Center for High Performance Scientific Computing (CHIPS-Comp)  A Beowulf-type cluster of 20 dual Alpha EV6 833, 750 and 667 MHz workstations with a Scalable Coherent Interface (SCI) network accelerates the progression of parallel programming tasks and exchange of information across the processors. This architecture allows for an extremely powerful supercomputing capability that may be used by researchers in diverse fields to process data at rates not achievable with conventional computing systems. The center can support research in materials science, nuclear physics, parallel computing, and can offer know-how as well as consulting services in material science and nuclear physics and access to computational methods development expertise. |
Fastening and Joining Research Institute  The objective of this institute is to enhance the reliability and safety of metallic, composite and polymeric joints by advancing the science and technology of mechanical fastening, adhesive bonding, welding and riveting. The institute is a one-of-a-kind facility that pursues fundamental and applied research to develop and disseminate new technologies for the fastening and joining of metals, composites and polymers. The Institute develops and disseminates novel advanced technologies in the areas of automated assembly of bolted joints, adhesive bonding of composites, resistance welding and riveting, a niche area that significantly impacts the safety and reliability of many products. |
Heap Leach Compaction Evaluation Column  The purpose of this invention is to allow for the construction of a heap leach compaction evaluation column that is able to simulate the conditions within an actual ore bed. Evaluation columns are common in the mining and material processing industries but do not often realistically represent the columns in actual material leach heaps because existing column designs do not allow for generation of sufficient pressures within the simulated ore bed. The object of this invention is to produce a constant and controllable pressure in the simulated ore bed so that heap leach evaluation columns are more representative of actual conditions in the field.
This invention comprises a hollow tube in which an aggregate material or agglomerated ore is placed. A free floating plunger is place on top of the ore and pressure is applied to the plunger with an external force. The external force may be applied by an inflatable air bladder or multiple bladders that are restricted by a flange or other restrictive device such as an affixed lid at the top of the tube, by placing heavy weights on top of the plunger, or other suitable means to supply sufficient force. For analytical purposes the tube may also include sensors for temperature, pressure, and other readings. |
Advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics Services This research is focused on the areas of fluid mechanics and heat transfer, with a concentration in advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD), natural convection, turbulence (direct simulations and modeling), heat transfer correlation development, and microscales. Currently, the focus is on a number of industry related projects that involve computational fluid dynamics. While much of the research has focused on automotive applications, the service that can be provided is applicable in any area that involves heat transfer problems and fluid dynamics. |
Design Optimization and Design Under Uncertainty Technology This research is focused on noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) and design under uncertainty. One outcome of this reseach is a design optimization tool that has potential application in a number of industry sectors. Although the graphical user interface is at an early stage of development, the algorithm design is sufficiently functional to solve series of complex problems. The research offers the opportunity to provide engineering services to numerous organizations on a consulting basis. |
Coatings Research Institute  The CRI's two-fold mission is to be a leading academic organization that develops relevant scientific knowledge for understanding and for expanding the science and technology of paints, coatings, inks, adhesives and related nano-based materials. Areas of expertise represented in the CRI include, among others, coating technologies and formulation, polymer modification, cross-linking mechanisms and enabling technologies such as nanotechnology (nanoparticle materials), polymer structure/property relationships, characterization, vibrational spectroscopy (Raman and FT-IR), thermal analysis (DSC,DMA,TGA, DEA) and nanotribology. |
Surface Science and Nano-Tribology Laboratory (SSNTL) The Surface Science and Nano-Tribology Laboratory (SSNTL) is equipped with a Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM), a Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM), a Nano Indenter XP system, a Localized Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (LEIS) and other major equipment. Ongoing activities includes studies of surface mechanics and nano-tribology, as well as surface structure of polymeric coatings and other molecular films, and corrosion mechanisms at the micro and nano-scale. For example, a modified SPM has been used to study mechanical properties of nanomaterial and the newly developed Localized Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscope (LEIS) enables measurement of the impedance dot by dot with a resolution of microns while it scans across the surface of sample. Combined with Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM), that can image surface morphology with nano and sub-nano resolution, this technology allows investigation of corrosion mechanism in micro and nano-scale. Other areas of expertise include the mechanisms of fouling release coatings (nanotribological properties of non-toxic fouling release coating systems) and micro mar resistance (MMR), and different responses of the coatings/materials to scratch stress. |
Applied Chemical and Morphological Analysis Laboratory The Applied Chemical and Morphological Analyses Laboratory (ACMAL) is a university facility that houses an extensive array of electron microanalytical and x-ray instruments. Electron beam instrumentation includes two scanning electron microscopes (SEM), a high-resolution transmission electron microscope (TEM) and a focused ion beam milling system (FIB). X-ray equipment includes a sequential x-ray fluorescence spectrometer and five x-ray diffractometers. |
Atomic and Molecular Laser Spectroscopy Laboratory The objective of the research in the atomic and molecular laser spectroscopy laboratory is to gain knowledge about the basic properties of ions and neutral atoms and molecules, with a particular emphasis on the properties of molecules in electrical discharges.
