AEROSPACE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT FACILITIES

Computing Facilities:

DEPARTMENTAL COMPUTER LABS:Undergraduate use:

21 Intel Quad-Core i5 3.20 GHz Workstations with 4 GB RAM 18 Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 3.16 GHz Workstations with 4 GB RAM 19 Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.00 GHz Workstations with 2 GB RAM

Windows 7 installed on all undergraduate computers.

Graduate use: 16 Intel Quad-Core i7 3.20 GHz Workstations with 4 GB RAM running Windows 7 11 Intel Pentium 4 3.40 GHz Workstations with 2GB RAM running Ubuntu 5 Power Mac G5 Workstations with 8GB RAM running Mac OS X 5 Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.00 GHz Workstations with 2 GB RAM running Windows 7

Other machines in their respective labs and research groups: 1 SGI Onyx Reality Station 2 (flight sim lab) 1 SGI IRIS 4D (flight sim lab) 1 SGI Indy system (flight sim lab)

Workstation Software:The lab workstations include software for use in engineering classes. Examples include Dassault Systemes SolidWorks for computer aided design, Microsoft Visual Studio for development, Matlab and Maple for analysis, and Microsoft Office for document creation. A full list of software is available to students with a computing account.

TAMU HIGH PERFORMANCE RESEARCH COMPUTINGThis resource for research and discovery has four available clusters for faculty research:

(1) Ada is a 17,340-core IBM/Lenovo commodity cluster with nodes based mostly on Intel's 64-bit 10-core IvyBridge processors. In addition to the 852 compute nodes, there are 8 login nodes, each with 256 GB of memory and GPUs or Phi coprocessors per node.

(2) Crick is a 368-core IBM Power7+ BigData cluster with nodes based on IBM's 64-bit 16-core Power7+ processors. Included in the 23 nodes are 1 BigSQL node with 256GB of memory per node and 14TB (raw) of storage and 22 data nodes with 14TB (raw) storage for GPFS-FPO and local caching. Crick is primarily used for big data analytics. In addition to these nodes are 2 login nodes with 128GB of memory per node,

(3) Curie is an 768-core IBM Power7+ cluster with nodes based on IBM's 64-bit 16-core Power7+ processors. In addition to the 48 nodes are 2 login nodes with 256GB of memory per node. Curie's file system and batch scheduler are shared with Ada cluster.

(4) LoneStar5 is the latest cluster hosted by the Texas Advanced computing Center. Jointly funded by the University of Texas System, Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University, it provides additional resources to TAMU researchers. LoneStar5 has: 252 Cray XC40 compute nodes, each with two 12-core Intel® Xeon® processing cores for a total of 30,048 compute cores; 2 large memory compute nodes, each with 1TB memory; 8 large memory compute nodes, each with 512GB memory; 16 Nodes with NVIDIA K-

40 GPUs; 5 Petabyte DataDirect Networks storage system; and Cray-developed Aries interconnect.

The HPRC group provides its users with access to several specially configured "HPRC Lab" Linux workstations at two separate locations on the TAMU campus, and can assist with: debugging, code optimization and parallelization, batch processing, and collaborative advanced program support.

BRAZOS HPC CLUSTERBrazos, a major computing cluster at Texas A&M University, is designed to meet the high-throughput computing needs of A&M's computational scientists and engineers. Though capable of executing modest MPI applications, Brazos is optimized for handling large numbers of single-node computations. The computing power of Brazos comes from 309 computing nodes, with processors ranging from quad core Intel Xeon (Harpertown) and AMD Opteron (Shanghai), to 8-core AMD Opteron (Bulldozer) with 16GB to 128GB per node. Total peak performance is about 31.3 TFlops with a total of 10.1TB of RAM.

Access to Brazos is via a login nodes load balanced using round-robin DNS. User home directories are supported by a 5TB NFS file system. Data storage is supported using the Fraunhofer Filesystem on a 241TB storage array running on 7 storage nodes. Operating software for Brazos includes the Linux operating system, GNU and Intel compilers, SLURM batch scheduler, several MPI and linear algebra packages, and numerous applications.

The compute nodes and servers of Brazos are connected internally via a modular switch, with Gigabit Ethernet connections to each compute node and 10GbE connections to the login node and the data fileservers. The login nodes are connected to the Science DMZ network with 10GbE. The networking fabric for a large portion of the Brazos cluster is DDR Infiniband.

