Grant: Research Tools and Instruments
Université du Québec à Montréal
$142,338.00
Urgent Replacement of Raman Spectrometer and Upgrade to Confocal Microscopy Capability
EF 2015-16
Résumé
We urgently need to replace our aging Raman spectrophotometer, and upgrade our spectroscopy capabilities to a confocal Raman microscope with multiple laser excitation wavelengths. This equipment will ensure the continuation and development of research programs for the applicants, the department of Chemistry, as well as, the NanoScience center (NanoQAM) at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). The NanoScience Center members, which include biochemists, chemists and micro-device engineers, unanimously selected the proposed Raman confocal microscope amongst all urgently-needed equipment.
This equipment is essential to train HQPs at UQAM and will be available to external HQPs, who will be trained by NanoQAM professionals before their own hands-on experience. The most critical work, which cannot be accomplished using the existing equipment and requires specialized modifications to the system/environment includes dynamic in situ measurements with good spatial resolution. For example, the non-uniform evolution of surfaces undergoing electrolysis requires coupling to a potentiostat (co-applicant Daniel Bélanger), chemical “charging” of lithium-ion battery particles and agglomerates requires highly corrosive gases (Cl2, NO2) (co-applicant Steen Schougaard), and the chemical reactions of graphene and graphene-like surfaces during synthesis and post treatment requires a control of both gas flow and substrate temperature (co-applicant Mohamed Siaj). Moreover, the requested Raman microscope will be custom made by the manufacturer to function with an environment-controlled cell with accurate temperature control, from -196 to 600 degrees Celsius. This feature is central to the principal applicant’s ""spectroscopic movie"" approach to mechanistic analysis, which offers parallel analysis of reaction intermediates and products with sub-milisecond time resolution.
In addition to the highly specialized features, which make the instrument unique in the region, the microscope will also serve as the Raman workhorse for HQP training within the department of chemistry and microelectronics, given that the existing Raman spectrophotometer has reached the end of its useful life.
Programme
Research Tools and Instruments
Bénéficiaire
Emplacement
Quebec, Canada
Type de bénéficiaire
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
Tel que publié
Application id
RTI-2016-00411
Name nom
Frenette, Mathieu
Department département
Chimie - Chimie
Organization id
57
Institution établissement
Université du Québec à Montréal
Province en
Québec
Province fr
Québec
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2015
Competition year année de concours
2016
Award amount
142338
Program id
RTI
Program name en
Research Tools and Instruments
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1604
Committee name en
Chemistry (RTI)
Committee name fr
Chimie (OIR)
Area of application code
1208
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Materials sciences
Area of application fr
Sciences des matériaux
Research subject code
2001
Research subject group en
Materials science and technology
Research subject group fr
Science et technologie des matériaux
Research subject en
Materials structure, properties and testing
Research subject fr
Structure, propriétés et essais des matériaux
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Urgent Replacement of Raman Spectrometer and Upgrade to Confocal Microscopy Capability
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
<p>We urgently need to replace our aging Raman spectrophotometer, and upgrade our spectroscopy capabilities to a confocal Raman microscope with multiple laser excitation wavelengths. This equipment will ensure the continuation and development of research programs for the applicants, the department of Chemistry, as well as, the NanoScience center (NanoQAM) at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). The NanoScience Center members, which include biochemists, chemists and micro-device engineers, unanimously selected the proposed Raman confocal microscope amongst all urgently-needed equipment.<br />
This equipment is essential to train HQPs at UQAM and will be available to external HQPs, who will be trained by NanoQAM professionals before their own hands-on experience. The most critical work, which cannot be accomplished using the existing equipment and requires specialized modifications to the system/environment includes dynamic in situ measurements with good spatial resolution. For example, the non-uniform evolution of surfaces undergoing electrolysis requires coupling to a potentiostat (co-applicant Daniel Bélanger), chemical “charging” of lithium-ion battery particles and agglomerates requires highly corrosive gases (Cl2, NO2) (co-applicant Steen Schougaard), and the chemical reactions of graphene and graphene-like surfaces during synthesis and post treatment requires a control of both gas flow and substrate temperature (co-applicant Mohamed Siaj). Moreover, the requested Raman microscope will be custom made by the manufacturer to function with an environment-controlled cell with accurate temperature control, from -196 to 600 degrees Celsius. This feature is central to the principal applicant’s ""spectroscopic movie"" approach to mechanistic analysis, which offers parallel analysis of reaction intermediates and products with sub-milisecond time resolution. <br />
In addition to the highly specialized features, which make the instrument unique in the region, the microscope will also serve as the Raman workhorse for HQP training within the department of chemistry and microelectronics, given that the existing Raman spectrophotometer has reached the end of its useful life.</p>
