Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

This proposal is for the urgent replacement of components for scanning and transmission electron micro-scopes (SEM, TEM). These powerful and indispensable analytical tools have been workhorses for the uOttawa Materials Characterization (MatChar) Core Facility. They allow researchers to establish structure-property-relationships to design next-generation materials, to unlock solutions for clean drinking water, more efficient energy conversion and storage, to understand nano-bio-interactions, and for advanced health and building applications. The FEI Tecnai TEM, JEOL TEM, and JEOL SEM housed in MatChar have out-worn vacuum pump systems and broken SEM emitter, making this instrumentation non-operational. Lack of frequent access to reliable EM tools prevents progress for the applicants' research programs. With this proposal, we hope to refurbish our FEI Tecnai and JEOL TEM with a new vacuum pump system and replace the emitter of our JEOL SEM. The applicants urgently need these components to restore the functionality of the MatChar Electron Microscopy Facility, to support specific aspects of their research and HQP training: 1. Hemmer's research focuses on the design of next-generation optical and magnetic rare-earth-based nanoparticles (RE-NPs) including chemically controlled synthesis and establishment of structure-property-relationships. TEM is indispensable to assess the size and morphology of each batch of RE-NPs synthesized. Without TEM, there is no structural context and any optical, magnetic, or nano-bio-interaction data become meaningless. 2. Scaiano's research aims to develop novel (photo)catalytic nanomaterials to enable sustainable chemistry and address environmental challenges, such as access to clean water. SEM and TEM must be conducted to assess the overall catalytic performance as a function of morphology and structure to unveil underlying catalytic mechanisms. This knowledge is key to design more efficient catalysts. 3. Foruzanmehr's research focuses on the modification of carbon-sequestering materials such as cellulosic materials for advanced building applications. SEM is pivotal to assess the coatings on such materials, which is critical for successful functionalization and optimization. TEM is indispensable to investigate the effects of accelerated aging processes on nanoparticle-impregnated wood. 4. Baranova's research focuses on novel efficient nanomaterials of controlled structure and composition to address challenges related to energy. TEM analysis will provide nanoscale information that can be leveraged into the design of advanced materials of controlled size and morphology for the next-generation energy conversion and storage devices. Moreover, restoring state-of-the-art electron microscopy capabilities will benefit the entire user community at uOttawa and the capital region by expanding capabilities and increasing sample throughput.