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

主要研究仪器（MRI）奖将支持收购Quantum Design VersaLab物理特性测量系统（VersaLab - PPMS）。该仪器将用于支持明尼苏达州Moorhead的Concordia学院的教师研究和教学实验室（物理高级实验室，材料科学和地质学），授予机构。VersaLab-PPMS是一款多功能仪器，能够在50 - 1000 K的温度范围内进行电、磁和热特性测量。安装在肯考迪亚学院的设备也将服务于北达科他州和明尼苏达州西北部的高等教育机构的区域联盟。研究人员将在夏季和整个常规学年期间让本科生参与对广泛材料的实践调查，从而培养下一代科学家。该奖项将支持收购由Quantum Design，Inc（San Diego，CA）制造的VersaLab物理性能测量系统（VersaLab - PPMS），并将安装在明尼苏达州Moorhead的Concordia学院的物理系。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（50 - 1000 K）内测量材料的电、磁和热特性。VersaLab系统将提高主要研究者的研究质量和范围，并提高数据收集速度。具体的研究课题包括调查（1）提交给热处理的铁氧化物多晶型物的磁性;（2）铁氧化物结构中外来元素的影响;（3）铁氧化物在受控环境中的转化与其在环境条件下的转化;以及（4）磁性纳米材料的性质。该设备还将通过在材料科学、先进实验室和地质学课程中增加教学实验室活动来支持Concordia学院的物理课程，从而进一步推进我们利用现代技术和工艺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.