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

主要研究仪器（MRI）合同将支持购买量子设计VersaLab物理特性测量系统（VersaLab - PPMS）。该仪器将用于支持教师的研究和教学实验室（物理先进实验室，材料科学和地质学）在康考迪亚学院在穆尔黑德，MN，非博士学位。授予机构。VersaLab - PPMS是一种多功能仪器，能够在50 - 1000 K的温度范围内进行电、磁和热性能测量。安装在康科迪亚学院的仪器也将服务于北达科他州和明尼苏达州西北部的一个区域性高等教育机构联盟。研究人员将让本科生在夏季和整个常规学年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 （San Diego， CA）制造的VersaLab物理性能测量系统（VersaLab - PPMS），该系统将被安置在位于MN Moorhead的Concordia学院物理系。该设备有一个3特斯拉的无低温超导磁体，可以在很宽的温度范围内（50 - 1000 K）测量材料的电、磁和热性能。VersaLab系统将提高主要研究人员的研究质量和范围，并提高数据收集的速度。具体的研究课题包括：(1)热处理后氧化铁多晶的磁性；(2)外来元素对氧化铁结构的影响；(3)氧化铁在受控环境中的转化与在环境条件下的转化；(4)磁性纳米材料的性质。该仪器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考迪亚学院的物理课程，从而进一步推进我们使用现代技术和技术培养下一代科学家的使命。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值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.