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

该项目的目标是提供各种材料系统导热系数的测量和分析，为理解用于光伏和热电系统的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(包括本科生和研究生)都可以使用这个设施，作为洁净室的设施。智力上的好处是让整个校园内的所有机构都可以使用这种仪器，以及其他合法的研究和培训目的。虽然主要集中在本科项目上，但教职员工高度多样化，开展高级研究，以加强多学科的材料工程硕士项目。因此，研究生在教职员工的指导下参与到高质量的研究活动中。一个具体的目标是扩大参与研究的学生人数，特别是本科生，并增加少数族裔学生继续攻读博士学位的人数。更广泛的影响是促进微米和纳米制造的研究，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。收购该仪器的一个非常重要的结果将影响阿拉巴马农业和机械大学绝大多数学生中传统上代表人数较少的少数族裔不断发展的职业生涯。

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.