Collaborative Research thru NSF I/UCRC Full Grant: Center for the Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI)

复合材料融入基础设施中心IIP-0934097西弗吉尼亚大学GangaRao IIP-0934182北卡罗来纳州立大学Rizkalla IIP-0933996罗格斯大学(RU)巴拉古鲁IIP-0933537迈阿密大学(UM)Nanni该奖项由2009年美国复苏和再投资法案(公法第111-5)资助。这项建议的目的是启动新的I/UCRC“复合材料融入基础设施(CiCi)”，重点是在民用和军用结构中引入复合材料的应用和具有成本效益的修复计划。拟建中心的牵头机构是西弗吉尼亚大学，俄亥俄州立大学、国立CSU大学和密歇根大学是研究伙伴。这一新的IUCRC将专注于为特定应用创造新产品，如预制复合材料桥面和路面面板，以及保护系统，以延长因地震和恐怖袭击等自然灾害和人为灾害而损坏的基础设施的使用寿命。复合材料加工的进步将带来环境效益，因为估计表明，天然纤维基复合材料可以以可比钢材BTU水平的四分之一制造，同样，自清洁结构复合材料将有助于氧化汽车尾气。该中心将整合所有四所大学的优势互补的科学努力，以推进复合知识库和应用程序。该中心的活动将提高美国工业在复合材料领域的国际竞争力，包括使用自然和生物材料的模块化结构和快速部署技术；从而减少向大气中的碳排放。国家作为一个整体将受益，因为复合材料和混合材料的使用通常会带来更高的安全性、更短的建造时间和更长的寿命，同时减少总成本，创造新的就业机会。该中心计划通过接触每所大学的本科生人口，从代表性不足的群体中招收研究生，包括少数民族和妇女。此外，历史上的黑人学院和大学将被联系，以招募他们的学生参加中心活动。PIS还计划在各种期刊和会议上发表文章，以促进科学研究和知识传播，并将利用单独的资助机制来教育不熟悉复合材料的执业工程师和最终用户。

Center for the Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI) IIP-0934097 West Virginia University GangaRao IIP-0934182 North Carolina State University (NCSU) Rizkalla IIP-0933996 Rutgers University (RU) Balaguru IIP-0933537 University of Miami (UM) Nanni This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). The purpose of this proposal is to start a new I/UCRC "Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI)" with a focus on ushering applications and cost-effective rehabilitation schemes using composites in civil and military structures. The lead institution of the proposed Center is WVU with RU, NCSU and UM as research partners. This new IUCRC will focus on creating new products for specific applications such as pre-cast composite bridge decks and pavement panels, and protection systems to increase the service life of infrastructure damaged by natural and man-made disasters such as earthquake and terror attack. Advances in processing of composites will lead to environmental benefits, as estimates indicate that natural fiber based composites can be manufactured at one-fourth the BTU level of comparable steel sections, and similarly self-cleaning structural composites will help oxidize car exhaust. The Center will integrate scientific endeavors complementing the strengths of all four universities to advance the composite knowledgebase and applications. The center activities will enhance the international competitiveness of the American industry in the area of composites including modular construction and rapid deployment techniques using natural and bio-materials; thus reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere. The Nation as a whole would benefit as composite and hybrid material use would, in general, lead to structures of higher safety, shorter construction times and longer life spans at a reduced overall cost with the creation of new job opportunities. The Center plans to recruit graduate students from under-represented groups, including minorities and women by reaching out to the undergraduate student population at each university. In addition, Historically Black Colleges and Universities will be contacted to recruit their students for center activities. The PIs also plan to publish in various journals and conferences to promote the scientific research and knowledge dissemination, and will utilize separate funding mechanisms to educate practicing engineers and end users who are not familiar with composites.