James Hanson - US grants

9412292 Hanson Dendritic polymers (dendrimers) are a remarkable new class of polymers with highly branched structure. This research deals with the synthesis and characterization of dendrimers with spectroscopic probes covalently built in to the structure. The spectroscopic studies will provide insight into the polarity of the probe's microenvironment at strategic locations within the dendramers, the motion of the polymers in solution, the mobility of branches at various distances from the molecular core, the acces of small molecules to the dendrimers' interior, and the effective radius of the dendritic molecules. The experiments will test the existing theories of dendrimer structure and will allow formulation of more accurate models for predicting both structure and dynamics. Such an understanding should enhance the prospects for pratical applications of dendritic polymers.

Landfilling is the most common method used for permanent disposal of wastes. A thorough understanding of the processes occurring within wastes and liner materials is required for proper design and operation of landfills and associated facilities. Temperature affects the processes occurring within wastes and liners and also the properties and engineering behavior of both wastes and liner materials. The objective of this GOALI study is to investigate temperature fluctuations and spatial distributions of temperatures in landfills and investigate the effect of temperature on the engineering properties of wastes. This information will be used to determine temperature related behavior of solid wastes and landfill components to optimize performance of landfills. The study will involve four major phases. The first phase will be to identify the thermal regime of landfills. Thermal properties of wastes will then be determined as a function of temperature. A numerical model will be formulated using these thermal properties to predict temperature distributions within landfills and conduct parametric evaluations. Finally, engineering properties of solid wastes will be determined as a function of temperature. The study will be conducted with collaboration between Lawrence Technological University, Wayne State University, and Allied Waste Industries. Results of this investigation will be applicable to various practical design and operational aspects of landfills. Cooperation between universities and industry will promote improved design and operation of waste containment facilities as well as complement educational objectives. Knowledge of temperatures within a landfill and the temperature-dependent behavior of wastes is expected to advance the state-of-the-practice.

With this award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Seton Hall University will acquire a 400 MHz NMR Spectrometer. This equipment will enable researchers to carry out studies on a) proteins and peptides in a bicontinuous lipidic cubic phase; b) synthesis of novel dendritic and hyperbranched polymers; c) preparation of new materials for microlithography; d) synthetic carbohydrate chemistry; e) conformational analysis of polysaccharides; and f) interactions of fluoropeptides with DNA.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is the most powerful tool available to chemists for the elucidation of the structure of molecules. It is used to identify unknown substances, to characterize specific arrangements of atoms within molecules, and to study the dynamics of interactions between molecules in solution. Access to state-of-the-art NMR spectrometry is essential to chemists who are carrying out frontier research. The results from these NMR studies will have an impact in a number of areas including materials chemistry and biochemistry.

The objective of this research is to determine thermal and gas regimes of landfills and to establish correlations between the measured parameters and operational and environmental conditions at landfills. It involves collaboration between Wayne State University and Lawrence Technological University, and various industrial partners. Three landfills, located in Michigan, New Mexico, and Alaska, have previously been instrumented and plans include instrumenting an additional site located in British Columbia, Canada.

The project has three components: monitoring existing sensors, installing additional sensors, and analyzing data. Temperature and gas data are collected in the waste mass, liner systems, and the surrounding soils. This data will be used to generate an extensive database for use by researchers and practitioners. Comprehensive correlations between landfill byproducts (heat, gas, and leachate generation) and operational and environmental conditions will be developed. These correlations will provide tools for improving the state-of-the-art and state-of-the-practice of waste disposal and containment in landfills

As the size and complexity of structural analysis problems increase, the potential for errors and the devastating impacts of errors increase. Currently, structural analysis courses and textbooks provide minimal coverage, if any, on how to evaluate the reasonableness of structural analysis results. Therefore, this project is developing prototype course materials for teaching evaluation of structural analysis results using metacognition. Metacognition is a sequence of steps followed by a person to monitor and improve that person's own cognitive performance in an area. Metacognition has been used to improve student learning in reading, math and science for over twenty years; however, the technique has not yet been widely used in engineering.

The investigators are interviewing expert structural engineers to document the cognitive strategies they use to successfully evaluate structural analysis results. The students receive instruction on the cognitive strategies and on metacognition. Metacognition allows the students to monitor their own decision-making processes as they learn how to implement the cognitive strategies. Members of the Campus Office of Assessment are conducting evaluation of student learning as independent observers. Learning is being measured during three iterations of the Structures I and Structures II courses: the first without formal instruction on metacognition and the two subsequent iterations with instruction.

