MRI: Acquisition of Advanced Laser PIT Thermal Diffusivity Instrument for Advanced Research on Hybrid Photovoltaic-Thermoelectric and Thermoelectric Devices

该计划的目标是提供各种材料系统导热系数的测量和分析，为理解光伏和热电系统中潜在应用的材料系统提供有用的方向和新的维度。所有级别的学生（本科生和研究生）都可以像使用洁净室的设施一样使用该设施。智力上的优点是使这个工具在整个校园和其他合法的研究和训练目的，在附近的所有机构可用。虽然主要以本科项目为主，但教师队伍高度多元化，以开展先进的研究，以加强材料工程的多学科硕士课程。因此，研究生在教师的指导下参与高质量的研究活动。一个具体的目标是扩大学生的数量，特别是本科生，参与研究，并增加少数民族学生继续接受博士学位教育的人数。更广泛的影响是推进微纳米制造的研究，增加教育机会，为本科生和研究生提供实践培训，并为大学的研究和教育目标做出贡献。获得该仪器的一个非常重要的结果将影响传统上代表性不足的少数民族的职业发展，这些少数民族占阿拉巴马农业机械大学绝大多数学生的绝大多数。

The objective of this program is to provide the measurements and analysis of thermal conductivity of various material systems for a useful direction and a new dimension in understanding material systems to be used for potential applications in photovoltaic and thermoelectric systems. Students at all levels (both undergraduate and graduate) will have access to this facility as the facilities in the Clean Room. The intellectual merit is to make available this instrument for across the campus and other legitimate research and training purposes to all institutions in the neighborhood. Although primary thrust goes to the undergraduate program, the faculty members are highly diversified to conduct advanced research to enhance multidisciplinary Master's program in Materiel Engineering. Thus, the graduate students are involved in the high quality research activities under the guidance of the faculty members. A specific objective is to expand the numbers of students, particularly undergraduate students, participating in research, and increase the numbers of minority students continuing their education towards the Ph.D. degree.The broader impacts are to advance research in micro- and nano-fabrication, enhance educational opportunities and provide hands-on training to both undergraduate and graduate students, and contribute to the research and educational goals of the University. A very important result of the acquisition of the instrument will impact the advancing careers of traditionally underrepresented minorities that comprise the overwhelming majority of the students at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University.