MRI: Acquisition of a Digital Imaging Correlation System to Advance Research, Training and Education in Engineering

通过这项主要的研究仪器拨款，将获得一个数字成像相关（DIC）系统，该系统可提供非接触式、全场2D或3D应变或位移测量。这些数据为一些科学和工程研究应用提供了必要的知识，从而将推动各个领域的最新技术。来自机械、海洋、土木、电气和材料工程的教师将使用该系统在准静态和高变形率下进行实验，并通过将该系统与扫描电子显微镜或原子力显微镜集成，在从宏观尺度到纳米尺度的多个尺寸尺度上进行实验。通过每个项目，将创造广泛的知识价值，从表征各种金属，结构和生物力学材料的行为，到美国道路桥梁的结构健康监测，再到评估微观和纳米尺度的变形。这些项目结合了基础和应用研究方法，以推进给定领域的现有知识基础。通过这笔赠款将产生几个更广泛的影响。首先，研究生和本科生将接受使用这种先进设备的培训。此外，项目和DIC系统的成果将被纳入不同学科的几个工程课程。计划开设定量图像可视化和无损检测研究生课程。作为几个工程部门之间的共享工具，DIC系统将促进教师和学生之间在研究和教学方面的互动。各种各样的研究成果带来的社会效益是多方面的，从增加鲸鱼数量，到帮助外科医生在手术中密封大血管，再到提高残疾人的沟通能力。最后，来自少数民族高中的女教员和教师研究经验参与者将尝试通过以这种设备为重点的外展活动来解决工程中的多样性问题。

Through this major research instrumentation grant, a Digital Imaging Correlation (DIC) system, which provides non-contact, full-field 2D or 3D strain or displacement measurements, will be acquired. Such data provides essential knowledge for several scientific and engineering research applications and thus will advance the state-of-the-art in various fields. Faculty members from Mechanical, Ocean, Civil, Electrical and Materials Engineering will use the system to conduct experiments under both quasi-static and high deformation rates and at multiple size scales, from the macroscale to the nanoscale through the integration of the system with a Scanning Electron Microscope or an Atomic Force Microscope. Through each project, extensive intellectual merits will be created, from characterizing the behavior of various metallic, structural, and biomechanic materials, to structural health monitoring of bridges on U.S. roadways, to evaluating deformation at the micro- and nanoscales. The projects combine both fundamental and applied research approaches to advance the current knowledge base in the given fields. Several broader impacts will be created through this grant. First, graduate and undergraduate research students will be trained on and use this advanced equipment. Furthermore, the results from projects and the DIC system will be incorporated into several engineering courses from various disciplines. Graduate courses on quantitative image visualization and non-destructive testing are planned. As a shared instrument between several engineering departments, the DIC system will promote interactions amongst faculty members and students with respect to both research and teaching. The societal benefits from the various research efforts are eclectic from increasing whale populations, to assisting surgeons with large vessel sealing during surgeries, to enhancing the ability of disabled individuals to communicate. Finally, women faculty members and Research Experience for Teacher participants from minority high schools will attempt to address diversity issues in engineering through outreach activities which focus on this equipment.