Renovation of Research Laboratories in Higgins Laboratory Building

Noori Higgins实验室是伍斯特理工学院（WPI）校园内的一个多学科研究机构，是机械工程系的所在地。该建筑建于1941年，从未进行过实质性的翻新或升级。目前开展的研究活动包括控制和振动、流体动力学、生物力学和生物流体、激光全息和计量以及燃烧。虽然围绕机械工程的传统学科进行组织，但研究涉及关键技术的新兴领域，如制造，生物力学和热科学。尽管WPI正在进行工程努力，但关键的基础设施缺陷仍然存在，这影响了在设施中进行的研究。该奖项将为希金斯实验室大楼低层的研究空间翻新提供资金。现有实验室缺乏适当和充分的空气质量控制、电力、可及性和废物管理。空间将得到升级，以巩固目前分散在小型、过时和分隔的设施中的研究活动。通过组织可用空间来鼓励交流，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WPI机械工程专业学生人数不断增长的需求。这些受过训练的学生中有很大一部分是美国公民，他们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 Space will be upgraded to consolidate research activities that are currently scattered in small, outdated and compartmentalized facilities.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.