Materials MicroCharacterization Collaboratory

By carefully tailoring a material's microstructure and microchemistry during the manufacturing process, researchers can develop new materials to meet needs within the nation and improve existing materials (for example, increasing the gas mileage on automobiles by improving the performance of catalytic converters). To develop and improve materials, researchers need to determine the morphology, crystallography, elemental composition, and electronic and chemical structure of the materials to the limit of the capabilities of today's best instrumentation.

The goals of the Materials MicroCharacterization Collaboratory are as follows.

To create a single on-line interactive virtual laboratory by joining the advanced characterization technologies at:

• Argonne National Laboratory
• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
• National Institute of Standards and Technology
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory
• University of Illinois.

These facilities collectively house virtually every characterization technique that employs electrons, ions, photons, x-rays, neutrons, mechanical and/or electromagnetic radiation to elucidate the microstructure matter. Collectively the instrumentation in these facilities represents an investment of more than $50 million, a research staff with more than 1000 man-years of expertise in materials research, and an annual total user base of more than 500 scientists and students.

To use the extended capabilities of the virtual collaboratory to address materials sciences research problems related to interfaces and surfaces in economically important materials of interest to U.S. Department of Energy programs.

To develop a functional, interactive electronic collaboratory having the necessary tools for operation by the microanalysis community; leading to a truly new paradigm in scientific research.

To develop our collaboratory research around studies of metal/oxide interfaces, such as are important for corrosion protection (e.g., adherent oxide films on alloys). More info...

To develop our collaboratory research around studies of catalyst research, specifically the behavior of fine metal particles on substrates (e.g., noble metals on oxide supports for reducing emissions from diesel exhausts). More info...

The partners involved in the Materials MicroCharacterization Collaboratory are

• Argonne National Laboratory
• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
• National Institute of Standards and Technology
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory
• University of Illinois
• Gatan Inc.
• R. J. Lee Group.
• EMiSPEC Systems Inc.
• Philips Electronic Instruments
• Hitachi Scientific Instruments, Inc.
• JEOL USA Inc.
• Graham Technology Solutions.

For more info, see

• Materials MicroCharacterization Collaboratory