MRI: Acquistion of Tribometer for Manufacturing/Mechanical Engineering and Materials Research and Education

这项主要研究仪器（MRI）拨款为购置一台摩擦计提供资金。摩擦计是一种测量接触材料的摩擦和磨损的装置。测量材料之间的相对运动为理解基本的科学现象和提高产品性能提供了有用的信息。这种特殊的摩擦计仪器是一种具有特殊能力的微型摩擦计，可以进行微米到纳米级别的测量。该设备将用于制造、机械和材料工程方面的研究和教育项目。使用该仪器进行的具体研究包括：制造和材料去除，材料表征，摩擦，润滑和磨损。机械和材料性能的测量将应用于块状材料、薄膜和表面涂层。这种设备将使研究微米到纳米尺度的现象成为可能。许多科学、工程和技术的新进展都是在这种规模下发生的。例子包括纳米技术、生物技术和微电子。提高对这些复杂系统和过程的理解将导致更高效的制造系统和改进的产品设计，在半导体制造，铜箔纸和纤维，泵和密封流体处理系统。教师、学生和工业合作伙伴将共同参与使用这一工具。学生，无论是本科生还是研究生，都将获得在课堂、实验室和研究中使用最先进仪器的实践经验。工业将受益于该仪器的可用性，以进行测量，并获得该技术专业领域知识渊博的教师和学生。

This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant provides funds for the acquisition of a tribometer. A tribometer is a device for measuring friction and wear of materials that are in contact. Measurement of the relative movement between materials results in useful information for understanding basic scientific phenomenon and to improve product performance. This particular tribometer instrument is a micro tribometer with special capabilities to perform measurements at the micrometer to nanometer level. This equipment will be used for research and education programs in manufacturing, mechanical, and materials engineering. Specific research to be performed with this instrument includes: manufacturing and material removal, materials characterization, friction, lubrication and wear. Measurements of mechanical and material properties will be applied to bulk materials, thin film and surface coatings.This equipment will make it possible to study phenomena at the micrometer to nanometer size scale. Many new advances in science, engineering, and technology are occurring at this size scale. Examples include nanotechnology, biotechnology, and microelectronics. Improved understanding of these complex systems and processes will lead to more efficient manufacturing systems and improved product design, in semiconductor manufacturing, coated paper and fibers, and pumps and seals for fluid handling systems. Faculty, students and industrial partners will jointly participate in the use of this instrument. Students, both undergraduate and graduate, will gain hands-on experience in using state-of-the-art instrumentation in the classroom, laboratory, and research. Industry will benefit from the availability of this instrument to perform measurements and access to faculty and students knowledgeable of this area of technical specialization.