MRI: Acquisition of a High-mix, Low-volume PCB Assembly System

该项目收购了一种针对研究原型环境进行优化的高混合、低容量的印刷电路板(PCB)组装系统。该组装系统为大学社区及其合作伙伴提供的新核心设施奠定了基础，加快了水下网络、自主成像、机器人、可再生能源、无处不在计算等领域的进步。它加强了现有的电子学本科课程和嵌入式设计研究生课程。它不仅是每门课程中有价值的原型工具，而且为将面向制造的设计引入课程奠定了基础。因此，该系统有助于培养下一代科学家和工程师，他们将支持南佛罗里达州的创业活动。该仪器支持行业赞助的研究项目，包括：设计、实施和评估低成本、高保真的无线传感系统，用于监测二氧化碳浓度以实现需求控制通风；以及无线系统，用于监测压力瞬变和预测市政供水系统的泄漏。这项工作涉及的研究工作包括水下网络、水感分析、海洋可再生能源等。该组装系统支持以下项目的设计、实施和评估：-水下定位和通信的实用解决方案；-无GPS定位和导航的新方法；-用于水下成像检测和分类的自主光学和声学系统；-用于大规模监测水产养殖渔业的自主空中/陆地/水上机器人平台；-用于在动态负载和来自海洋洋流的能量下进行无电池传感的新硬件平台。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，认为值得支持。

This project acquires a high-mix, low volume printed circuit board (PCB) assembly system optimized for a research prototyping environment. This assembly system forms the basis for a new core facility that will be available to the university community and its partners, accelerating advancement in underwater networking, autonomous imaging, robotics, renewable energy, ubiquitous computing, and other areas. It enhances an existing undergraduate course in electronics and a graduate course in embedded design. It not only serves as a valuable prototyping tool in each course, but provides the foundation for introducing design for manufacturing into the curriculum. Hence, the system contributes to educating the next generation of scientists and engineers who will support entrepreneurial activities in South Florida.The instrument supports industry-sponsored research projects that include: the design, implementation, and evaluation of a low-cost, high-fidelity, wireless sensing system for monitoring carbon dioxide concentrations for demand-controlled ventilation; and a wireless system for monitoring pressure transients and forecasting leaks in municipal water distribution systems. The work involves research efforts that include, among others, underwater networking, water-sensing analysis, marine renewable energy. The assembly system supports the design, implementation, and evaluation of:- A practical solution for underwater localization and communication;- A new approach to GPS-free localization and navigation; - An autonomous optical and acoustic system for underwater imaging detection and classification;- An autonomous aerial/terrestrial/water robotics platform for large-scale monitoring of aquaculture fisheries; - A new hardware platform for battery-free sensing under dynamic load and energy from ocean currents.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.