Tinker With and Think About Transport Phenomena-Using Experiments and Dimensionless Groups to Understand Nonlinear Interactions Via a "Proof of Concept Proposal"

这个项目正在开发动手实验和讲解材料，培训学生根据运输和流体动力不稳定性的概念，分析运输现象中的多种长度和时间尺度。这些实验大多由简单的桌面演示组成，既具有灵活性，又具有可变性。这些材料以WebCT格式提供，使用图片论点、比例论点和数学分析来解释实验现象，并通过动画和对工程、日常经验和自然现象的应用来加强。每个实验和伴随的材料都是独立的，可以在模块中或模块组中输出到热、质量和动量传输类中。这些实验和视频剪辑被设计成对化学、机械、材料、生物医学工程和工程物理的课程有用。提议的原型的受益者是本科生和教职员工。对于视觉直观的学生来说，这些实验特别有帮助，他们的欣赏不在于数学模型，而在于艺术形式和现象背后的物理。然而，它们也有利于分析演绎的学生，并激发两种类型的学生的创造力。教授收获颇丰，因为动手实验有望活跃课堂气氛，并保持学生的兴趣。样机正在教室环境中进行测试，并在项目的形成和执行阶段进行评估。提议的智力优点：拟议的活动基于PI二十多年的研究经验。学生们正在学习创造性地思考，并将运输现象视为不仅仅是一门可以容忍的数学学科。智力上的好处在于，受影响的受众实际上是学习成为知识分子，而不是处理数字的技术人员。该提议的广泛影响：拟议的研究鼓励本科生和研究生参与教育材料的开发。因此，鼓励学生参与教育过程，并将教学和研究视为职业。在这个概念验证阶段，该项目的结果正在佛罗里达大学进行试验。PI还将向爱达荷大学发送材料，那里的一名教职员工正在尝试一门关于流体流动和运输的课程。这两所大学都有相当数量的女性和少数民族学生。通过电子媒体和主要会议进行传播。

This project is developing hands-on experiments and explanatory material that train students in analyzing multiple length and time scales in transport phenomena based on ideas of transport and hydrodynamic instabilities. The experiments mostly comprise of simple tabletop demonstrations and have both flexibility and variability. The material is being made available in a WEBCT format and explains experimental phenomena using picture arguments, scaling arguments and mathematical analysis and is fortified with animations and applications to engineering, everyday experience and natural phenomena. Each experiment and accompanying material is a stand-alone and can be exported in modules or in groups of modules to classes in heat, mass and momentum transport. These experiments and video clips are being constructed so that they are of use to curricula in chemical, mechanical, materials, and biomedical engineering, and engineering physics.The beneficiaries of the proposed prototype are undergraduate students and faculty alike. The experiments are particularly helpful for the visual intuitive student whose appreciation does not lie in the mathematical model, rather in the art form and in the physics underlying the phenomena. Yet, they also benefits the analytical deductive student and stir up creativity in both types of students. The professor gains because the hands-on experiments are expected to liven up the lectures and sustain the interest of the student. The prototypes are being be tested in a classroom setting and evaluations are being conducted both during the formative and execution phases of the project.Intellectual Merit of the Proposal: The proposed activity is based on over twenty years of research experience of the PI. The students are learning to think creatively and view transport phenomena as more than a mathematical subject to be tolerated. The intellectual merit lies in the fact that the affected audience actually learns to become intellectuals instead of number-crunching technicians.Broader Impacts of the Proposal: The proposed study encourages the participation of undergraduate students and graduate students in the development of the educational materials. As a result, students are being encouraged to participate in the education process and consider teaching and research as a career. In this Proof of Concept phase, the results of the project are being tried at the University of Florida. The PI is also sending materials to the University of Idaho where one of their faculty members is trying the materials in a course on fluid flow and transport. Both universities have substantial numbers of women and minority students. Dissemination is via the electronic media and major conferences.