Prior
to its next scheduled proposal call, the CNMS will
accept only Rapid Access proposals for limited access
to
conduct time-sensitive research. Read more..
This
is an example of our most recent Call for Proposals
(Fall 2012)
Call
for User Proposals: High-Impact Nanoscience Research
Center for Nanophase
Materials Sciences
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Successful
applicants will be able to use CNMS facilities
starting February 1, 2013
The
Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS) at Oak
Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is soliciting
proposals for user-initiated nanoscience research that
will make effective use of CNMS facilities and staff
expertise. The CNMS nanoscience research program provides
users with access to a broad range of capabilities
for nanomaterials design, synthesis, characterization,
and theory/modeling/simulation in order to carry out
studies
that will significantly
advance our understanding of nanoscale phenomena and
develop functional nanomaterials systems. Access is
provided at no cost to users for research that is
in the public domain and intended for publication in
the open literature.
Scientifically
high-impact proposals are sought that take advantage
of any of the CNMS research capabilities listed below.
In particular, prospective users are encouraged to submit
proposals that utilize and exploit synergies of research
capabilities in two or more of the areas listed below,
and proposers of experimental nanoscience research are
encouraged to request theory/modeling/simulation collaborations
as appropriate. Visit the Capabilities
section of the
CNMS website to learn more.
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Macromolecular
Nanomaterials |
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Synthesis and molecular-level characterization of polymeric nanomaterials and polymer-modified interfaces, including systems based on pi-conjugated and biologically inspired polymers and copolymers; deuterated molecules and polymers for neutron scattering studies.
Highlighted
capabilities:
Synthesis
of topologically-complex polymers
Synthesis and characterization of well-defined conjugated polymers, especially P3HT-based
materials
Deuterated vinyl and diene monomers and polymers
Soft matter TEM |
Nanomaterials Theory Institute |
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Integrated
support for experimental research; development of theoretical
and computational nanoscience methods to address Grand Challenges
of quantum correlations and transport in nanostructures,
multi-scale modeling, nanomaterials design, and virtual synthesis.
Highlighted
capabilities:
Large-scale molecular dynamics and ab initio electronic structure calculations
Formulation of theory/modeling support for experiment and theory projects
Development and application of efficient methods for computational study of strongly
correlated electron systems and complex materials
Access to NTI Beowulf cluster for capacity computing...more information |
Imaging Functionality |
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Advanced scanning probe capabilities to study the effects of reduced and experimentally variable dimensionality; magnetism, transport, and ferroelectricity in nanostructured materials.
Highlighted
capabilities:
Ambient
and liquid force-based scanning probes with electrical and
electromechanical
spectroscopies including Band Excitation and Switching Spectroscopy
PFM, and
Electromechanical Strain Microscopy
Scanning Microwave Microscopy
Scanning
Probe Microscopy in a controlled environment (glove box)
Electronic transport
with cryogenic 4-independent probe STM in UHV
Variable temperature, UHV scanning probe microscopy and spectroscopy, AFM/STM/STS
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Nanofabrication
Research Laboratory |
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10,000-ft2 cleanroom environment for nanoscale patterning, nanomaterials processing, and development of controlled synthesis and directed assembly methods; functional integration of soft and hard materials.
Highlighted
capabilities:
E-beam
lithography (20-nm linewidth)
Dual-beam SEM/FIB with Raith lithography
Rapid Thermal Processing Tool
Advanced optical profilometry (dynamic characterization of nanoscale deformations, large
area roughness and flatness analysis with subnanometer resolution)
Plasma Assisted Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD): highly conformal,
self-limiting, deposition temperatures as low as 30°C |
Bio-Inspired Nanomaterials |
|
Full
capabilities to manipulate and image hydrated biological
samples; synthesis of vertically aligned carbon nanofiber
arrays; integration of engineered nanomaterials with biological
systems.
Highlighted
capabilities:
Multimodality
(AFM, confocal, epifluorescence, etc.) live-cell imaging,
with special emphasis on
imaging cell-nanomaterial interfaces
and stochastic processes in cells |
Functional Hybrid Nanostructures |
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Laser and CVD synthesis of carbon nanomaterials, oxide film heterostructures, and organic nanowires controlled by time-resolved, in situ diagnostics, and processing with optoelectronic polymers and small molecules into hybrid architectures for organic electronics; optoelectronic characterization of nanomaterials and devices including tunable, ultrafast laser spectroscopy.