The prototype course materials are being made available electronically so that instructors at other institutions can adopt the new format for the courses. The investigator is publishing the strategies used by expert engineers to allow practicing engineers to improve their knowledge base.

The materials are also being disseminated to design firms for in-house training. In addition, these materials are being made available to instructors in order to introduce results evaluation in courses across all engineering disciplines.

Engineering - Civil (54)
Through this project, students are developing short video demonstrations of principles and topics in geotechnical engineering. The modules are being developed for individuals with different learning styles and are taking into account issues in universal access for students with disabilities. The video clips are available through student-friendly technologies such as podcasts or video MP3 players. The students are adopting their traditional learning styles to unconventional learning modes with extensive and expert use of electronic technologies, design and development of experiments, and awareness of universal design. Through their work in developing the videos clips, students are deepening their understanding of technical concepts, improving their ability to communicate and work on teams, and broadening their understanding of issues surrounding universal access for individuals with disabilities. The flexible design employed in this project facilitates adaptation to other subjects, other universities, and other student populations. Best practices guidelines for using this teaching methodology are being developed and widely disseminated.

This award funds a workshop to be held in May, 2008 to bring together leading researchers and educators in geotechnical engineering. The workshop is partly sponsored by the United States Universities Council on Geotechnical Education and Research (USUCGER). The main objective of the workshop is to foster interaction between participants for exchange of knowledge and ideas and to develop specific plans for research and educational collaborations. The workshop will be held be held on Sunday May 18, 2008 in Sacramento, California to immediately precede the ASCE Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics IV Conference, also scheduled for Sacramento. This will allow for maximizing the participation as well as the
exposure of the workshop.

The workshop will have the general theme of identifying geotechnical research and education priorities and fostering relations to promote effective collaborations on these topics. Research, education, and mentoring panel sessions that include leading experts from a variety of perspectives will highlight this theme. For the research panel, speakers/representatives from NSF/NEES, Industry, Geo-Bio area, transportation area, energy area, and one of the contributors to the NRC report "Geological and Geotechnical Engineering I n the New Millennium: Opportunities for Research and Technological Innovation?. For the education panel, general issues that will be addressed include: assessment, Body of Knowledge (BOK), broad dissemination of geotechnical modules to other supporting disciplines, improving recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups in geotechnical engineering, and the implications of ASCE Policy 465 on graduate geotechnical education. A mentoring session will also be held that addresses young faculty members? issues such as tenure; funding; and education, research, and service issues. Sufficient time is permitted in the workshop schedule to allow for open discussion among workshop participants, questions, and exchange of ideas among workshop participants.

The workshop will bring together prominent researchers, educators, students, and practitioners from U.S. institutions. Significant advancements can be made in identifying research and education priorities, challenges, and opportunities in geotechnical engineering. Incorporating knowledge from other disciplines (geo-bio, transportation, and energy) on emerging issues will increase the awareness of the attendees in these areas for developing effective research plans. The technical and educational outcomes of the workshop will be disseminated through reports, presentations, and the USUCGER website. Advancements in geotechnical engineering provide improved safety and functionality of infrastructure, better environmental protection, and overall improved the well being of the public at large. Societal outcomes of the workshop also include positively influencing participation of underrepresented groups in science and engineering, developing education opportunities for graduate and post-graduate students, and establishing baseline curricula for undergraduate and graduate geotechnical education for 2008.

This award is for the acquisition the following equipment: an MTS structural test system and ARAMIS three dimensional non-contact deformation and strain measurement system. The acquisition of these structural testing components will enable the Structures and Computational Mechanics laboratory at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT) to undertake fundamental and applied research in the area of structures and mechanics of new and promising materials. This will be done in collaboration with industry and/or government institutions. Most importantly, the research activities will propel some of the best undergraduate students into the advanced degree pipeline so that the United States can stay competitive with the rest of the world.

Successful acquisition of this equipment will benefit RHIT, the Civil and Mechanical Engineering departments, and the students and faculty members involved. The following are the anticipated impacts of our proposal: recruitment of RHIT students to graduate school, enhanced quality/marketability of RHIT students for the job market, improved curricula, faculty development, and improved laboratory capabilities at RHIT. Additionally, RHIT can undertake outreach programs with the goal of attracting under-represented students into the fields of science, math and engineering. The proposed research use of this equipment will contribute directly to improving the performance of the built infrastructure and also lead to a better understanding of the anisotropic material properties of fiber reinforced polymer composites. Finally, planned research use of this equipment will also further the development of a nationally accepted fracture toughness testing standard for concrete.

