In situ Transmission Electron Microscope Nanoindenter and Tribometer

随着纳米材料和纳米尺度现象在现代技术应用中的重要性与日俱增，纳米力学测试方法已经成为材料研究的重要组成部分。原位电子显微镜已经发展到可以同时进行完全仪器化的纳米力学测试的水平，为在纳米尺度上研究材料的基本变形机制提供了独特的机会。例如，可以进行原位透射电子显微镜测试，以研究位错的动态行为及其与其他缺陷(如孪晶、晶界或相界)的相互作用，在进行这些观察的同时，还可以记录载荷和深度，这是使用任何传统技术都无法获得的。到目前为止，大部分的原位透射电子显微镜研究都集中在纯金属等传统材料上，以研究它们的准静态性质，如弹性模量和强度。人们对它们的其他纳米级力学行为知之甚少，例如断裂、蠕变、疲劳、摩擦和磨损，这些在实际应用中是至关重要的。此外，原位透射电子显微镜的研究可能会对许多新兴材料的变形机制有新的认识，包括高熵合金(HEAs)、2D材料、能源材料和生物基材料。在这一应用中，我们的团队要求使用一套原位电子显微镜压头和摩擦试验机系统，以便在原位电子显微镜实验期间动态获取定量的力学和成像数据。该仪器是支持NSERC资助的五个研究项目的关键，包括以下项目：(1)HEA的纳米级变形和磨损行为；(2)2D材料的纳米级机械可靠性；(3)储能材料的纳米级机械性能。该团队包括两名申请者和12名合作者，由研究人员组成，他们涵盖了一系列学术专长、文化背景和职业阶段，包括平衡的性别代表。其中，申请者和三名合作者是早期职业研究人员。在团队组成和HQP培训中充分考虑了包容性、多样性和性别平等。所要求的设备将提供独特的机会，立即培训20多名高素质人员(HQP)，并在未来五年培训60多名HQP。所要求的设备不仅对拟议的研究至关重要，而且对于许多其他由NSERC资助的与先进材料、机械和表征相关的研究项目也具有广泛的应用。到目前为止，安大略省还没有一台原位电子显微镜压头和摩擦试验机。所要求的仪器将安装在安大略省安大略省先进材料特征中心(OCCAM)的中央基础设施中，并向加拿大所有用户开放。这将为加拿大的许多研究小组和产业合作伙伴带来新的合作机会。

Methods for nanomechanical testing have become a critical part of materials research, with the ever-increasing importance of nanomaterials and nanoscale phenomena in modern technological applications. In situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has evolved to a level where fully instrumented nanomechanical tests can be performed simultaneously, providing unique opportunities for studying fundamental deformation mechanisms in materials at the nanoscale. Seeing is believing, for instance, in situ TEM testing can be performed to investigate the dynamic behaviour of dislocations and their interactions with other defects such as twin, grain or phase boundaries, while these observations are being made, the load and depth can also be recorded, which cannot be obtained using any conventional technique. So far, most in situ TEM studies have focused on conventional materials such as pure metals to study their quasi-static properties, for example, modulus and strength. There is little understanding of their other nanoscale mechanical behaviour, for example, fracture, creep, fatigue, friction and wear, which are critical in realistic applications. Furthermore, in situ TEM studies may lead to new insights into the deformation mechanisms of a wide range of emerging materials, including high-entropy alloys (HEAs), 2D materials, energy materials, and bio-based materials. In this application, our team requests an in situ TEM indenter and tribometer system for dynamically acquiring quantitative mechanical and imaging data during in situ TEM experiments. The instrument is essential for supporting five NSERC-funded research programs, including the following projects: (1) Nanoscale deformation and wear behaviour of HEAs; (2) Nanoscale mechanical reliability of 2D materials; (3) Nanoscale mechanical behaviour of energy storage materials. The team includes two applicants and 12 collaborators, comprised of researchers spanning a range of academic expertise, cultural backgrounds, and career stages, including balanced gender representation. Among them, the applicant and three collaborators are early career researchers. Inclusion, diversity, and gender equity are fully considered in team composition and HQP training. The requested equipment will provide unique opportunities to train more than 20 highly qualified personnel (HQP) immediately and over 60 HQP in the next five years. The requested equipment is not only vital to the proposed research, but it also has versatile applications for many other NSERC-funded research programs related to advanced materials, mechanics and characterization. Up to now, there has been no in situ TEM indenter and tribometer in Ontario. The requested instrument will be installed in a U of T's central infrastructure - Ontario Centre for the Characterisation of Advanced Materials (OCCAM) and open to all the users in Canada. It will bring new collaborative opportunities for many research groups and industrial partners in Canada.