MRI-RUI: Acquisition of an X-Ray Diffraction System for Improvement in the Quality of Research and Education in Materials Related Sciences and Engineering

这笔赠款为Rose-Hulman理工学院(RHIT)和周边大学的研究人员提供了使用X光机的机会，该X光机能够(I)为教职员工和学生的研究项目产生可发表的x射线衍射图；(Ii)为学生提供用于基础材料科学和工程的现代研究工具的培训，以及(Iii)激发中学生的科学热情。这笔赠款将通过提供识别由各种制造技术产生的材料和相的能力，支持对新型磁性材料和基于形状记忆合金(SMA)的MEMS器件的研究。磁性材料的研究使用两种制造技术。第一种技术使用改进的碳弧法，在合成过程中1)更快的冷却速度和/或2)更高的压力反应来产生合金化的钐钴/碳纳米颗粒。第二种技术使用溅射和控制退火法来沉积SmCo-C薄膜，这使得在固相成核过程中可以更好地控制颗粒尺寸。在SMA-MEMS领域提出了两个项目：1)电气工程项目，涉及开发肌节(肌肉的构成块)的MEMS模型；2)机械工程项目，开发能够利用余热作为能源的热机。MEMS模型肌节将使用多个SMA-MEMS热致动器以类似于生物肌节的方式移动模型肌节。MEMS热机设计基于SMA的高工作密度，将导致由温度梯度驱动的振荡装置。该资助亦为学生提供使用X射线衍射机的训练，并将加强学生对X射线衍射学理论的认知。最后，中学生将有机会在RHIT的探索工程项目中使用X光机。X光机将有助于研究、培训本科生，并激发所有年龄段的学生的热情。这笔赠款为罗斯-胡尔曼理工学院(RHIT)和周围大学的研究人员提供使用X光机的机会，该X光机能够(I)为教职员工和学生的研究项目产生可发表的结果；(Ii)为学生提供关于基础材料科学和工程中使用的现代研究工具的培训，以及(Iii)激发中学生的科学热情。X光机提供了利用材料研究中所需的新材料的能力。该补助金还为学生提供使用X射线衍射机的培训，并通过改进现有实验和开发新的实验室，加强他们对X射线衍射理论的认知。最后，RHIT探索工程项目的中学生将有机会生成普通材料(如便士)的衍射图案，并使用这些图案来确定材料的组成。X光机将用于研究、培训本科生，并激发所有年龄段的学生的热情。

This grant provides researchers at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT) and surrounding colleges with access to an x-ray machine that is capable of (i) producing publishable x-ray diffraction patterns for faculty and student research projects; (ii) providing students training on a modern research tool used in basic materials science and engineering, and (iii) generating enthusiasm for science in middle school students. The grant will enable research on novel magnetic materials and shape memory alloy (SMA) based MEMS devices by providing the ability to identify the materials and phases produced by various fabrication techniques. The magnetic material research uses two fabrication techniques. The first technique uses a modified carbon-arc technique with 1) faster cooling rates during the synthesis and/or 2) higher pressure reactions to create an alloyed samarium cobalt/carbon nanoparticle. The second technique uses sputtering with controlled annealing to deposit a SmCo-carbon thin film, which allows for more control over particle size during nucleation from the solid phase. Two projects are being proposed in the field of SMA-MEMS: 1) an electrical engineering project involving the development of a MEMS model of a sarcomere (the building block for muscles) and 2) a mechanical engineering project developing a heat engine capable of using waste heat as an energy source. The MEMS model sarcomere will use multiple SMA-MEMS heat actuators to move a model sarcomere in a manner similar to biological sarcomeres. The MEMS heat engine design, based on the high work densities of SMAs, will result in an oscillating device driven by a temperature gradient. The grant also provides training to students in the use of an x-ray diffraction machine and will enhance student cognitive understanding of the theory of x-ray diffraction. Finally, middle school students will have an opportunity to use the x-ray machine in RHIT's Explore Engineering program. The x-ray machine will be useful for research, training undergraduates, and generating enthusiasm in students of all ages.This grant provides researchers at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT) and surrounding colleges with access to an x-ray machine that is capable of (i) producing publishable results for faculty and student research projects; (ii) providing students training on a modern research tool used in basic materials science and engineering, and (iii) generating enthusiasm for science in middle school students. The x-ray machine provides the ability to utilize novel materials that are necessary in materials research. The grant also provides for training of students in the use of an x-ray diffraction machine and enhances their cognitive understanding of the theory of x-ray diffraction through the modification of existing experiments and the development of new laboratories. Finally, middle school students in RHIT's Explore Engineering program will be given the opportunity to generate diffraction patterns of common materials such as pennies and to use these patterns in determining the composition of the materials. The x-ray machine would be useful for research, training undergraduates, and generating enthusiasm in students of all ages.