A tunable CW diode laser of bandwidth better than 1 MHz and stability on the order of 100 MHz per hour was designed and built in the laboratory. Additional equipment includes a high power, high resolution tunable dye pulsed laser pumped by the third harmonic of an Nd-YAG laser along, with electronics capable of processing events as fast as half a nanosecond and detecting a single photon. |
Dislocation Physics Laboratory The Dislocation Physics Laboratory conducts studies regarding the influences of dislocations on physical properties of solids.
The Laboratory focuses on three research areas: Investigating dislocation dynamics in semiconductors and intermetallics;
Understanding the basic mechanisms responsible for selective dislocation etching of semiconductors and intermetallics by RIE plasmas and chemical solutions;
Studying the fundamental processes in dislocation engineering of materials for new high-tech applications.
The Laboratory is equipped with several special facilities. Pulse Loading Systems apply stresses to move dislocations in samples of different materials. The systems can operate over a wide range of stresses, pulse durations and temperatures to measure the dislocation velocities in various materials under investigation.
A quartz annealing system equipped with an inert gas supply, high-temperature furnace, and programmed controller can reduce, if necessary, the density of dislocations, homogenize samples and/or stabilize their point defects. The individual dislocations are revealed by selective etching and observed by either an optical microscope with a PC-controlled digital camera, or an interferometric microscope, a scanning electron microscope, or an atomic force microscope.
The Reference Cell is a radio-frequency plasma discharge with a magnetically coupled sample manipulator. The Reference Cell, one of only several of this kind in the country, was specially designed for studying both the plasma properties and plasma etching of materials with different dislocation structures.
Several computer-controlled electronic systems and lasers allow measuring simultaneously properties of both plasmas and materials during etching. |
Institute for Engineering Materials (IEM) This center provides incentives and resources at the departmental and individual level for investigators from all departments to develop and utilize materials research infrastructure in the short-term while simultaneously providing departments a resource stream to enable meaningful long-term materials research infrastructure strategic planning. |
X-ray Diffraction of Polycrystalline, Nanocrystalline and Amorphous Materials This research program is focused on x-ray diffraction of polycrystalline, nanocrystalline and amorphous materials. Additional work is directed toward computer simulations (Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics. Another facet of the ressearch is exploration of the the magnetic properties of materials. |
Tribology, Surface Topography and Vibratory Stress Relief Research in tribology has focused on topics such as: simulation of liner/ring wear, effect of cylinder wall surface topography on cylinder kit wear and scuffing, theoretical prediction of oil film thickness between piston rings and cylinder walls and use of advanced materials and coatings to enhance tribological performance. The primary goals and another research track are to characterize and simulate valve wear mechanisms which occur on engine valves. The laboratory simulator which has resulted from this work is being used to rank the wear resistance of various valve materials and processing methods.
A related program of research has focused on the effect of tool wear on the surface topography of turned work pieces has been studied. A physical model which describes this relationship has been determined and future work will likely concentrate on developing non-contacting methods of monitoring work piece surface topography to help provide on-line optimization of metal cutting.
