Project Grant 2204052

This $423,650 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation's Division of Chemistry under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049) supports the development of Quantitative Scattering Microscopy (QSCAT) for nanoscale imaging of ion insertion chemistry. Led by researchers at Colorado State University, the project aims to leverage how inserted ions change light propagation through materials to create a light scattering-based measurement technique that can selectively and quantitatively measure ion insertion at the single nanoparticle level. This new microscopy approach seeks to address limitations in current electrical-based measurement methods by isolating ion insertion processes from other electrochemical responses. The research has the potential to enable new electroanalytical methods for interrogating charge storage mechanisms and surface processes, providing insights to advance materials discovery for applications like energy storage. Training opportunities through the project also seek to help build a diverse scientific workforce.