TEXAS ADVANCED COMPUTING CENTER (TACC)The Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) designs and operates some of the world's most powerful computing resources. The center's mission is to enable discoveries that advance science and society through the application of advanced computing technologies. Through this center TAMU faculty have access to multiple supercomputers, including:

Stampede - has 6,400 Dell C8220 compute nodes are housed in 160 racks; each node has two Intel E5 8-core (Sandy Bridge) processors and an Intel Xeon Phi 61-core (Knights Corner) coprocessor. Stampede is a multi-use, cyberinfrastructure resource offering large memory, large data transfer, and graphic processor unit (GPU) capabilities for data-intensive, accelerated or visualization computing. To this end, there are also 16 large-memory nodes with 1 terabyte (TB) memory, as well as 128 compute nodes with NVIDIA Kepler K20 GPUs. All components are integrated with an InfiniBand FDR network of Mellanox switches to deliver extreme scalability and high-speed networking.Lonestar

1252 Cray XC40 compute nodes, each with two 12-core Intel® Xeon® processing cores for a total of 30,048 compute cores

2 large memory compute nodes, each with 1TB memory 8 large memory compute nodes, each with 512GB memory 16 Nodes with NVIDIA K-40 GPUs 5 Petabyte DataDirect Networks storage system Cray-developed Aries interconnect

Wrangler:System Features

Geographically replicated, high performance data storage (10PB each site) Large scale flash storage tier for analytics with bandwidth of 1TB/s and 250M IOPS (6x

faster than Stampede) More than 3,000 embedded processor cores for data analysis Flexible support for a wide range of data workflows, including those using Hadoop and

databases. Integration with Globus Online services for rapid and reliable data transfer and sharing. A fully scalable design that can grow with the amount of users and as data applications grow.

Wrangler Subsystems: A 10PB storage system A set of 120 Intel Haswell-based servers for data access and embedded analytics A high-speed global object store made from NAND Flash

Multi-user Facilities:

TAMU CENTER FOR CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ANALYSIS (CCCA), Located in the Department of Chemistry

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Facility - The NMR Facility includes 10 superconducting spectrometer magnet systems, 4 LINUX workstations dedicated to data processing, and 3 full time staff to support them with maintenance, user training, and spectroscopic service. Although this facility is physically housed within the Chemistry Department, it provides services to the entire campus community.

X-Ray Diffraction Laboratory - The lab maintains 3 Micro-focus IuS sources, a Venture CMOS, QUEST CMOS, three Bruker single-crystal APEXii CCD Diffractometers, 1 Bruker GADDS/Histar diffractometer, and 3 Bruker powder diffractometers. The X-ray Diffraction Laboratory is staffed by two full-time Ph.D. level scientists.

Laboratory for Biological Mass Spectrometry – Chemistry Mass Spectrometry Facility - The services available include analyses of

compounds ranging from small organic molecules to macromolecules including proteins, oligonucleotides, polymers and dendrimers. Instruments available include: Applied Biosystems PE SCIEX QSTAR; Thermo Scientific DSQ II GCMS; and Thermo Scientific LCQ-DECA

Center for Mass Spectrometry - is dedicated to providing cutting-edge technology and expertise for the characterization of molecules to fulfill the needs of researchers at TAMU.  Mass spectrometry (MS) plays an increasingly important role in molecular level research, and it is central to ‘omics’ research, i.e., petroleomics, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, glycomics, etc and the CMS provides expert staff with modern instrumentation to complete these tasks .  Instruments available include: Thermo Scientific Fusion; Bruker 9.4T FT-ICR MS; MDS-Sciex 4000 Qtrap; and Applied Biosystems 4800+ MALDI TOF/TOF MS.

Elemental Analysis - The laboratory provides research support in the area of elemental and trace analysis as well as service analyses to TAMU users, other university and government agencies and private industry. It is unique in that it features fast neutron activation analysis

(FNAA) capabilities in addition to thermal instrumental neutron activation (INAA) using the University's Nuclear Science Center 1 MW TRIGA research reactor. In addition, the laboratory has recently added inductively-coupled plasma - mass spectrometry to its stable of facilities. The ICP-MS has been fitted with both conventional sample introduction hardware for solution work as well as a 213 nm laser ablation system for studying solids and surfaces.

MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION FACILITYThe Materials Characterization Facility (MCF) at  Texas A&M University is a multi-user facility located in the Frederick E. Giesecke Engineering Research Building (GERB) housing the fabrication and characterization instrumentation essential for the development, understanding, and study of new materials and devices. Specific instrumentation available include:Electron Microscopy:

Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM)(JEOL JSM-7500F), Lyra Focused Ion Beam-Scanning Electron Microscope (FIB-SEM) with an EDS

Microanalysis System, Fera Focused Ion Beam-Scanning Electron Microscope (FIB-SEM) with EBSD and

Integrated Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (ToF-SIMS), and Electron microprobe with Wavelength Dispersive Spectroscopy (WDS)

Thermal and Electrical Analysis Thermal mechanical analysis (TMA) Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) Dielectric spectroscopy Hot Disc thermal conductivity analysis

