Acquisition of an Ultra-High Resolution Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope for Studying Nanostructured Materials and their In-situ Mechanics
Abstract
The objective of the current research instrumentation proposal is to request Ultra High Resolution Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope which focuses on studying the nanostructure, interface chemistry, and high resolution in-situ mechanics of nanocomposites and coatings, based on 1D, 2D, and 3D nanofiller species such as nanotubes, nanosheets, graphene foam, and nanofiber mats, which find applications in advanced materials related to DOD research. The requested instrument can operate in a broad range of 0.01 to 30 kV accelerating voltage enabling analysis on a wide variety of materials including conducting and non-conducting materials. It has an excellent resolution of 1 nm at 20 kV with a magnification up to 1,000,000x. The requested FE-SEM is equipped with electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) for elemental analysis. It can accommodate large specimen exchange chamber (100 mm diameter), which will be useful for installing in situ mechanical tester, picoindenter and nano-scratch module for simultaneous imaging and probing large, bulk samples at a temperature up to 700¡C. In situ mechanical tester and picoindenter with nano-scratch modules already exist in PIÕs lab. This instrument will specifically enhance the capabilities to understand the science of one-dimensional nanofiber (BNNT) reinforced metal matrix composites and three-dimensional graphene foam reinforced polymer nanocomposites which are currently being developed by PI and Co-PI with the support from Office of Naval Research (ONR) and Army Research Office (ARO), respectively. Other major DOD research projects to be benefited include: (i) Nanoparticles reinforced adhesives (ONR), and (ii) Splat Sliding mechanics in thermally sprayed structures (ARL). Hence, the current proposal on the acquisition of Ultra High-Resolution Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope will not only enhance the capability of on-going research activities but also helps in creating an infrastructure for future DOD and other agencies applications. The proposed equipment will be beneficial for more than ten (10) faculty members and their research groups at Florida International University (FIU). The proposed instrumentation research will integrate undergraduate and graduate student s training. FIU is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) with large minority student population (63% Hispanic, 9% African-American, and 20% Females in the College of Engineering and Computing). Integration of the proposed equipment in classroom teaching and research will have a tremendous impact on increasing the number of future students in STEM from underrepresented groups. K-12 students and teachers will also benefit from FIUÕs existing dual enrollment and outreach programs such as Engineer on Wheels and Nano Club. The total cost of the requested equipment is estimated to be $399K
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1910509
Entities
People
- Arvind Agarwal
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Florida International University
- Office of the Secretary of Defense