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

The field of Materials Science requires not only the synthesis and characterization of new compounds and molecules, but also the study of how these components are assembled to produce novel structures and materials. The standard analytical toolbox of NMR, Mass-Spec, FTIR, etc. does not provide the requisite information for researchers to produce the materials of tomorrow. Materials scientists have overwhelmingly adopted the atomic force microscope (AFM) as the instrument of choice to study materials at the nanometer scale. This tool lets researchers ""feel"" and ""see"" the systems they create with resolution thousands of times greater than a traditional optical microscope. In some cases, sub-nanometer imaging can visualize individual molecules and atoms. Support of this proposal will provide the funds to replace an AFM that is broken and obsolete, and provide an essential tool to the more than 25 materials science research groups at UVic. In addition to enabling so many researchers, the instrument will be integrated into an established laser-facility. This combination of equipment will be capable of simultaneous optical and surface characterization, a hybridization of tools unique in Canada and uncommon throughout the world.