Liquid flow-cell sample holder for liquid-phase electron microscopy and correlative microscopy research

科学突破往往建立在肉眼看不见的物体的成功可视化的基础上。电子显微镜是研究原子/分子尺度的材料结构和相关现象的最有力的表征技术之一。我们要求获得一种完全密封的液体流动池样品保持器，它允许使用所谓的液体电子显微镜对液体中的材料进行表征。液晶盒支架将在多个研究领域有很高的需求，如：1)能量转换催化剂；2)纳米材料和聚合物系统的结晶、自组装；3)与纳米材料合成和法医失效分析有关的金属腐蚀；以及4)识别小行星中的外星氨基酸。*拟议的仪器将支持NSERC资助的五个研究项目(简·豪、道格·佩罗维奇、米切尔·温尼克、罗杰·纽曼和金·泰特)，这些项目可以极大地受益于使用液体池研究液体中的样品，同时原位测量结构和化学信息。这些研究人员在原位电子显微镜和应用材料研究方面的工作在国际上得到了认可。豪将研究液体中的电催化反应，为开发碳捕获和利用的新技术获得基础知识。佩罗维奇将研究液体环境中不同类别材料和载体的光热催化的机理细节。Winnik将专注于嵌段共聚物在液体中的自组装过程。纽曼将在与能源系统和新型纳米材料合成相关的腐蚀过程中描绘纯金属和贵金属合金的图像。泰特将在陨石和小行星中寻找生命的证据，并利用这些信息来了解地球上生命的起源。液态电子显微镜是一个正在经历革命性增长的表征领域，因为它打开了许多新的科学研究机会的大门。液体容器将设在安大略省先进材料表征中心用户设施，并由专职人员进行维护。将采取措施确保所有感兴趣的研究人员尽可能高程度地利用和使用拟议的仪器。申请者拥有在包容性研究环境中指导各种高素质人员(HQP)的良好记录，并致力于进一步打破研究领域的隐藏障碍。HQP将使用最先进的设备来解决催化和能量转换、腐蚀和行星科学领域的关键问题。他们将参与液体显微镜实验的设计和液体池固定器的操作。他们将获得从事基础研究以及与工业相关的应用项目的第一手经验。

Scientific breakthroughs often build on the successful visualization of objects invisible to the naked eye. Electron microscopy is one of the most powerful characterization techniques for studying structures of materials and related phenomena down to atomic/molecular length scales. We request to get a fully sealed, liquid flow-cell sample holder which permits the characterization of materials in liquid, using so-called liquid-phase electron microscopy. The liquid cell holder will be in high demand for multiple research areas such as: 1) catalysts for energy conversion; 2) crystallization, self-assembly of nanomaterial and polymer systems; 3) corrosion of metals related to both synthesis of nanomaterials and forensic failure analysis; and 4) identifying extraterrestrial amino acids in asteroids. ******The proposed instrumentation will support five NSERC-funded research programs (Jane Howe, Doug Perovic, Mitchell Winnik, Roger Newman, and Kim Tait) that can greatly benefit from using the liquid cell for studying the samples in liquid while measuring structural and chemical information in situ. These researchers have been recognized internationally for their work with in situ electron microscopy and applied materials research. Howe will study electrocatalytic reaction in liquid, gaining fundamental knowledge for developing new technologies for carbon capture and utilization. Perovic will study the mechanistic details of photothermal catalysis for different classes of materials and supports in liquid-phase environments. Winnik will focus on self-assembly process of block copolymers in liquid. Newman will image pure metals and noble-metal alloys during corrosion processes that are relevant to energy systems and the synthesis of novel nanomaterials. Tait will search for the evidence of life in meteorites and asteroids and use this information for understanding the origin of life on Earth.******Liquid-phase electron microscopy is a characterization area that is experiencing revolutionary growth, as it opens doors to many new scientific research opportunities. The liquid holder will be located at the Ontario Centre for the Characterization of Advanced Materials user facility, and maintained by dedicated personnel. Measures will be taken to ensure the proposed instrumentation has the highest possible degree of utilization and accessibility by all interested researchers. The Applicants have a proven track record in mentoring diverse highly qualified personnel (HQP) in an inclusive research environment and are committed to further break down hidden barriers in research space. HQP will use the state-of-the-art equipment to solve critical problems in the fields of catalysis and energy conversion, corrosion, and planetary science. They will involve in the design of the liquid microscopy experiments and the operation of the liquid cell holder. They will gain first-hand experience to work with fundamental research coupled with applied, industrially-relevant projects.