MRI: Acquisition of a Cryogenic Physical Properties Measurement System for Geophysical and Magnetic Materials Research

重大研究仪器(MRI)奖将支持收购Quantum Design VersaLab物理特性测量系统(VersaLab-PPMS)。该仪器将用于支持位于明尼苏达州穆尔黑德的康科迪亚学院的教职员工研究和教学实验室(物理高级实验室、材料科学和地质学)，该学院是一家非博士授予机构。VersaLab-PPMS是一种多功能仪器，能够在50-1000K的温度范围内进行电、磁和热性质的测量。安装在康科迪亚学院的仪器还将服务于北达科他州和明尼苏达州西北部的一个地区高等教育机构联盟。研究人员将在夏季和整个正常学年让本科生对广泛的材料进行动手调查，从而培养下一代科学家。该合同将支持收购由Quantum Design，Inc.(加利福尼亚州圣迭戈)制造的VersaLab物理性能测量系统(VersaLab-PPMS)，该系统将安装在明尼苏达州穆尔黑德的康科迪亚学院物理系。该设备拥有3特斯拉无低温超导磁体，可以在很宽的温度范围内(50-1000K)测量材料的电、磁和热性能。VersaLab系统将提高首席调查员可能进行的研究的质量和范围，并加快收集数据的速度。具体的研究主题包括：(1)经热处理的氧化铁晶型的磁性；(2)氧化铁结构中外来元素的影响；(3)受控环境中氧化铁的转化与其在环境条件下的转变；以及(4)磁性纳米材料的性质。该设备还将通过在材料科学、高级实验室和地质学课程中增加教学实验室活动来支持康科迪亚学院的物理课程，从而进一步促进我们使用现代技术和技术培训下一代科学家的使命。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 Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) award will support the acquisition of a Quantum Design VersaLab Physical Property Measurement System (VersaLab - PPMS). The instrument will be used to support faculty research and teaching laboratories (physics advanced laboratory, materials science, and geology) at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, a non-Ph.D. granting institution. The VersaLab – PPMS is a versatile instrument, capable of conducting electrical, magnetic, and thermal properties measurements in the temperature range of 50 – 1000 K. The apparatus installed at Concordia College will also serve a regional consortium of higher education institutions in North Dakota and Northwest Minnesota. The researchers will engage undergraduate students in hands-on investigations of a broad range of materials during the summer and throughout the regular school year, thus training the next generation of scientists. This award will support the acquisition of a VersaLab Physical Property Measurement System (VersaLab – PPMS), made by Quantum Design, Inc (San Diego, CA), and to be housed in the Physics Department at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. The equipment has a 3 Tesla cryogen-free superconducting magnet and can measure electrical, magnetic, and thermal properties of materials over a broad temperature range (50 – 1000 K). The VersaLab system will enhance the quality and scope of research possible by the Principal Investigators and increase the speed at which data is collected. Specific research topics include the investigation of (1) the magnetic properties of iron oxides polymorphs submitted to thermal treatment; (2) the effects of foreign elements in the structure of iron oxides; (3) the conversion of iron oxides in a controlled environment versus their transformation in ambient conditions; and (4) the properties of magnetic nanomaterials. The apparatus will also support Concordia College’s physics curriculum by adding teaching laboratory activities to materials science, advanced laboratories and the geology course, thus furthering our mission of training the next generation of scientists using modern technology and techniques.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.