CAREER: The Mechanics of Web Handling

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This CAREER proposal combines a research program on the fundamentalmechanics of web handing systems with two curriculum development projects.The research development plan in web handling is motivated by the needs ofcompanies in many industries, including 3M, Kodak, Procter & Gamble, and SRSTechnologies, to better understand and more rapidly process thin, flexiblematerial. These handling processes produce a wide variety of products suchas carpet, fabric, shrink-wrap, diapers, and paper towel. Universal issuesthat prevent more efficient operation-such as slip in wound rolls,wrinkling, creasing, and vibration-will be studied. The fundamentalquestions answered by this research will allow companies to more rapidly andefficiently produce their products. The curriculum development plan has twomajor thrusts. The first thrust will be the development of two uniquecourses concerning the mathematical modelling of solids and structures.These courses will expose students to modelling issues that occur in thestudy of web handling systems and throughout engineering. The second thrustwill be an extensive overhaul of Penn States required undergraduatevibrations course. One section will be combined with the optionalvibrations laboratory class. Additionally, the studio concept, combininglecture, laboratory and recitation into one educational experience, will beintroduced. Along with traditional lectures, small teams of students willuse classroom computers to complete activities, allowing them to morethoroughly learn the subject.