Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
University of Alberta
$150,000.00
Probing intermolecular interactions and mapping topographic, nanomechanical, nanoelectrical properties of various materials and engineering systems by AFM
FY 2014-15
Summary
The proposed atomic force microscope (AFM) system is the latest model and one of the world's highest performance system designed to provide exceptional sensitivity that enables simultaneous mapping of topography, nanomechanical, nanoelectrical, magnetic and other physical properties as well as interfacial chemical reaction processes for a broad range of materials (e.g., polymers, biopolymers, proteins, nanoparticles, surfactants), engineering and biological systems (e.g. nanoelectronics, oil sands engineering, mineral processing, clean coal processing) in vapors and complex fluids with nanoscale or even atomic resolution. The AFM system has an integrated environmental chamber that provides an easily accessible, sealed sample compartment totally isolated from the rest of the system with precisely controlled humidity, temperature and reactive gas environment to match any experimental requirements. It is particularly suitable for the characterization of intermolecular forces and surface properties of both soft and hard materials, nanoparticles and nanoelectronic devices where the highest sensitivity for measurements of surface properties (e.g. roughness, structure, elasticity, conductivity and chemical reactivity) is required. The instrument requested will be used by graduate/undergraduate students and researchers, coupled with our existing facilities such as attenuated total internal reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and zeta potential analyzer, to conduct pioneering research to resolve a wide range of long-unresolved problems in several fields. These include molecular, colloidal and interfacial properties and interaction mechanisms of various materials and in many engineering and biological systems. The instrument will greatly foster and enhance the discovery, innovation and training capability of the researchers at the University of Alberta. The success of the projects outlined in this proposal will have a significant socio-economical impact on Canadian materials, chemical and mining industry, and bioengineering, and place us among the world's best facilities in interfacial science and engineering.
Program
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Recipient
Location
Alberta, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
472461-2015
Name nom
Zeng, Hongbo
Department département
Chemical and Materials Engineering
Organization id
9
Institution établissement
University of Alberta
Province en
Alberta
Province fr
Alberta
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2014
Competition year année de concours
2015
Award amount
150000
Program id
EQPEQ
Program name en
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche - catégorie 1 (<150 000$)
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1511
Committee name en
Materials and Chemical Engineering
Committee name fr
Génie chimique et des matériaux
Area of application code
1206
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Engineering
Area of application fr
Génie
Research subject code
1800
Research subject group en
Chemical engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie chimique
Research subject en
Chemical engineering
Research subject fr
Génie chimique
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Probing intermolecular interactions and mapping topographic, nanomechanical, nanoelectrical properties of various materials and engineering systems by AFM
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
The proposed atomic force microscope (AFM) system is the latest model and one of the world's highest performance system designed to provide exceptional sensitivity that enables simultaneous mapping of topography, nanomechanical, nanoelectrical, magnetic and other physical properties as well as interfacial chemical reaction processes for a broad range of materials (e.g., polymers, biopolymers, proteins, nanoparticles, surfactants), engineering and biological systems (e.g. nanoelectronics, oil sands engineering, mineral processing, clean coal processing) in vapors and complex fluids with nanoscale or even atomic resolution. The AFM system has an integrated environmental chamber that provides an easily accessible, sealed sample compartment totally isolated from the rest of the system with precisely controlled humidity, temperature and reactive gas environment to match any experimental requirements. It is particularly suitable for the characterization of intermolecular forces and surface properties of both soft and hard materials, nanoparticles and nanoelectronic devices where the highest sensitivity for measurements of surface properties (e.g. roughness, structure, elasticity, conductivity and chemical reactivity) is required. The instrument requested will be used by graduate/undergraduate students and researchers, coupled with our existing facilities such as attenuated total internal reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and zeta potential analyzer, to conduct pioneering research to resolve a wide range of long-unresolved problems in several fields. These include molecular, colloidal and interfacial properties and interaction mechanisms of various materials and in many engineering and biological systems. The instrument will greatly foster and enhance the discovery, innovation and training capability of the researchers at the University of Alberta. The success of the projects outlined in this proposal will have a significant socio-economical impact on Canadian materials, chemical and mining industry, and bioengineering, and place us among the world's best facilities in interfacial science and engineering.
