NSF Org:	DMR Division Of Materials Research
Recipient:	ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Initial Amendment Date:	August 24, 2022
Latest Amendment Date:	September 7, 2022
Award Number:	2216231
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Debasis Majumdar dmajumda@nsf.gov  (703)292-4709 DMR  Division Of Materials Research MPS  Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Start Date:	September 1, 2022
End Date:	August 31, 2025 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$557,841.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$557,841.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2022 = $557,841.00
History of Investigator:	Christina Birkel (Principal Investigator) christina.birkel@asu.edu Timothy Long (Co-Principal Investigator) Candace Chan (Co-Principal Investigator) Seth Tongay (Co-Principal Investigator) Scott Sayres (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	Arizona State University 660 S MILL AVENUE STE 204 TEMPE AZ  US  85281-3670 (480)965-5479
Sponsor Congressional District:	04
Primary Place of Performance:	Arizona State University ORSPA Tempe AZ  US  85281-6011
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	04
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	NTLHJXM55KZ6
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s):	Major Research Instrumentation
Primary Program Source:	01002223DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s):	054Z, 106Z, 7237, 7697
Program Element Code(s):	118900
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.049, 47.083

ABSTRACT

This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) award supports the acquisition of a dual transmission X-ray diffractometer (DTXRD) that allows researchers to study how materials form, how their atoms are arranged, and how they can be manipulated and engineered. The arrangement of these sub-nanometer (< 1 billionth of a meter) building blocks determines the materials properties and behavior in varying environments. Consequentially, understanding their structure is a powerful tool for materials discovery and design to unlock next-generation batteries, sensors, magnets, electronics, catalysts, polymers, and quantum materials. The instrument benefits researchers across a wide range of disciplines (chemistry, biochemistry, earth/planetary and materials science, physics, mechanical, chemical, and electrical engineering) at Arizona State University (ASU). The DTXRD further enables fundamental insights into how the local and long-range arrangement of atoms evolve in response to external parameters (different temperatures, gas, electrical/electrochemical fields) and reveals synthetic formation mechanisms of novel materials. Hence, the instrument allows for crucial materials research that is key for innovation and leads to future technology development. This has an impact not only across multiple disciplines but also transcending further to US-wide academic institutions, including universities with limited research opportunities for students, and industrial partners. The DTXRD provides a unique and powerful learning experience for students through hands-on training and research activities, as well as online courses on crystallography and materials synthesis, creating a workforce that enriches many different industrial sectors ranging from energy and information technology to packaging and waste management. Additionally, public outreach in the form of workshops, lectures, and accessible social media content promote the broad area of materials science and facilitate science communication and networking.

The DTXRD combines two independent and simultaneously operable systems to enable: (i) X-ray diffraction measurements with copper (Cu) or molybdenum (Mo) radiation in transmission geometry (maximizing data quality, especially for layered and 2D materials) that can be performed in capillaries (ideal for air-sensitive compounds) and in an automated way (up to 30 samples), and (ii) Total scattering experiments and pair distribution function analysis using high energy (silver (Ag) radiation) for local structure information of crystalline as well as low- and non-crystalline species, including a reaction chamber and variable temperature capabilities (40 - 1,800 K and gas atmosphere). The high energy radiation also enables operando transmission diffraction measurements of electrochemical devices with coin and pouch cell holders. The DTXRD is used for research projects in three general areas: (1) Understanding the local structure and developing new synthetic reaction pathways for layered, low crystalline, non-crystalline or amorphous, and low-dimensional materials; (2) Mechanistic understanding of materials for renewable energy/catalysis applications; (3) Discovery of new quantum phases in quantum sciences and engineering. The overarching goal within these broad research fields is to develop a deep understanding of the structure of diverse species (ranging from solid-state battery and magnetic materials to minerals and organics/polymers), their formation mechanisms, and their behavior in response to external stimuli (including their potential degradation and failure). This knowledge is crucial for the understanding and design of next generation materials for electrochemical energy, semiconductor, catalysis, and quantum computing applications.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

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