Acquisition of an X-Ray Photoelectron Spectrometer for Research, Education and Capacity Building in Materials Science at CAU
Abstract
Clark Atlanta University (CAU) requests funding to acquire an X-ray Photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) to support chemistry, physics, and materials science research and education activities. The instrument will add new enabling capabilities to augment CAUÕs current core research infrastructure to perform cutting edge research in areas of vital importance to the mission and research needs of the Department of Defense (DoD). It will provide significant opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to increase their participation in innovative polymeric composites and materials science research, and for high school students and teachers to be exposed to materials science. The XPS will be used to support CAUÕs significant and growing portfolio of research activities in materials science, among which the following are current areas of focus: (1) The development of materials such inorganic-organic porous materials (namely, metal organic framework-MOF and covalent organic framework ÐCOF structures) along with electroactive polymers for applications in energy conversion and storage (namely in lithium ion batteries) and for the detoxification of contaminants toward water purification; (2) development of nano-layers of transition-metal dichalcogenides and related heterostructures (such as MoS2-WS2, and MoS2-WSe2) by chemical vapor deposition for applications in optoelectronics, spintronics, valleytronics, catalysis and batteries; (3) Bio-based, biodegradable polymer matrix composites, focusing on processing methods that are readily scaled to commercial process; (4) The design and synthesis of COFs, MOFs and photo-controllable metallo-polymers with graphene as fluorescence probes. These are areas of keen interest to DoD and its research offices: Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), Office of Naval Research (ONR), and the Army Research Office (ARO), and DoD research labs such as the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). For example, one target is, the development of low weight multifunctional polymer matrix nanocomposites, exhibiting improved structural properties; thermal and electrical conductivity for thermal management or lightning strike protection, respectively; and improved mechanical, blast, ballistic and fire resistance properties and out-of-plane properties. Such nanocomposites can meet the need for materials with improved structural performance and damage resistance to aircraft, armored tanks, and ship components. The XPS can accommodate various material phases, including powders nanopheres, thin films, and polycrystalline materials (such as, polymers, covalent organic framework and metal organic framework structures, polymer self-assembled monolayers, and membrane electrode assembly). It will be used to identify and quantify both elemental compositions, conduct chemical states mapping of elements and defects analysis. In addition to supporting national defense research needs, the XPS requested herein will support CAU research activities, and foster interdisciplinary collaborations across departments. It will positively impact education at all levels from pre-college to postgraduate, and contribute to the education of the next generation of materials scientists and cultivate a diverse and capable workforce in STEM areas that are important to the DoD mission. This XPS will support the research activities of the principal investigator, Dr. Conrad Ingram, three Co-PIs Drs. Eric Mintz, Xinle Li, Michael Williams and four senior personnel, and will have an immediate impact on the research activities of at least twenty-five current graduate and sixteen undergraduate students, and three post docs. The DoD-related research activities outlined herein are supported by several active research grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements from DoD, National Science Foundation (NSF), and Forest Products Laboratory (FPL).
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 25, 2021
- Source ID
- W911NF2110146
Entities
People
- Conrad Ingram
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Clark Atlanta University
- Office of the Secretary of Defense