Quantitative structural characterization and property measurements of materials by in situ electron microscopy

原位电子显微镜对材料的定量结构表征和性能测量

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-06444
• 负责人: Howe, Jane
• 金额: $ 2.77万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=715716
• 关键词: Quantitative; structural; characterization; property; measurements; Quantitative; structural; characterization; property; measurements

The long-term objective of the research program is to carry out quantitative structural characterization and property measurements of materials during their exposure to relevant and realistic stimuli or environments, and their real-time evolution during processing and operation at nano and sub-nanometer length scales. The short-term objective is to build a liquid-cell electron and correlative microscopy platform that allows the study of how materials function in liquid environments. We will devote a portion of the program towards the understanding of electron-beam effects in aqueous solutions with multiple species, as well as electron beam interactions with nonpolar solutions and ionic liquids. Based upon the new knowledge gain from the fundamental studies of the beam effects, we are striving to explore new frontiers of liquid cell electron microscopy research with improved techniques in several technological areas including: i) catalysis and photochemistry; ii) corrosion and cavitation; iii) environmental remediation and water treatment; and iv) and identifying extraterrestrial amino acids in the carbon-rich meteorites and asteroids. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) offers structural and compositional information of materials at the atomic level. TEM is conventionally carried out on a thin, solid sample in high vacuum. In order to study materials immersed in water and other liquids, we propose an interdisciplinary, “lab-in-the-gap” approach. Specifically, using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology with a high level of miniaturization, research will be conducted in fully integrated, closed liquid cell sample holders that enable the study of materials immersed in liquid, with possible additional stimuli such as optical or electrical influence, heat or gas, and simultaneously acquire multiple responses and signals in situ. The CFI-funded Ontario Centre for the Characterisation of Advanced Materials at the University of Toronto includes an environmental TEM and a high-resolution scanning electron microscope that provide the platforms for the proposed Discovery program. Electron microcopy is rapidly evolving from an observational science to an in situ laboratory platform for advancing many fronts of science and engineering research. Liquid cell electron microscopy is one of the areas that is experiencing revolutionary growth. Preliminary data from our prototype liquid cell suggest that we on the right track for making important discoveries in a number of technological sectors. HQP will be directly involved 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 interdisciplinary projects to solve critical problems in the fields of materials synthesis, space science, alternative energy resources, and beyond.

研究计划的长期目标是在暴露于相关和现实的刺激或环境中对材料的定量结构表征和财产测量，及其在纳米和亚纳米长度尺度的处理和操作过程中的实时演变。 短期目标是建立一个液体细胞电子和矫正显微镜平台，该平台可以研究材料在液体环境中的功能。我们将把程序的一部分用于了解具有多种物种水溶液中的电子束效应，以及与非极性溶液和离子液体的电子束相互作用。基于对梁效应的基本研究的新知识增长，我们正在努力探索液体细胞电子显微镜研究的新领域，并在几种技术领域进行改进的技术，包括：i）催化和光化学； ii）腐蚀和气蚀； iii）环境修复和水处理；和IV），并鉴定富含碳和小行星的外星氨基酸。 传输电子显微镜（TEM）在原子水平上提供了材料的结构和复合信息。 TEM通常在高真空中的薄而固体样品上进行。为了研究浸入水和其他液体的材料，我们提出了一种跨学科的“实验室差距”方法。具体而言，使用具有高度微型化的微电机电系统（MEMS）技术，将在完全集成的，封闭的液体细胞样品持有器中进行研究，从而可以研究浸入液体中的材料，并可能具有额外的刺激，例如光学或电气影响，热或气体，并轻松获得多个反应和信号。 多伦多大学的CFI资助的安大略省高级材料表征中心包括环境TEM和高分辨率扫描电子显微镜，该电子显微镜为拟议的发现计划提供了平台。 电子微型复制品正在迅速发展，从观察性科学到促进科学和工程研究许多方面的现场实验室平台。液体细胞电子显微镜是经历革命生长的区域之一。来自原型液体细胞的初步数据表明，我们在正确的许多技术领域中进行重要发现的正确轨道。 HQP将直接参与液体显微镜实验的设计和液体细胞支架的运行。他们将获得与基础研究以及应用跨学科项目的基础研究的第一手经验，以解决材料合成，太空科学，替代能源资源等领域的关键问题。