National Surface and Interface Characterisation Laboratory

Surfaces and interfaces are essential parts of all functional materials, determining their physical and chemical properties to a large extent. Knowledge about structure-composition-function relationships is the most important navigation tool in the develo pment of next generation materials within all strategically important research arenas in Norway and internationally. The present initiative constitutes a coordinated effort by the three nationally leading groups within advanced mass spectrometry- and electron spectroscopy of solid surfaces and interfaces: SINTEF Materials and Chemistry, NTNU and UiO. These partners have electron spectroscopy- and mass spectrometry (including management, method development, drift and advanced materials characterization ) as a well-documented core generic competence. Existing infrastructure does not meet the scientific and technological demands faced in several important strategic research areas in Norway e.g. driven by the miniaturization of electronic components, th e progress in nanotechnology, the focus on energy-climate materials, challenges in chemistry and catalysis and new possibilities in life sciences. These demands are even expected to significantly grow in the forthcoming 5-10 years. The applicants theref ore propose a new infrastructure that is integrated with and enhance the existing infrastructure and competence to meet these challenges. The new infrastructure will comprise four instruments at two locations (Trondheim and Oslo). Two of these will be ele ctron spectroscopy instruments (XPS), and two will be mass spectrometry: ToF-SIMS and LEIS combined with chemical surface characterisation (TAP). Besides providing a centre of excellence in its own right, the infrastructure will provide an essential gene ric resource over a wide range of strategic research areas, being of vital importance to present- and future industrial development in Norway.