型相机中用于自动对焦和光学图像稳定的微型传感器和执行器；（iii）用于保护风力涡轮机叶片和其他部件免受空气中微粒影响的涂层；（四）航空航天和汽车用轻金属；(v)用于人工关节置换的工程组织，如实验室培养的软骨；军事和实验室安全用防护服；（vii）制造和储存巧克力的方法，使其保存时间更长，质量最高。******在如此广泛的应用领域取得的这些新进展将确保加拿大工业处于有利地位，创造新的就业机会，并为加拿大社会带来重大的健康和经济效益。在研究人员的监督下从事这些项目的学生将是极少数接受过这种独特仪器培训的学生之一，因此在他们找工作或毕业后攻读更高的研究生课程时将具有优势。

The requested instrument is a unique optical profilometer that can make very accurate measurements of, and visualize in 3D, the shape and texture of engineered surfaces. It is the only such instrument on the market that can perform such measurements using three different technologies (confocal, interferometry, and focus variation), each with their advantages and disadvantages. In contrast to other profilometers that allow measurements on a limited set of surfaces, the 3-in-1 integration of these measurement principles means that measurements can be made on a very wide variety of smooth and rough surfaces that have a wide variety of slopes. ******The profilometer, only the second of its kind in Ontario, is urgently needed to support the research programs of eight world-class investigators at three institutions in the greater Toronto area (Ryerson University, University of Toronto, and York University). The equipment will support research that impacts a wide variety of industries including health care, microtechnology, aerospace, automotive, food, protective clothing, and power generation. It includes development of new: (i) bioanalytic chips to diagnose and treat diseases; (ii) micro-sensors and actuators for autofocus and optical image stabilization in miniature cameras; (iii) coatings used to protect wind turbine blades and other components from the impact of air-borne particulates; (iv) lightweight metals for use in aerospace and automotive applications; (v) engineered tissues such as lab-grown cartilage for use in artificial joint replacement; (vi) protective clothing for military and laboratory safety applications; and (vii) methods to manufacture and store chocolate so that it lasts longer and is of highest quality. ******These new advances in such a wide variety of applications will ensure that Canadian industry is put at an advantage, generating new jobs and bringing significant health and economic benefits to Canadian society. The students working on these projects under the supervision of the researchers will be amongst the very few to be trained on such a unique instrument and will thus be at an advantage when they seek employment or pursue higher graduate studies upon graduation.