Advancing the science and potential applications of nanoporous metals

每个人都听说过纳米技术和纳米材料。一种新兴的纳米材料是纳米多孔金属，通过类似于腐蚀的电化学过程合成。在过去的十年里，人们对这种材料的兴趣激增，在某种程度上，这场革命是建立在申请者早期工作的基础上的。如果这项提议得到资助，我们将创建一个持续研究计划，以解决此类材料在现实世界中应用的潜力，同时还将建立在我们在发现资助计划早期阶段所做的纳米科学的基础上。一些具体举措的例子包括：使用纳米多孔金属作为模板来合成其他纳米材料，节省前驱体合金中昂贵的合金元素，创造新型传感器，优化纳米孔结构表面的催化元素分布。这项活动将补充加拿大其他纳米规模的研究工作，同时与活跃的、专门从事这些材料的国际社会建立联系。最终，这种材料可以促进从生物传感到燃料电池、微驱动、纳米分离等许多非凡技术的发展。

Everyone has heard of nanotechnology and nanomaterials. A rising class of nanomaterial is the nanoporous metal, synthesized by an electrochemical process akin to corrosion. The past decade has seen an explosion of interest in such materials, and to some extent this revolution was built on early work by the applicant. If this proposal is funded, we will create a continuing research program to address the potential of such materials in real-world applications, while also building upon the nanoscale science we have done in earlier phases of the Discovery Grant program. Some examples of specific initiatives include - use of nanoporous metals as templates to synthesize other nanomaterials, economizing on expensive alloying elements in precursor alloys, creation of new kinds of sensor, and optimization of the distribution of catalytic elements on the surface of the nanoporous structure. This activity will complement other nanoscale research efforts in Canada, while connecting with a vibrant international community specializing in these materials. Eventually, such materials could facilitate extraordinary technology ranging from biosensing to fuel cells, micro-actuation, nano-separation, and many others.