The research objective of this Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) proposes to incorporate surface analysis to civil engineering applications through the use of advanced research equipment and analysis methods. Fundamental research is required to develop measurement, analyses, and implementation tools for surface characterization in civil engineering, where the significant effects of surface texture on system response has been recognized, yet research has been limited. The instrumentation (optical interferometer) will be used to conduct fundamental surface analyses using multiple scales and approaches, representing the first time that surface texture will be determined or correlated to engineering performance for the majority of the test materials. Guidelines will be developed for surface analysis. Recommendations will be provided for production of processed natural materials and manufacture of synthetic materials for desired surface characteristics. Advancements will be enabled in modeling of civil engineering systems with unique surface knowledge that will be obtained.

If successful, the research will improve fundamental understanding of mechanics and micromechanics associated with engineering applications through quantifying surface characteristics with significant new knowledge generated. Significant advancements will be possible in the analysis of interface behavior, fiber inclusions, and pre-, in-, and post-service analyses and forensics for a wide variety of materials through integrated experimental and numerical analyses. The proposed instrumentation will add extensive research capabilities; provide opportunities for advancing ongoing research and enabling new research; add unique capabilities to the research infrastructure to attract external funding; and foster inter- and intra-department collaborations. The proposed activities will provide research training opportunities for a diverse group of faculty and students; attract underrepresented groups (female, first-generation college, and Hispanic students, who constitute a significant percentage of the Cal Poly student body) to engineering; and integration of state-of-the-art research into learning modules for use at Cal Poly (with some of the U.S.?s largest undergraduate engineering departments), other U.S. universities, and internationally.

Support from the NSF Division of Engineering Education and Centers will establish a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site focused on the sustainable management and beneficial reuse of residual wastes and byproducts. Faculty at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo will manage the REU site.

The REU program at Cal Poly will engage undergraduates on research leading to the discovery of new knowledge, provide mentoring for a diverse research team, promote graduate study as a future professional goal, and provide instructive and appealing learning components. The program will support ten undergraduates per year for a period of three years. Extensive time will be provided for research and discovery. In addition, specific periods will be set aside for structured learning and professional development activities designed to provide the participants with skills, tools, and training essential for success in research. These activities include workshops and seminars on interpersonal communication, research best-practices, ethics, data analysis, project reporting, graduate school expectations, and contemporary issues. As part of the research experience, the participants will formulate a hypothesis, develop a research plan, carry out a research investigation, prepare progress reports using a variety of technology-enriched approaches, present findings to a group of peers and research mentors through a variety of presentation modes, and reflect on achievements. Assessment of participant knowledge, skills, and abilities will take place before, during, and after the research appointments to evaluate the level of achievement of program objectives and student learning outcomes. The REU program will engage students on research supported by the Global Waste Research Institute (GWRI), an interdisciplinary organization at Cal Poly focused on promoting collaborative and cutting-edge research and educational activities. Institute goals are to advance current practices in resource management and to conduct research on and provide anticipatory solutions to the entire lifecycle of large quantities and wide varieties of wastes and byproducts. The GWRI fosters collaboration between the colleges of Engineering, Science, Agriculture, and Business, where experts from complementary disciplines work together to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to existing and emerging challenges in waste and byproduct management. Fundamental research to be undertaken as part of the REU program involves waste management, pollution prevention, waste to energy conversion, and beneficial reuse of wastes and byproducts. Focused GWRI research topics, conscientious recruiting, targeted mentoring, open communication, and emphasis on generating publications will ensure state-of-the art research by the undergraduates, leading to rapid dissemination of research findings into the scientific literature.

All members of society are affected by wastes and byproducts due to the ubiquitous nature of these materials. The REU program at Cal Poly will engage undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty members, and collaborating engineering practitioners on interdisciplinary research related to the sustainable management and beneficial reuse of wastes. Advancements in the management of existing, new, and emerging waste and byproduct streams will contribute significantly to the protection of the environment as well as human health and safety. Opportunities for entrepreneurship will be encouraged through various ongoing programs and projects. The well-developed dissemination strategy will affect stakeholders at the home institutions of the undergraduate participants as well as the engineering research and education communities at large. A primary objective of the REU program is to have faculty and graduate students mentor a diverse team of undergraduates, thereby broadening research opportunities for women and minorities. A focused and well-targeted recruitment goal calls for at least sixty percent of the program participants to be members of underrepresented groups. Graduate students will be trained as program mentors using current best-practices. Each graduate student will receive regular feedback on his or her mentor performance to motivate interest in research careers and/or further graduate study and to help ensure successful research experiences for the undergraduates.