MRI: Acquisition of a Physical Properties Measurement System for Research, Education, and Outreach

材料研究部的这一奖项支持西密歇根大学收购量子设计物理性能测量系统（PPMS）。该仪器提供了一个强大的新功能，用于测量各种材料在不同条件下的电，磁，热和光学特性。 正在研究的材料可能会实现以下目标：改善电力传输和能量存储、量子计算、分子电子学、更高效的制冷、印刷电子学以及新的低成本太阳能转换方法。除了使西密歇根大学的四个科学和工程系受益外，该仪器还将作为包括附近五所学院和大学在内的研究中心的本地资源。所有这些机构的学生都将获得使用最先进的仪器进行研究和教育的宝贵经验。社区外展将使当地高中生参与长期研究项目，帮助将科学的兴奋传播给下一代。 凭借材料研究部的这一奖项，西密歇根大学的研究人员将获得一个系统，可以测量电阻率，载流子浓度，比热，光学特性和磁化强度作为温度（0.05- 400 K）和磁场（0- 14 T）的函数。一个主要的用途将是研究高温和奇异的超导性。 研究将探索掺杂铅硫族化合物、Bi基拓扑超导体中的超导性，并确定如何使用涡旋钉扎来提高商用高温超导导线中的临界电流密度。其他研究项目包括表征掺杂铅钙钛矿半导体的特性，探索结构和成分对Ni-Mn Heusler合金磁热效应的相互作用，测量分子磁体的磁性和结构特性之间的关系，确定金刚石中氮空位中心的光学特性，以及研究印刷电子用金属油墨的电磁特性。这些研究项目将通过推进对重要技术现象的基本理解而造福社会。这一工具将大大改善未来科学家、工程师和教师的教育和培训，包括来自代表性不足群体的科学家、工程师和教师。该项目包括为附近五所大学的本科生和教师进行研究和教育的当地合作。由此产生的区域研究社区将有利于较小的机构，教师有有限的仪器和很少或没有机构的同事在他们的研究领域。推广活动还将为有才华的高中生提供研究机会，包括传统上在科学领域代表性不足的人群。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。

This award from the Division of Materials Research supports the acquisition of a Quantum Design Physical Properties Measurement System (PPMS) at Western Michigan University. The instrument provides a powerful new capability for measurements of the electrical, magnetic, thermal, and optical properties of a wide variety of materials under different conditions. Materials are being studied which may enable the following: improved electrical transmission and energy storage, quantum computing, molecular electronics, more efficient refrigeration, printed electronics, and new lower cost methods of solar energy conversion. In addition to benefiting four departments in science and engineering at Western Michigan University, the instrument will serve as a local resource for a research hub including five nearby colleges and universities. Students at all these institutions will gain valuable experience using a state-of-the-art instrument for their research and education. Community outreach will engage local high school students in long-term research projects, helping spread the excitement of science to the next generation. With this award from the Division of Materials Research, researchers at Western Michigan University will acquire a system to enable measurements of resistivity, carrier concentration, specific heat, optical properties, and magnetization as a function of temperature (0.05-400K) and magnetic field (0-14T). One major use will be for studies of high temperature and exotic superconductivity. Studies will explore superconductivity in doped lead chalcogenides, Bi based topological superconductors, and determine how to improve critical current densities in commercial high temperature superconducting wires using vortex pinning. Additional research projects include characterizing the properties of doped lead perovskite semiconductors, exploring the interplay of structure and composition on the magnetocaloric effect in Ni-Mn Heusler alloys, measuring the relation between the magnetic and structural properties of molecular magnets, determining optical properties of nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond, and studying the electrical and magnetic properties of metallic inks for printed electronics. These research projects will benefit society by advancing fundamental understanding of technologically important phenomena. This instrument will significantly improve the education and training for future scientists, engineers, and teachers, including those from underrepresented groups. The project includes local collaborations for research and education for undergraduates and faculty from five nearby universities. The resulting regional research community will benefit smaller institutions where faculty have limited instrumentation and few or no institutional colleagues in their research area. Outreach activities will also provide research opportunities for talented high school students, including populations traditionally underrepresented in science.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.