Research Experience for Undergraduates in Mechatronics and Smart Structures

摘要本项目旨在开展一项机电一体化和智能结构的跨学科研究项目，以造福本科生。密苏里大学罗拉分校（UMR）在吸引资助和在这些领域建立最先进的研究设施方面非常成功。UMR的研究人员目前正在与波多黎各Turabo大学（少数民族本科大学）建立合作关系，在机电一体化和智能结构领域进行联合研究。该项目的总体目标是(i)向大三/大四的本科生介绍机电一体化和智能结构的概念，（ii）为来自不同学科的学生在团队中工作的学生提供跨学科的教育经验，（iii）为图拉博大学和其他学校的少数民族学生提供一个独特的机会，在最先进的实验室进行研究。（iv）让正在进行国家级重要领域和技术研究项目的本科生参与。为了实现这些目标，我们的方法将是(i)开发一个为期八周的关于机电一体化和智能结构的暑期课程，（ii）开发团队设计项目，（iii）让研究生作为导师，以及（iv）提供机械系统计算机辅助设计和控制的实践经验。该项目的新颖之处在于少数民族本科生参与多学科研究的发展。＊＊＊

9619992 Rao ABSTRACT The objective of this project is to develop an interdisciplinary research program in mechatronics and smart structures for the benefit of undergraduate students. The University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) has been quite successful in attracting grants and establishing a state-of-the-art research facility in these areas. The researchers at UMR are currently developing a collaborative relationship with the University of Turabo, Puerto Rico (a minority, undergraduate university) to conduct joint research in the field of mechatronics and smart structures. The overall goals of the project being proposed are (i) introduction of mechatronics and smart structures concepts to junior/senior undergraduate students, (ii) development of an interdisciplinary educational experience for students working in teams involving students from different disciplines, (iii) providing a unique opportunity to minority students from the University of Turabo and other schools to conduct research in state-of-the-art laboratories, and (iv) involving undergraduate students with ongoing research programs in areas and technologies of national importance. To accomplish these objectives, our approach will be to (i) develop a eight-week summer course on mechatronics and smart structures, (ii) develop team design projects, (iii) involve graduate students as mentors, and (iv) provide hands-on experience in the computer-aided design and control of mechanical systems. The novel feature of this project is the involvement of minority undergraduate students in the development of a multidisciplinary research experience. ***