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

詹姆斯麦迪逊大学（JMU）的综合科学与技术计划（ISAT）以多学科课程为特色，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，旨在提供有效的实践机会，以项目为导向，以学生为中心的学习，加强ISAT计划中引入的概念和技能。IDTTL提供高级主题和新兴测量技术的研究，促进跨学科环境中团队和沟通技巧的发展，并为本科生提供专业活动，包括撰写论文，在会议上发表演讲和参加暑期实习。IDTTL正在进行的一系列项目目前由NASA支持，包括(i)镀铝薄膜聚合物膜的热结构响应的非接触式测量，应用于遮阳板，太阳帆和薄膜光学；（ii）用于测量对流层一氧化碳的成像气体过滤器相关辐射计（GFCR）的开发。该实验室还开发了制造过程控制、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关键参数的测量，其中与目标对象的接触要么是不可能的，要么会改变所需的参数。所要求的设备包括多镜头红外成像仪、半球形定向反射计、激光测振仪、激振器和带冷板的真空室。这些仪器将提高实验室的能力，使本科生和教师导师有机会推进现有的研究，并为未来的研究准备比其他方法更有竞争力的建议。这些设备还将被纳入新的课程实验活动中，所有ISAT专业的学生都将从中受益，JMU其他院系（包括物理、化学、生物和地质）的本科生和教师将被邀请使用这些设备。IDTTL将提高其作为其他学院和大学的典范地位，希望发展一个跨学科的研究实验室，能够进行有价值的研究和开发，并为本科生提供非凡的学习经验。

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.