Renovation of Research Laboratories in Higgins Laboratory Building

Noori 希金斯实验室，一个多学科的研究设施，在伍斯特理工学院（WPI）的校园，是家里的机械工程系。 该建筑建于1941年，从未进行过实质性的翻新或升级。目前进行的研究活动是在控制和振动，流体动力学，生物力学和生物流体，激光全息术和计量学，燃烧等领域。 虽然围绕机械工程的传统学科组织，但所进行的研究涉及关键技术的新兴领域，如制造，生物力学和热科学。虽然WPI有一个正在进行的工程工作，关键的基础设施缺陷的存在，影响了在该设施进行的研究。 该奖项将为希金斯实验楼下层的研究空间的翻新提供资金。现有的实验室缺乏适当和充分的空气质量控制、电力、无障碍环境和废物管理。 将对空间进行升级，以合并目前分散在小型、过时和分隔的设施中的研究活动。通过组织可用空间鼓励交流，这些改进将促进所有群体之间的跨学科努力。 翻新后的设施将提供充足的空间，以满足越来越多的学生在WPI机械工程项目的要求。 这些训练有素的学生，其中很大一部分是美国公民，将在几个关键技术领域为国家的智力资本做出重大贡献。

Noori Higgins Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research facility, on the campus of Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), is home to the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Constructed in 1941, the building has never been renovated or upgraded substantially. The research activities presently conducted are in the areas of controls and vibrations, fluid dynamics, biomechanics and biofluids, laser holography and metrology, and combustion. Though organized around the traditional disciplines of mechanical engineering, the research conducted addresses emerging area of Critical Technologies, such as Manufacturing, Biomechanics and Thermal Science. Although WPI has an ongoing engineering effort, critical infrastructural deficiencies exit which impinge on the research that is conducted in the facility. This award will provide funding for the renovation of research space for the lower level of the Higgins Laboratory Building. Existing laboratories lack proper and adequate air quality control, electrical power, accessibility, and waste management. Space will be upgraded to consolidate research activities that are currently scattered in small, outdated and compartmentalized facilities. By organizing the available space to encourage exchange, the improvements will facilitate interdisciplinary efforts between all groups. The renovated facility will provide ample space to meet the requirements of the growing numbers of students in the Mechanical Engineering Program at WPI. These trained students, a high percentage of whom are U.S. citizens, will significantly contribute to the Nation's intellectual capital in several Critical Technology areas.