MRI: Acquisition of a Rheometer to Expand InterdisciplinaryMaterials Science Research with Undergraduate Researchers

该奖项旨在通过详细的流变测量加强詹姆斯麦迪逊大学正在进行的研究，重点是软材料的表征和应用。流变仪可以配置为提供温度控制，可视化，扩展，界面，同心圆柱体和大颗粒流变学。该仪器将直接引导本科生研究助理的培训，并将作为跨学科的工具，在各种研究项目中关注软材料的物理、化学和流变特性的相互作用。流变仪将作为JMU材料科学中心的共享资源，该中心由来自六个学科的20个教员附属机构组成，积极从事材料研究。这四名合作pi将专门对新型自组装胶体材料、乳液和泡沫的流动动力学、聚合物纳米复合材料的表征以及颗粒悬浮液的干扰行为进行流变学研究。有意义的本科生研究机会和积极的教师指导是詹姆斯麦迪逊大学教育理念的标志。基础研究和应用研究将以本科生为主要参与者。虽然流变仪在很大程度上是一种研究工具，但它也将被用作材料表征高级课程的实验室实验基础。

This award for a rheometer is expected to strengthen ongoing research at James Madison University focusing on the characterization and applications of soft materials through detailed rheological measurements. The rheometer can be configured to provide temperature control, visualization, and extensional, interfacial, concentric cylinder, and large particle rheometry. The instrument will directly lead to the training of undergraduate research assistants and will serve as an interdisciplinary tool in a variety of research projects focusing on the interplay of physical, chemical, and rheological properties of soft materials. The rheometer will serve as a shared resource at JMU's Center for Materials Science, which is composed of twenty faculty affiliates from six disciplines actively engaged in materials research. The four co-PIs will specifically conduct rheological examinations on novel self-assembled colloidal materials, flow dynamics of emulsions and foams, characterization of polymer nanocomposites, and jamming behavior of particulate suspensions. Meaningful undergraduate research opportunities and active faculty mentoring are hallmarks of the educational philosophy at James Madison University. Fundamental and applied research will be conducted with undergraduates as primary participants. While largely a research tool, the rheometer will also be used as the basis of a laboratory experiment for an upper-level course on materials characterization.