Call for User Proposals

Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS) Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) invites proposals for user-initiated nanoscience research that leverages the CNMS’s state-of-the-art instrumentation, synthesis capabilities, theory, and scientific expertise. CNMS is a DOE Office of Science Nanoscale Science Research Center that provides researchers from universities, national laboratories, and industry access to world-class facilities for nanoscale science and engineering.

Projects selected through the peer-reviewed proposal process will receive no-cost access to CNMS facilities and scientific staff support for open, publishable research.

CNMS User Proposal System Spring 2026 Proposal Call

• Proposal system opens: March 18, 2026
• Submission deadline: May 13, 2026
• User projects begin: August 1, 2026

All proposals must be submitted through the CNMS User Proposal System.

Research Areas and Capabilities

The CNMS supports interdisciplinary research spanning synthesis, characterization, nanofabrication, theory, and data analytics. Proposals are encouraged in areas including:

• Advanced functional materials
• Quantum and electronic materials
• Energy storage and conversion
• Catalysis and chemical transformations
• Soft and bio-inspired materials
• Nanostructured polymers and hybrid systems
• Autonomous and data-driven materials discovery

The following new and expanded capabilities are highlighted in this proposal call.

Highlighted New Capabilities

Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis (eMMA)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Helios Hydra 5 Cryo Plasma Focused Ion Beam (Cryo-PFIB)

The Helios Hydra 5 Cryo-PFIB enables advanced nanoscale characterization and sample preparation by allowing researchers to site-specifically mill and access buried structures and interfaces under cryogenic conditions. This instrument supports high-resolution imaging and precise sample preparation for downstream analysis such as TEM, atom probe tomography, and 3D tomography.

Key capabilities include:

• Cryogenic PFIB milling for sensitive and beam-sensitive materials
• Site-specific cross-sectioning and preparation of TEM lamella
• Access to buried interfaces and subsurface structures
• Large-volume nanoscale 3D characterization
• Multi-ion plasma FIB capability enabling optimized milling conditions across diverse materials systems

This capability is particularly relevant for:

• Battery and energy materials
• Polymer and soft materials
• Semiconductor and electronic devices
• Biomaterials and cryogenic sample workflows

Macromolecular Nanomaterials (Macro) Group

Automated Flow Synthesis for Novel Monomers and Polymers

CNMS now offers automated flow reactor platforms enabling the controlled synthesis of novel monomers, polymers, and functional macromolecules. Continuous flow synthesis provides enhanced control over reaction conditions, improved reproducibility, and rapid exploration of polymer architectures.

Applications include:

• Precision polymer synthesis and block copolymers
• Functional macromolecules for energy and separations
• Rapid screening of polymer reaction pathways
• Data-driven and automated materials discovery workflows

Vibrational Sum Frequency Generation (SFG) Spectroscopy for Interfaces

The CNMS now provides vibrational sum frequency generation spectroscopy to probe molecular structure and dynamics at buried and soft interfaces with high sensitivity.

Capabilities include:

• Molecular-level characterization of solid–liquid and liquid–air interfaces
• Interfacial ordering of polymers and soft materials
• Adsorption and catalytic processes at surfaces
• Dynamics of molecular assemblies and thin films

This technique is particularly powerful for understanding interfacial chemistry, polymer thin films, and energy-relevant materials systems.

Two-Dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy (2DIR) for Molecular and Soft Matter Dynamics

CNMS now offers two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy (2DIR) to investigate ultrafast molecular dynamics in complex materials systems.

2DIR correlates vibrational modes across multiple frequencies, enabling researchers to observe molecular structure, vibrational coupling, and chemical dynamics with femtosecond time resolution.

Research applications include:

• Molecular dynamics in polymers and soft materials
• Hydrogen bonding and solvent interactions
• Self-assembly and structural transitions
• Energy transfer processes in molecular systems

Functional Hybrid Nanomaterials (FHN) Group

Synthesis of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) films

CNMS now offers synthesis of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) films on nickel-iron thin films and foils, as well as transfer to the substrate of choice. Deposition is performed in a 4-inch reactor and enables the growth of single-crystal-like films.

Key capabilities include:

• Single layer hBN
• Few layer hBN
• 4’’ single-crystal-like appearance

Collaborative Opportunities with ORNL Facilities

CNMS users benefit from close integration with other ORNL facilities including:

• Spallation Neutron Source (SNS)
• High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR)
• Advanced computing resources at the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF)

These synergies enable multi-modal experiments combining synthesis, characterization, neutron scattering, and modeling.

Proposal Review and Access

Proposals will be evaluated through external peer review based on:

• Scientific merit and innovation
• Feasibility and appropriate use of CNMS capabilities
• Potential impact on nanoscale science

Approved users receive:

• Instrument access and staff collaboration
• Technical and scientific support
• Data analysis and computational resources

How to Submit

All proposals must be submitted through the CNMS User Proposal System. Proposals should clearly describe:

• Scientific objectives and expected outcomes
• CNMS capabilities requested
• Experimental approach and feasibility

Detailed submission guidance and templates are available in the proposal system.

CNMS Research Groups

• Functional Atomic Force Microscopy — Understands complex interplay between fields and materials at the nanoscale using novel scanning probe imaging and spectroscopy techniques via combined development of state-of-the-art instrumentation, controls, and advanced analysis methods.
• Electron Microscopy MicroÅnalysis — (eMMA) Develops and advances new STEM‑Scanning Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) techniques. These techniques push the spatial, temporal, and energy resolution limits for imaging and spectroscopy to understand materials structure, chemistry, and function by application of analytical and in situ STEM‑based methods, including cryo‑EM and Atom Probe Microscopy (APT).
• Scanning Tunneling Microscopy — Develops novel capabilities to enable unprecedented insight into electronic, magnetic, and transport properties in low‑dimensional systems and understand fundamental behavior of quantum systems.
• Functional Hybrid Nanomaterials — Conducts controlled synthesis of functional nanostructures and thin films by CVD and PLD using real‑time diagnostics, e.g., 2D layered materials, hybrid organic/inorganic films, carbon nanostructures, oxide thin films, and heterostructures.
• Macromolecular Nanomaterials — Performs precise synthesis of functional polymers with special emphasis on selective deuteration, small molecule synthesis, and ionic polymerization, as well as macromolecular characterization.
• Nanofabrication Research Laboratory — Develops methods to fabricate nanostructures using best‑in‑class lithographic, etching, thin‑film deposition, and characterization tools.
• Data NanoAnalytics — Integrates edge computing and AI/ML methods into instrumentation and materials synthesis platforms to accelerate the pace of discovery.
• Nanomaterials Theory Institute — Provides and advances capabilities for theory and high‑performance simulation to enable fundamental understanding of physical and chemical properties of nanoscale materials and soft matter.