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

本计画将发展实操实验和解释性材料，训练学生基于输运和水动力不稳定性的概念，分析输运现象中的多个长度和时间尺度。实验主要由简单的桌面演示组成，具有灵活性和可变性。该材料以WEBCT格式提供，并使用图片论证、缩放论证和数学分析来解释实验现象，并通过动画和应用于工程、日常经验和自然现象来加强。每个实验和附带的材料都是独立的，可以以模块或模块组的形式导出到热、质量和动量输运类。这些实验和视频剪辑正在制作中，以便它们在化学、机械、材料、生物医学工程和工程物理课程中使用。拟议原型的受益者是本科生和教师。这些实验对视觉直观的学生特别有帮助，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型学生，并激发了这两类学生的创造力。教授从中获益，因为他们期望动手做的实验能使讲课生动起来，并保持学生的兴趣。目前正在课堂环境中测试这些原型，并在项目的形成和执行阶段进行评价。建议的知识价值：建议的活动是基于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。智力上的优点在于，受影响的观众实际上学会了成为知识分子，而不是数字运算的技术人员。建议的更广泛影响：建议的研究鼓励本科生和研究生参与教材的开发。因此，学生们被鼓励参与教育过程，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还向爱达荷大学（University of Idaho）发送材料，该校一名教员正在该校的流体流动和输送课程中试用这些材料。这两所大学都有大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.