Replacement Scanning Electron Microscope for materials chemistry research

用于材料化学研究的替代扫描电子显微镜

• 批准号: RTI-2017-00371
• 负责人: Easton, EBradley
• 金额: $ 10.79万
• 依托单位: University of Ontario Institute of Technology
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Research Tools and Instruments
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2016-01-01 至 2017-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=616657
• 关键词: Replacement; Scanning; Electron; Microscope; materials

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.

该提案旨在获得一种新的扫描电子显微镜 (SEM) 系统，以取代不再运行的旧系统。SEM 是研究新材料最有用、最通用的仪器之一，能够对形态和结构进行成像。此外，当配备能量色散 X 射线 (EDX) 探测器时，可以通过 X 射线荧光确定样品的原子组成。 。 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型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清洁能源。如果能够提高材料的性能成本比以及其耐久性，它们就有可能在能源领域得到更广泛的应用。评估可以克服其中许多问题的新型电极材料问题。 此外，SEM 系统还将用于表征新型离子传感设备，该设备可快速用于监测水中的金属含量，此类设备有可能被部署为废物和清洁的低成本环境监测。水源。 SEM 测量将能够对新材料的微米和纳米级特征进行成像，EDX 测量将能够确定整体成分，而数字 X 射线绘图功能将能够实现催化剂层或传感器表面内元素分布的可视化。使我们能够了解成分和形态如何影响性能并指导更好的设备的设计，该设备不仅有助于维持我们现有的研究项目，而且使这项工作取得新的、令人兴奋的研究方向将有助于增强加拿大在先进领域的竞争力。材料、清洁能源和环境监测技术。