RUI/MRI: Acquistion of Equipment to Establish an Aerogel Fabrication, Charaterization and Applications Laboratory

这笔拨款将建立一个跨学科的合作设施，气凝胶制造、表征和应用实验室（AFCAL），供联合学院机械工程和化学系的教职员工和学生研究人员使用。气凝胶是一种脆弱的纳米结构，由大约90-99%的空气（体积比）组成，包含在一个复杂的孔隙结构中，孔径主要在2到50纳米范围内。气凝胶是由高度交联的聚合反应和干燥相形成的。聚合过程形成一个被液体（溶胶-凝胶）包围的固体网络。干燥过程除去液体，留下一个精致的孔隙结构。这种孔隙结构使气凝胶具有已知固体材料中最低的密度、折射率、热导率、电导率和声导率。所提供的资金将用于购买实施两种气凝胶制造技术所需的设备：自动压力和温度控制液压机和临界点干燥系统；以及表征这些气凝胶的设备：热常数分析仪、气体吸附系统、积分球分光光度计和荧光光谱仪。AFCAL设施将供机械工程和化学专业的教师和学生使用：(1)进一步发展一种新的气凝胶制备技术，开展化学试剂和工艺变量对气凝胶纳米结构影响的基础研究；(2)表征二氧化硅气凝胶的热学和光学性质；(3)利用荧光光谱技术开展气凝胶结构的基础研究；(4)开发无机-有机闪烁体复合材料，开展气凝胶包合化学的基础研究。联合学院机械工程和化学系在引导学生在其学术生涯形成阶段进行研究，为学生提供为研究生学习成功提供必要背景的课程，并将这些学生成功地安置在研究生课程和工业职位方面具有卓越的历史。因此，这些部门对这个国家的科学基础设施产生了影响。这四个联合项目将继续让本科生参与他们的研究，包括来自传统上代表性不足的群体的学生，并鼓励他们的学生考虑在工程和科学相关领域攻读研究生，并以研究为职业。

This grant will establish an interdisciplinary collaborative facility, the Aerogel Fabrication, Characterization, and Applications Lab (AFCAL), for faculty and student researchers in the Mechanical Engineering and Chemistry Departments at Union College. An aerogel is a fragile nanostructure consisting of approximately 90-99% air (volume ratio), contained in an intricate pore structure with pore sizes primarily in the 2 to 50 nm range. An aerogel is formed by a highly cross-linked polymerization reaction and drying phase. The polymerization process forms a solid network surrounded by a liquid (sol-gel). The drying process removes the liquid and leaves behind a delicate pore structure. This pore structure gives aerogels the lowest known density, index of refraction, thermal, electrical, and acoustical conductivities of any solid material.The funds provided will purchase the equipment necessary to implement two aerogel fabrication techniques: an automated pressure and temperature controlled hydraulic press and a critical point drying system; and equipment to characterize those aerogels: a thermal constants analyzer, a gas adsorption system, an integrating sphere spectrophotometer, and a fluorescence spectrometer.The AFCAL facility will be used by faculty and students in Mechanical Engineering and Chemistry to: (1) further develop a new aerogel fabrication technique and perform fundamental studies on the effects of chemical reagents and process variables on the aerogel nanostructure, (2) characterize the thermal and optical properties of silica aerogels, (3) use fluorescence spectroscopy to perform fundamental studies of aerogel structure & applications of aerogels to chemical sensing, and (4) develop inorganic-organic scintillator composites and perform fundamental studies of the inclusion chemistry of aerogels.The Union College Mechanical Engineering and Chemistry Departments have a demonstrated history of excellence in introducing students to research at a formative stage of their academic careers, providing students with coursework that provides the necessary background for success in graduate studies, and placing these students successfully in graduate programs and industrial positions. As a result, these departments have had an impact on the scientific infrastructure of this nation. The four co-PI's will continue to involve undergraduate students in their research, including students from traditionally underrepresented groups, and to encourage their students to consider graduate studies in engineering- and science-related fields and careers in research.