Acquisition of Test Equipment for Non-Contact Measurement of Thermal and Mechanical Properties

詹姆斯麦迪逊大学(JMU)的综合科学与技术课程(ISAT)以多学科课程为特色，非常强调实践和基于项目的学习。红外开发和测试实验室(IDTTL)于1997年在ISAT成立，旨在提供有效的动手、以项目为导向、以学生为中心的学习机会，以加强ISAT计划中引入的概念和技能。IDTTL提供了先进主题和新兴测量技术的研究途径，促进了跨学科环境中团队和沟通技能的发展，并为本科生提供了专业活动，包括撰写论文、在会议上发表演讲和参加暑期实习。目前，IDTTL正在进行的一系列项目由NASA支持，包括(I)非接触测量镀铝薄膜聚合物薄膜的热结构响应，应用于太阳罩、太阳帆和薄膜光学，以及(Ii)开发用于测量对流层一氧化碳的成像气体滤光片相关辐射计(GFCR)。该实验室还开发用于制造过程控制、锅炉分析和预测性维护的非接触式技术。连接这些项目的共同主线是在无法与目标物体接触或将改变所需参数的情况下测量关键参数。所需设备包括多透镜红外成像仪、半球定向反射仪、激光测振仪、振动器和带冷板的真空室。这些仪器将提升实验室的能力，并允许本科生和教师导师有机会推进现有研究，并为未来的研究准备比其他情况下更具竞争力的建议。这些设备还将被纳入新课程的实验室活动，所有ISAT专业的学生都将从中受益，JMU物理、化学、生物和地质等其他系的本科生和教职员工将被邀请使用这些仪器。IDTTL将提高其作为其他高校的典范的地位，这些高校希望发展一个能够进行有价值的研究和开发并为本科生提供非凡学习体验的跨学科研究实验室。

The Program of Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT) at James Madison University (JMU) features a multi-disciplinary curriculum that places a strong emphasis on hands-on, project-based learning. The Infrared Development and Testing Laboratory (IDTTL) was established at ISAT in 1997 to provide opportunities for effective hands-on, project-oriented, student-centered learning that reinforces concepts and skills introduced within the ISAT program. The IDTTL provides access to research in advanced topics and emerging measurement technologies, fosters development of teaming and communication skills in an interdisciplinary environment, and avails undergraduates of professional activities including writing papers, presentation at conferences, and participation in summer internships.A suite of projects ongoing in the IDTTL is presently supported by NASA including (i) non-contact measurement of the thermal-structural response of an aluminized thin-film polymer membrane, with application to sunshields, solar sails, and membrane optics and (ii) development of an imaging gas-filter correlation radiometer (GFCR) for measurement of tropospheric carbon monoxide. The laboratory also develops non-contact techniques for manufacturing process control, boiler analyses, and predictive maintenance. The common thread connecting these projects is the measurement of critical parameters where contact with the target object is either impossible or will alter the desired parameters.The equipment requested includes an infrared imager with multiple lenses, hemispherical directional reflectometer, laser vibrometer, shaker, and vacuum chamber with cold plate. These instruments will elevate the capability of the laboratory and allow undergraduates and faculty mentors the opportunity to advance existing studies, and to prepare proposals for future studies that are more competitive than would otherwise be possible. The equipment will also be incorporated into new course laboratory activities through which all ISAT majors will benefit, and undergraduates and faculty from other departments at JMU, including physics, chemistry, biology, and geology, will be invited to utilize these instruments. The IDTTL will improve its stature as a model for other colleges and universities that wish to develop an interdisciplinary research laboratory capable of conducting valuable research and development and providing undergraduates an extraordinary learning experience.