Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

This proposal is for a new powder X-ray diffractometer for the X-ray Facility at UBC. An X-ray diffractometer with parallel beam optics is required to address the needs of many researchers in chemistry and other departments. This instrument will provide structural information about crystalline and amorphous substances. In particular, the requested instrument will be critical to research programs investigating new crystalline solids, mesoporous materials, nanocrystalline cellulosic materials, liquid crystals, nanoparticles, polymers, organic substances, and minerals. HQP at all levels undergraduates, graduate students, and post-doctorates will receive hands-on training on the powder X-ray diffractometer, and it will be a crucial element of the training students receive in their preparation for careers in academics and industry. Technical staff in the X-ray Facility will be responsible for running samples as a service, for training HQP on the equipment, and for maintaining the instrument; the staff's extensive experience in X-ray diffraction technologies will ensure that the instrument can be used for many years.