Highlighted
capabilities:
Controlled atmosphere dual glove box evaporator system for
wet/dry assembly of
organic/inorganic/metal multilayered heterostructures
Calibrated OLED and PV efficiency measurement
Photomodulated AC Impedance Spectroscopy
Ultrafast (40 fs) tunable pump-probe laser spectroscopy
Tunable micro- / macro-Raman spectroscopy
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Chemical Functionality |
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Synthesis and characterization of inorganic and organic nanomaterials with emphasis on catalytic performance for energy applications.
Highlighted
capabilities:
Computerized microactivity high-pressure catalytic reactor
Flash 2000 CHNS/O elemental analyzer
Operando FTIR
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Electron Microscopy, Neutron and X-ray Scattering |
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Atomic-level and nanoscale structure and dynamics with varying temperature, pressure and in situ reactivity environments.
Highlighted
capabilities:
Small-angle X-ray scattering, SAXS (Anton Paar SAXess)
SEM with variable pressure capability for non-conductive or low vapor pressure materials
(Zeiss Merlin)
TEM for studies of soft nanomaterials (Zeiss Libra Plus, 60 - 120keV)
Access to a Nion UltraSTEM 60-100kV dedicated aberration-corrected STEM for low-
and mid-voltage operation (via ShaRE) |
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Opportunity to request beamtime for Neutron Scattering
The CNMS is cooperating with ORNL's neutron scattering facilities to allow users to request neutron beamtime within a CNMS user proposal, provided that the main part of the proposed work would be carried out at CNMS. To request beamtime at one of ORNL’s neutron facilities, CNMS users should attach the 2-page Neutron Scattering appendix with their CNMS proposal submission. The beamtime request will be reviewed concurrently with the CNMS proposal review. CNMS access for any proposal will still be based entirely on the CNMS’s standard peer-review process. A CNMS user whose beamtime request is declined will be welcome to submit a standalone proposal directly to the neutron user program in their next proposal call. CNMS user proposals submitted during this cycle may request neutron beamtime during the July through December 2013 experiment period.
The CNMS offers two types of sample design and synthesis capabilities specifically to enable forefront neutron scattering investigations:
- Organic and polymer synthesis capabilities are available to prepare deuterated small molecules, monomers, and polymers.
- Design and synthesis capabilities are available for multilayered oxide heterostructures grown with atomic-layer control to adequate thicknesses.
In addition, other synthetic capabilities within CNMS can create samples appropriate for neutron scattering experiments as designed by users.
The CNMS website provides detailed descriptions of specific CNMS
Research Capabilities that are offered to users, and
this list of capabilities is duplicated in checklist form
on the downloadable CNMS
User Proposal Form. Prospective
users are invited and strongly encouraged to contact CNMS staff members in the respective research areas to discuss
their proposal ideas and learn more about the specific
capabilities of interest to them.
The deadline
for submission of user research
proposals is October 17, 2012.
Please review the Guidelines for Submission
of a CNMS User Research
Proposal (below) and the Instructions
for Submitting a Proposal. Approved projects
will be granted access to CNMS facilities during
the period February 1, 2013 through January 31, 2014.
The CNMS is a highly collaborative national user research
facility dedicated to the synthesis, characterization,
theory/modeling/simulation,
and design of nanoscale materials, and their integration into functional
systems. The CNMS cannot provide direct research funding to users.
Guidelines
for Submission of a CNMS User Research Proposal
- Content:
Each user proposal must describe clearly and
specifically which part of the work is to be
done using CNMS facilities: What CNMS tools and
expertise will be needed to carry out which steps
and on what timeline? Each user proposal must
also clearly define the expected outcomes from
the CNMS component: What are the targets or milestones
that the CNMS contribution must meet in order
for the overall research project to succeed?
Please keep in mind that you are proposing a
specific user project; describe the overall research
program only so far as is necessary to establish
the context and impact of the user proposal.
See Tips for Writing a Competitive User Proposal.
- Priority
must be given to proposals that lie within current
CNMS Capabilities.
Proposals that require capabilities from more than one area are encouraged, as are requests for theory/modeling/simulation support for experimental projects.
- Proposals
will be reviewed by selected members of the CNMS
Proposal Review Committee using evaluation criteria proposed by the
IUPAP in its recommendations on the operation
of user facilities. Please see the DOE NSRC Evaluation
Criteria and Process and Evaluation
Criteria for CNMS Research Proposals.
- Prospective
users are encouraged to contact one of the staff
members listed for each set of related research
capabilities
to discuss the suitability of any particular
CNMS capability for the proposed research. General
questions about the proposal process can be directed
to the CNMS User Program Manager, Dr.
Tony Haynes.
Go
to Instructions for Submitting
a Proposal
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