A Telepresence Microscopy Research Session In The DOE2000 Materials Microcharacterization Collaboratory

One of the primary research components of the DOE2000 Materials Microcharacterization Collaboratory involves studies of catalyst materials for reduction of NOx emissions from diesel engine exhausts. A series of experimental catalysts is currently under investigation with colleagues from Ford Research Laboratory. The major thrust of this research is the study of catalyst reactions to determine the progressive changes in the structure and morphology of the catalytic materials with temperature and time under conditions simulating diesel exhaust exposures. Because the High Temperature Materials Laboratory (HTML) provides an ex-situ reactor system that permits TEM samples to be examined after sequential reactions without intermediate atmospheric exposures, the research was undertaken on a collaboratory basis, with microscopy sessions conducted remotely via telepresence. This permits Ford scientists to interact with HTML (and/or other collaboratory) scientists during the TEM sessions, but does not require their time and involvement during the actual reactor runs. The first of these telepresence sessions was held recently, as described below.