Finally, vibratory Stress relief (VSR) is being investigated as an alternative to tempering. VSR is expected to be more economical, faster and cleaner than tempering. Welded, cast, plastically deformed and heat treated samples are being investigated. |
Finite Element Analysis and Computer-Aided Engineering This reseach is focused on developing an array of technologies including finite element, boundary element, and finite difference programs for specific applications such as phase change, material fracture, contact stresses, sheet metal forming, strength evaluations, injection molding, etc. Developing interface programs for smooth and complete data transfer between CADD systems and F.E. programs. |
Physical Processes Involved in Adhesive Bonding and Material Damage Skills and expertise is available for modeling, analysis and simulation of contact between deformable bodies including mechanical models, mathematical formulations, variational analysis, and numerical analysis of the associated variational formulations. Areas of current activity are modeling of Industrial Processes by PDEs, variational inequalities as well as thermoelastic dynamic contact with friction, wear, adhesion or damage. |
µMRI Techniques for Detection and Investigation of Articular Cartilage This research program is generally designed to use high resolution MRI and other microscopic imaging techniques to study a number of important engineering, biological and biomedical problems. More specifically, the research is focused on detecting cartilage degradation, an early event in osteoarthritis using µMRI. The techniques developed are capable of a transverse resolution of 14 microns across the full depth of the cartilage tissue layer. This microscopic resolution allows examination of tissue properties in individual histological zones in cartilage non-invasively and non-destructively. |
Light Scattering Techniques for Reliable Characterization of Ferrelectric Thin Films of Ba(Sr)TiO3 and Carbon Nanotubes This research has yielded new knowledge and applications for light scattering techniques such as photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy in the investigation of the optical properties technologically important materials. Electronic and vibrational energy levels in material samples are inferred from laser light scatter data. Pressure and temperature perturbations allows characterization of new materials and better understanding of their functional properties. |
Optimizing Force and Displacement Measurements for Nanomechanical Devices This research program emerged from a focus on properties of correlated electrons and electron transport at low temperatures. Value insights have emerged from the program including discovery of the effect of non-dissipative drag (NDD) on superconductors and mesoscopic systems that results from the coupling of the zero point charge fluctuations between two systems with no tunneling from one to the other. This discover has led to potential application in the form of an eddy current coupling mechanism between a superconductor and a normal metal. Importantly, studies of phonon squeezing and ways of controlling zero point noise by applying pulses are yielding quantum non-demolition force and displacement measurements in nanomechical devices. |
Fracture of Ceramics at High Strain Rates This research program is designed to yield understanding of the influence of microstructure on the high strain rate behavior of ceramic materials. High strain rate experiments are being conducted on ceramics fabricated in the laboratory so that control over the micro-structural features can be maintained. Initial work has focused on high purity aluminum oxide which was densified without the aid of sintering additives while still maintaining a fine grain size of 1-2 xb5m. Variations in grain size and porosity are achieved using additional heat treatment. Damage in shock loaded specimens is evaluated using a variety of techniques. The information from these systematic investigations is being used to develop models which will include the effects of microstructure as well as the loading conditions on deformation and fracture behavior. |
Plasma Deposition for Coating Applications Plasma deposition may be used to apply coatings for a wide range of applications. However, the complexity of the process has led to primarily empirical advances in system design and coating development. The goal of this research program is to develop a more fundamental understanding of processing- structure-property relationships in plasma sprayed coatings and splats (the `building blocks' of coatings). These studies should lead to more rapid coating development and to the tailoring of coating characteristics. Systematic variations in plasma temperature and velocity as well as the powder particle size are used to assess their influence on splat and coating structure and properties. |
Institute of Materials Processing The Institute of Materials Processing (IMP) is an innovative, multi-disciplined, non-profit, industrially oriented research and development center holding over 60 patents. The IMP is housed in a $47.7 million dollar research facility on the campus of Michigan Technological University. Though IMP is located within Michigan Tech, funding comes solely from royalties and research projects. IMP has been providing entrepreneurs and industry with the resources to study minerals, environmental concerns and materials processing for over 40 years. IMP can assist you in meeting the challenges associated with each phase of your project's development, from preliminary studies to the final design and construction of a commercial operation. |
