MRI-RUI: Acquisition of an X-Ray Diffraction System for Improvement in the Quality of Research and Education in Materials Related Sciences and Engineering

该补助金为Rose-Hulman理工学院（RHIT）和周边学院的研究人员提供了使用X射线机的机会，该X射线机能够（i）为教师和学生的研究项目产生可分解的X射线衍射图案;（ii）为学生提供基础材料科学和工程中使用的现代研究工具的培训，以及（iii）激发中学生对科学的热情。 该补助金将通过提供识别各种制造技术产生的材料和相的能力，使新型磁性材料和基于形状记忆合金（SMA）的MEMS器件的研究成为可能。 磁性材料研究使用两种制造技术。 第一种技术使用改进的碳弧技术，其中1）在合成期间具有更快的冷却速率和/或2）更高的压力反应以产生合金化的钐钴/碳纳米颗粒。 第二种技术使用具有受控退火的溅射来存款SmCo-碳薄膜，这允许在从固相成核期间对颗粒尺寸进行更多控制。 在SMA-MEMS领域提出了两个项目：1）一个电气工程项目，涉及开发肌节（肌肉的构建块）的MEMS模型; 2）一个机械工程项目，开发能够使用废热作为能源的热机。 MEMS模型肌节将使用多个SMA-MEMS热致动器以类似于生物肌节的方式移动模型肌节。 基于SMA的高工作密度的MEMS热机设计将导致由温度梯度驱动的振荡装置。 该补助金还为学生提供使用x射线衍射机的培训，并将提高学生对x射线衍射理论的认知理解。最后，中学生将有机会在RHIT的探索工程项目中使用X光机。X光机将用于研究，培训本科生，并在所有年龄段的学生中激发热情。该补助金为罗斯-休曼理工学院（RHIT）和周边学院的研究人员提供了使用X光机的机会，该X光机能够（i）为教师和学生的研究项目产生可验证的结果;（ii）为学生提供有关基础材料科学和工程学的现代研究工具的培训，以及（iii）激发中学生对科学的热情。 X光机提供了利用材料研究中所需的新材料的能力。 该补助金还用于培训学生使用X射线衍射机，并通过修改现有实验和开发新实验室，提高他们对X射线衍射理论的认知理解。 最后，RHIT探索工程项目的中学生将有机会生成便士等常见材料的衍射图案，并使用这些图案来确定材料的成分。 X光机将有助于研究，培训大学生，并激发所有年龄段学生的热情。

This grant provides researchers at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT) and surrounding colleges with access to an x-ray machine that is capable of (i) producing publishable x-ray diffraction patterns for faculty and student research projects; (ii) providing students training on a modern research tool used in basic materials science and engineering, and (iii) generating enthusiasm for science in middle school students. The grant will enable research on novel magnetic materials and shape memory alloy (SMA) based MEMS devices by providing the ability to identify the materials and phases produced by various fabrication techniques. The magnetic material research uses two fabrication techniques. The first technique uses a modified carbon-arc technique with 1) faster cooling rates during the synthesis and/or 2) higher pressure reactions to create an alloyed samarium cobalt/carbon nanoparticle. The second technique uses sputtering with controlled annealing to deposit a SmCo-carbon thin film, which allows for more control over particle size during nucleation from the solid phase. Two projects are being proposed in the field of SMA-MEMS: 1) an electrical engineering project involving the development of a MEMS model of a sarcomere (the building block for muscles) and 2) a mechanical engineering project developing a heat engine capable of using waste heat as an energy source. The MEMS model sarcomere will use multiple SMA-MEMS heat actuators to move a model sarcomere in a manner similar to biological sarcomeres. The MEMS heat engine design, based on the high work densities of SMAs, will result in an oscillating device driven by a temperature gradient. The grant also provides training to students in the use of an x-ray diffraction machine and will enhance student cognitive understanding of the theory of x-ray diffraction. Finally, middle school students will have an opportunity to use the x-ray machine in RHIT's Explore Engineering program. The x-ray machine will be useful for research, training undergraduates, and generating enthusiasm in students of all ages.This grant provides researchers at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT) and surrounding colleges with access to an x-ray machine that is capable of (i) producing publishable results for faculty and student research projects; (ii) providing students training on a modern research tool used in basic materials science and engineering, and (iii) generating enthusiasm for science in middle school students. The x-ray machine provides the ability to utilize novel materials that are necessary in materials research. The grant also provides for training of students in the use of an x-ray diffraction machine and enhances their cognitive understanding of the theory of x-ray diffraction through the modification of existing experiments and the development of new laboratories. Finally, middle school students in RHIT's Explore Engineering program will be given the opportunity to generate diffraction patterns of common materials such as pennies and to use these patterns in determining the composition of the materials. The x-ray machine would be useful for research, training undergraduates, and generating enthusiasm in students of all ages.