Acquisition of Computed Tomography (CT) Scanner for STEM Education and Research Programs in New Mexico
Abstract
Equipment: This proposal seeks funds for the acquisition of an X-Ray Computed Tomography (CT) scanner for the College of Engineering (COE) on the main campus of New Mexico State University (NMSU). CT scanning is a universally recognized and essential instrument for exploring internal morphology and microstructure of materials. The instrument requested in this proposal is a General Electric Phoenix Vtomex|S system with dual tube (180kv and 240kv) capabilities that can provide up to 200 nanometer resolution. The resolution and penetration power provided by the two tubes can support a wide variety of applications for faculty research as well as undergraduate and graduate student training. The CT scanner in the COE will also be used to support research and educational efforts in the colleges of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and Agricultural Consumer and Environmental Sciences (CACES) as well as research activities at the Physical Science Laboratory (PSL) at NMSU, the University of New Mexico (UNM), and New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT). Research: The COE and PSL at NMSU are collaborating to merge current capabilities and resources to revolutionize and transfer advanced material and manufacturing processes to defense related applications. This collaboration involved six active research groups in the Mechanical Engineering, Chemical and Materials Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Civil Engineering departments at NMSU. The research groups are working in four interdisciplinary research areas: 1. Material development (e.g. weight reduction, warfighter and infrastructure protection), 2. Advanced manufacturing and processes (e.g. additive manufacturing), 3. Computational materials science, and 4. Materials and processing characterization, experimentation, and data exploitation. The PI and five Co-PIs of this proposal are collaborating across these groups to conduct multidisciplinary material related research. Intelligent Structures and Nondestructive Evaluation (ISNDE), Soft Matter Research and Technology (SMaRT), Composites, Rapid Prototyping, and Materials Testing are five active laboratories directed by the PI and Co-PIs that will benefit from the capabilities that the CT scanner brings to our university. Education: The CT scanner will be used for educational activities that include training and educational opportunities for STEM students, many of whom are undergraduate and graduate minority students, as well as high school teachers and students. These activities will include a design challenge for undergraduate and graduate students, an on-line teaching module for CT scanning, and a certificate program for economically disadvantaged veterans offered through a partnership with the American Aerospace Technical Academy (AATA). One of the unique educational aspects of the current proposal is to go beyond typical educational activities by considering underrepresented populations including returning and economically disadvantaged veterans as well as underrepresented minorities. The PI has built a strong relationship with AATA, a non-profit educational organization, to establish a free certification program that can substantially benefit underrepresented communities with lower educational backgrounds. State-wide impact: In addition to NMSU, faculty from the other two major STEM programs in New Mexico, UNM and NMT, will also benefit from this CT scanner. Overall, more than 30 faculty members of these schools have voiced support for this proposal. It is unfortunate that the three main institutions of higher education (two of which are minority serving institutions) that offer technical degrees in New Mexico do not have CT imaging capabilities. By funding the purchase of this equipment, the United States Department of Defense (DoD) will make a ÒstatewideÓ impact on STEM education and research programs in New Mexico.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 25, 2021
- Source ID
- W911NF2110138
Entities
People
- Ehsan Dehghan Niri
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- New Mexico State University
- Office of the Secretary of Defense