Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

This equipment grant applied is for the purchase of a Multi Purpose X-Ray Diffractometer (Pro MRD) from PANalytical (formerly Philips) for determining structural characteristics in the nanometer range, including phase identification, crystallite size, shape and distribution, non-uniform strain, crystallinity, layer thickness, roughness, density and preferred orientations, etc. This Pro MRD has a number of unique features compared to other X-Ray Diffractometers (XRD), such as the highest safety, accurate measurement, versatility and flexibility. The research to be supported by this requested equipment includes various ongoing research projects within the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo. A few ongoing research programs are named here as examples: Development of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, Development of Advanced Rubber Materials/Technology, and Development of Fuel Cell Stations, etc. These research programs are NSERC/Industrial Research Chair projects, or NSERC/Industrial Collaborative Research and Development projects, or NSERC Discovery Grant projects or industrial projects. These projects are located at the frontier of the relevant research fields. The realization of these projects will make significant contributions to both academic and commercial aspects of these areas. However, the success of these projects significantly relies on an advanced X-Ray Diffractomer such as the requested Pro MRD. The purchase of such equipment will enhance the research tools and training facilities in the Department of Chemical Engineering at University of Waterloo. The success of these research programs and the training of high quality personnel will be beneficial to high-tech development and economic prosperity of Canada.