Laboratory Acquisition Protocols and Standards (LAPS): A Standardized Digital Data System for Experimental Results

该项目将设计和开发一个基于网络的数字资源，题为“实验室采购协议和标准”(LAPS)，以便利公众获取地球物理实验室信息。这些信息包括设备性能、原始和编辑的实验数据、实验室校准以及有关测试方案和程序的信息。数据挖掘技术和机器学习的最新发展使利用和消化大量信息成为可能；然而，这些数据必须首先以有意义的方式进行准备和组织。该项目将初步开发一个带有样本数据的原型数据库资源，供研究人员和公众测试。最后的资源将与新开发的数字数据系统StraBospot兼容，该系统将能够根据关键标准比较实地数据和实验数据。LAPS资源将有助于提高科学和技术研究的质量，例如：1.实验室管理人员将能够使用标准化测试协议比较数据，以提高数据质量；2.数据分析员将能够使用新算法快速检查大量实验数据，并可能发现以前未被注意到的现象和相关性；以及3.教师将能够实时搜索和访问实验数据，以说明课堂上讨论的概念。实验室数据对于检验和完善地球科学中的理论和模型是必不可少的。然而，这些数据目前无法以数字、可搜索的形式访问，限制了其用途。最近开发了一个名为StraboSpot的数字数据系统，将现场和微观结构数据合并在一起，并向公众提供。通过整合岩石力学和特性的实验室实验数据，StraboSpot的实用性将进一步增强。然而，专业实验室种类繁多，许多都遵循自己的程序和标准。该项目的目标是将在任何实验室进行的岩石力学实验的相关数据和元数据整合到StraboSpot系统中，以便任何感兴趣的各方都可以公开访问和搜索这些数据。该项目将建立一种连贯和有效的方式来描述各种测试台和装置上的设备和实验，以促进实验地球物理中的通信和共同标准。该项目的目标包括为广泛的地球科学界发布数据和改善实验室间的交流。具体的研究目标包括：1.收集实验室特定程序、需求和当前工作流程的数据；2.通过社区输入概述和描述实验数据的元数据结构、属性、格式和限制；3.为实验社区的利益建立实验系统及其能力的清单；4.发布应用程序和工具以帮助与StraboSpot集成；5.通过将应用程序集成到岩石变形实验室的工作流中来展示系统的能力；和6.记录项目主页的持续进展。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，被认为值得支持。

The project will design and develop a web-based digital resource, entitled Laboratory Acquisition Protocols and Standards (LAPS), to facilitate public access to geophysical laboratory information. This information includes equipment capabilities, original and edited experimental data, laboratory calibrations, as well as information about testing protocols and procedures. Recent developments in data mining techniques and machine learning have made it possible to utilize and digest large amounts of information; yet such data must be initially prepared and structured in a meaningful way. This project will initially develop a prototype database resource with sample data, which will be available for testing by researchers and the public. The final resource will be compatible with Strabospot, a newly developed digital data system, which will enable the comparison of field and experimental data based on key criteria. The LAPS resource will help improve the quality of scientific and technical studies, such that: 1. Laboratory managers will be able to compare data using standardized testing protocols in order to improve data quality; 2. Data analysts will be able to quickly examine large sets of experimental data using new algorithms and potentially discover previously unnoticed phenomena and correlations; and 3. teachers will be able to search and access experimental data in real-time to illustrate concepts discussed in the classroom. Laboratory data are essential for testing and refining theories and models in the Earth sciences. Yet, this data is currently not accessible in digital, searchable form, limiting its utility. Recently a digital data system, StraboSpot, was developed to incorporate field and microstructural data and make it available to the public. The utility of StraboSpot will be further enhanced by the integration of data from laboratory experiments on rock mechanics and properties. However, there are a wide variety of specialized laboratories, and many follow their own procedures and standards. The goal of this project is to integrate relevant data and metadata from rock mechanics experiments conducted at any laboratory into the StraboSpot system so that the data is openly accessible and searchable by any interested party. This project will establish a coherent and effective way to describe equipment and experiments across a variety of testing rigs and devices to facilitate communication and common standards in experimental geophysics. Goals of the project include publishing data for the broad Earth science community and improving interlaboratory communication. Specific research objectives include: 1. Collecting data for lab specific procedures, needs, and current workflows; 2. Outlining and describing metadata structure, attributes, formats, and restrictions for experimental data via community input; 3. Building an inventory of experimental systems and their capabilities for the benefit of the experimental community; 4. Publishing applications and tools to aid integration with StraboSpot; 5. Demonstrating the capabilities of the system by integrating the applications into the workflows of rock deformation laboratories; and 6. Documenting ongoing progress on the project’s homepage.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.