"Research Initiation Award: Enhancement of Research and Education in Computational Nanomechanics and Nanoscale Testing at Tuskegee University"

研究启动奖（RIAs）为历史上黑人学院和大学（HBCU）的初级教师提供支持，他们开始建立研究计划，以及需要重新指导和重新建立研究计划的中期教师。 预计该奖项将有助于进一步提高教师的研究能力和效率，改善研究人员所在机构的研究和教学，并使本科生参与研究经验。塔斯基吉大学的RIA项目，在材料科学与工程系（MSE）内，发展其在计算纳米力学和纳米尺度测试方面的研究能力，这些研究领域对于深入了解纳米填料与基质材料的相互作用及其在增强复合材料结构的机械性能方面的作用至关重要。通过该项目开展的具体活动包括：1）建立具有SWCNT和Epon分子之间的各种交联量和具有不同直径的SWCNT的初始结构，2）测定羧基（COOH）官能化的SWCNT和Epon复合材料之间的界面结合能和摩擦应力，3）作为COOH-SWCNT和Epon复合材料之间的化学键密度的函数的摩擦应力的测量，4）这些应力如何与COOH-SWCNT的表面积成比例的定量，5）使用纤维拔出和纳米压痕测试来确定界面强度，以比较剪切强度与MD模拟中观察到的SWCNT尺寸和界面键密度的趋势，以及6）本科生参与本研究。该项目是与威斯康星大学麦迪逊分校的合作，空军研究实验室和美国国家科学基金会资助的亚拉巴马大学的信息技术材料（MINT）中心。 RIA允许TU引入新的研究领域和学术课程，以培养能够在全球市场上成功竞争的本科生。 该机构拥有强大的基础设施和专业知识，在军事，汽车，体育，民用和医疗保健行业感兴趣的先进材料的各个方面进行尖端研究。 除了通过在STEM中纳入和发展代表性不足的少数民族来扩大参与外，该机构还在地理上扩大了STEM的参与，作为刺激竞争性研究的实验计划（EPSCoR）的管辖范围。的实施将在几个地点，包括出版物在裁判期刊和介绍，包括学生的研究报告，在国家和国际会议。

Research Initiation Awards (RIAs) provide support for junior faculty at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) who are starting to build a research program, as well as for mid-career faculty who need to re-direct and re-build a research program. It is expected that the award helps to further the faculty member's research capability and effectiveness, improves research and teaching at the researcher's home institution, and involves undergraduate students in research experiences.Tuskegee University's RIA project, within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), develops its research capabilities in Computational Nanomechanics and Nanoscale Testing, areas of research which are essential to the development of a deeper understanding of the interaction of nano fillers with the matrix materials and their role in enhancing the mechanical properties of composite structures. Specific activities undertaken through this project include: 1) Setting up the initial structure with various amounts of cross-linking between SWCNT and Epon molecule and with varying diameters of SWCNT, 2) Determination of interfacial binding energy and frictional stresses between carboxylic (COOH) functionalized SWCNT and Epon composites,3) Measurement of frictional stresses as a function of the density of chemical bonds between COOH-SWCNT and Epon composites, 4) Quantification of how these stresses scale with the surface area of COOH-SWCNT, 5) Determination of interfacial strength using fiber pull-out and nanoindentation tests to compare the trends in shear strength with respect to SWCNT size and density of interfacial bonds observed in MD simulations, and6) Involvement of undergraduate students in this research.The project is a collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Air Force Research Laboratory and the NSF funded Materials for Information Technology (MINT) Center at University of Alabama.Development of a competent and diverse workforce in MSE is very critical for the United States to maintain global competitive edge. The RIA allows TU to introduce new research areas and academic courses to prepare undergraduate students who can compete successfully in the global market. A robust infrastructure and expertise exists at the institution in cutting-edge research in various aspects of advanced materials that are of interest to the military, automobile, sports, civil and healthcare industries. In addition to broadening participation through the inclusion and development of underrepresented minorities in STEM, the institution broadens participation in STEM geographically as an Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) jurisdiction.Dissemination of research and education outcomes generated from the project?s implementation will be available in several venues including publications in refereed journals and presentations, including student research presentations, at national and international conferences.