Grinding to Sub-micron Tolerances Axis positioning resolution on the order of nanometers has made possible the ductile machining of brittle materials. However, many of the concepts and models developed for traditional machining (characterized by high material removal rates and/or ductile workpiece materials) do not apply to machining at the nanometer level or to machining brittle materials. In this research program, analytical and experimental methods are being used to develop models for the machining of brittle materials. Beyond this scope, vibration assisted and water-jet assisted grinding, as well as wheel wear and wheel loading mechanisms also are being investigated. |
Environment-induced Embrittlement of Intermetallic Alloys Several intermetallics are extremely susceptible to embrittlement by water vapor; among these are the iron aluminides, alloys which otherwise have considerable promise as structural materials because of their low density, high resistance to corrosion and oxidation, and low cost. It is suspected that for these materials hydrogen embrittlement results from the reaction of the alloy surface with water vapor. This program of research incorporates measurements of fracture toughness and sub-critical crack growth under controlled chemical and electrochemical conditions to gain information about the kinetics of embrittlement. Structural characterization includes transmission electron microscopy. |
Computer Simulation of Dislocation-based Study of Materials Deformation, Strengthening and Failure Dislocation studies play an important role in understanding deformation, strengthening, and failure mechanisms of materials. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been commonly used in these studies. Improved computer simulation methods, recently developed in a program of research, have enhanced our ability to identify dislocations quantitatively. For example, comparison of a TEM image of a `superlattice' dislocation in a deformed Al67Mn8Ti25 alloy, compared favorably with the computer-simulated image of the dislocation formed by using only pertinent material constants, geometrical data, and imaging conditions. |
Electronic structure and transport properties of thermoelectric materials This work is focused on computational condensed matter physics and materials science, in particular the electronic structure problem in semiconductors and complex materials. Computers are used as powerful microscopes to investigate the quantum properties that technology exploits to build new solid state devices. Solar cells, lasers and IR-detectors use semiconductor materials that are created ad hoc to optimize functions like light emission and detection. The research is aimed at optimizing the interesting properties of these materials by performing both semi-empirical and first principles calculations. |
Materials Testing Laboratory The Materials Testing Laboratory supports testing of plastics, metals, and fuels and lubricants. Laboratory analysis and certified testing in these areas is supported by a Tinius Olson tensile test machine (30,000# load cell). The laboratory has capabilities for magnetic particle testing, fluorescent penetrant testing, eddy current testing, and carbon analysis tests. The facilitity incorporates a complete metallurgy lab, high temperature furnaces, humidity chamber, hardness testing, micro-hardness testing, abrasion testing, plastics testing (extrusion and deflection), gas chromatograph, infra-red spectrophotometer, sulfur in oil analyzer, and fuel and lubricant testing apparatus. |
NMR Spectrometer With support from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities: Departmental Multi-User Instrumentation (CRIF:MU) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Eastern Michigan University has acquired a 400 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) Spectrometer. This instrument permits the initiation of projects not possible currently and will lead to greater interaction of faculty in Chemistry with those in the College of Technology and Biology. Research projects to benefit from the NMR spectrometer include studies on nitrogen-phosphorus flame retardants, natural product synthesis, nitrogen heterocycle synthesis, and organic and heterocycle synthesis. This instrument helps attract research-oriented faculty and improve the learning experience for graduate and undergraduate student researchers. The formal teaching program will be immediately and positively affected in a senior laboratory class on synthesis. |
Materials Measurements and Modeling A new Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site is established by the Physics Department at Oakland University. This is a ten-week program during the summers of 2006, 2007 and 2008, aimed at providing research experience to undergraduate students who have not engaged in research before. Each year, seven students are recruited from local area community colleges and high schools, and four-year colleges and universities nationwide. Each of these students works with an experienced mentor on a theoretical or an experimental research project in the areas of condensed matter or biological physics. Summer program activities include detailed tutorials by and discussions with the research project mentors, participants group meetings, research presentations, and a one-day visit to the Research and Development facility of a local area industrial laboratory. Furthermore, this program provides continued mentoring beyond the summer to encourage the student participants to continue higher education and science careers. |
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