Surface Analysis X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)/Ultraviolet Photoelectron S pectroscopy (UPS) MultiMode Atomic Force M icroscope (AFM) Nanoindenter Dip pen nanolithography Imaging ellipsometer Cameca ion microprobe Icon Atomic Force M icroscope (AFM)

Fabrication Electron beam deposition chamber

Spectroscopy and Microscopy Spectrofluorometer UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer Raman confocal microscope Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer Fluorescent confocal microscope

MICROSCOPY & IMAGING CENTER (MIC) The mission of the Microscopy & Imaging Center (MIC) is to provide current and emerging technologies for teaching and research involving microscopy and imaging in Life and Physical Sciences on the Texas A&M campus and beyond, training and support services for microscopy,

sample preparation, in situ elemental/molecular analyses, as well as digital image analysis and processing. This facility promotes cutting edge research in basic and applied sciences through research and development activities, as well as quality training and education through individual training, short courses and formal courses that can be taken for credit.Instruments available at the MIC include:

Light Microscopy o Zeiss Axiophot o Olympus FV1000 confocal microscope o Multiphoton non-linear optical microscope o Deconvolutiono Nikon Stereo Photo Microscope

Scanning Electron Microscopy o FEI Quanta 600 FE-SEM o Tescan Vega3 SEMo Zyvex S100 Nanomanipulator

Transmission Electron Microscopy o FEI Tecnai G2   F20   FE Cryo-TEM o FEI Tecnai G2   F20   ST FE-TEM - Materials o JEOL 1200 EX TEM o JEOL JEM-2010 TEM o Analog & Digital Image Analysis o Ancillary Equipment

Correlative Light and Electron Cryo-Microscopy o FEI cryo-fluorescence stage on the Olympus microscope

AGGIEFABAggieFab Nanofabrication Cleanroom: The AggieFab at Texas A&M is a 5000 sq. ft. class 100 and 1000 cleanroom open to the campus community as a core facility. The facility is currently located in the Jack E. Brown building, but will be soon moved to the newly built GERB. The facility houses state of the art micro and nano fabrication equipments (mask aligner, spinner, metal evaporator, RIE, PECVD, oxidation/diffusion furnaces, wire bonder, dicing saw, polisher) and various analysis equipments (microscope, profilometers, ellipsometer, probe station). The facility has multiple chemical hoods and laminar hoods and is equipped with in-house de-ionized water, vacuum, and nitrogen. Research equipments include an electron beam lithography system (Tescan Mira 3 EBL), two mask aligners (MJB-3, MA-6, Karl Suss Microtech), two spin coaters, five electron beam evaporators (four Lesker PVD75 series, Temescale Ebeam evaporator), a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD, Unaxis 790) system, a low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD, MTI RTP) system, four dry etching systems (STS Multiplex ICP etch system with Bosch Process, Oxford Plasmalab 100 ICP RIE, Oxford Plasmalab 80 metal etch, Oxford Plasmalab 80 dielectric etch), two polishers, two profilometers (Bruker DektakXT), a thin film analysis tool (Ocean Optics NanoCalc DUV), a dicing saw, a wire bonder (Kulicke & Soffa 4500), an O2 plasma asher, four oxidation/diffusion furnaces, multiple hot plates, ovens, and chemical hoods. Dr. Han has full access to this facility with multiple postdoctoral researchers and graduate students fully trained to use all equipment needed for this project.

Departmental Facilities:

Aero and Fluid Dynamics LabMany pressure and velocity measuring devices, are available, including manometers, pressure transducers, and laser Doppler anemometers. Smoke and helium bubble generators are used for flow visualization. In addition, various data acquisition and signal conditioning instruments are included in this lab. Faculty supervisor: Othon Rediniotis

Center for Mechanics and Control (http://aerobotics.tamu.edu/) This center forms the research group for Dynamics and Control in the Aerospace Engineering department at TAMU.Affiliated Centers:

Consortium for Autonomous Space Systems (CASS)Texas Institute for Intelligent Bio-Nano Materials and Structures for Aerospace Vehicles

(TiiMS)Spacecraft Technology Center (STC)

Affiliated Laboratories:Flight Simulation LaboratoryVision LaboratoryDynamics and Control LaboratoryFluid Dynamics LaboratoriesOran W. Nicks Low Speed Wind TunnelFlight Mechanics LaboroatryComputational Intelligence and Sensing for Aerospace RoboticsAutonomous Systems LaboratoryFlight Research Laboratory

Aerospace Technology Research & Operations (ASTRO) (http://astrocenter.tamu.edu/) ASTRO is a Texas Engineering Experiment Station center that helps researchers get their advanced engineering concepts to Technology Readiness Levels suitable for adoption by government and commercial users, and helps infuse those customers’ needs into the Texas A&M research and education process. The Aerospace Technology Research & Operations center pursues research, engineering and testing activities in the areas of power systems, thermal management, space sensors, and other electronics systems. It pursues programs that provide valuable applied research and training opportunities for professors, students and industry collaborators.

Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute (AVSI) (http://www.avsi.aero/) The Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute addresses issues impacting the aerospace community through international cooperative research and collaboration conducted by industry, government and academia. AVSI is a cooperative research environment comprised of major aerospace companies and government organizations working along with academia to solve problems common to its members. AVSI provides a predefined framework for cooperative research allowing members to save money through cost sharing and to solve problems outside the scope of a single organization.

AggieSat Lab Satellite Program (http://aggiesatweb.tamu.edu/) The goal of the AggieSat Lab Satellite Program is to develop and demonstrate modern technologies by using a small-satellite platform, while educating students and enriching the undergraduate experience. Our Lab takes an integrated approach to small-spacecraft research, design-build-fly, and education for multidisciplinary teams of freshmen through graduate students, along with industry and government affiliates. Our Lab is currently engaged in a four-mission campaign with NASA Johnson Space Center to demonstrate autonomous rendezvous and docking technologies. The AggieSat Lab is located in Room 120 of the Munnerlyn Astronomical Laboratory & Space Engineering Building. This facility supports hardware and software design, prototyping, fabrication, and on-orbit operations for students conducting research and building microsatellites meeting sponsor objectives and requirements. Our Lab complies with Federal ITAR and operates under industry-standard configuration management, quality assurance, safety, and documentation practices. Contact Dr. Helen Reed.

Center for Autonomous Vehicles and Sensor Systems (CANVASS) ( http://lsuasc.tamucc.edu/canvass.php ) The Center for Autonomous Vehicles and Sensor Systems is a joint venture of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) and the Texas A&M University Dwight Look College of Engineering (COE). CANVASS is a 17-laboratory center with investigators from member COE departments (AERO, CSCE, CVEN, ECEN, MEEN, BAEN, ETID) administered through the Department of Aerospace Engineering. CANVASS connects the relevant research talents from these labs to create multidisciplinary teams that develop innovative, synergistic strategies for the design, analysis, control, validation and verification of complex autonomous vehicle and sensor systems operating in challenging environments. Director: John Valasek

CANVASS comprises the following. Riverside Range: Outdoor facilities at the Texas A&M University's Riverside Campus in

Bryan, Texas Unmanned Flight Laboratory Vehicle Systems & Control Laboratory Helicopter Unmanned Systems Laboratory Land, Air and Space Robotics Laboratory AggieSat Laboratory Disaster City

CANVASS allows an orderly progression from indoor on-campus labs to initial TRL7 testing and a gateway to other larger, full-scale test ranges. CANVASS research activities develop innovative, synergistic strategies for the design, analysis, control, validation and verification of complex autonomous vehicle and sensor systems operating in challenging environments.

Center for Intelligent Multifunctional Materials and Structures (CiMMS) (http://tiims.tamu.edu/about.html) NASA chose Texas A&M University to lead the Texas Institute of Intelligent Bio-Nano Materials and Structures for Aerospace Vehicles (TiiMS), bringing together some of the top researchers in Texas and the world - including a Nobel laureate and several members of the National Academies - in biotechnology, nanotechnology, biomaterials and aerospace engineering to develop the next generation of bio-nano materials and structures for aerospace vehicles.

CiMMS is a continuation of the TiiMS effort as a TEES Center with a collaborative effort of professors and researchers from six universities: Prairie View A&M University, Rice University, Texas A&M University, Texas Southern University, University of Houston, and The University of Texas at Arlington. Director: Amine Benzerga

Estimation, Decision, and Planning Laboratory (EDP Lab) (http://edplab.org) The EDP Lab focuses on Nonlinearity, Dimensionality, and Uncertainty in estimation and control problems, with applications to Mobile Robotics, Morphing Aircraft, and Distributed Parameter Systems. This research is at the confluence of control theory, robotics, AI, and information theory. Faculty contact: Suman Chakravorty.

General Materials LabThe General Materials Lab is used for the evaluation and simple processing of materials. Laboratory equipment includes two screw-driven load frames (one manual, one computer-controlled); a creep frame; sample preparation and evaluation equipment, including polishing and etching equipment and an optical microscope; sample processing furnaces; and Charpy, IZOD and Rockwell hardness test capability. The lab is used for an undergraduate materials lab, and priority is given to this class. Faculty supervisor: Tom Pollock

Klebanoff-Saric Unsteady/Quiet Wind Tunnel (http://kswt.tamu.edu/facility/) The Klebanoff-Saric Wind Tunnel (KSWT) is a low-disturbance, closed-loop wind tunnel designed for boundary layer stability and transition experiments. Tunnel Capabilities and Flow Quality - All tunnel systems (motor, data acquisition, and traverse) are controlled through an in-house C++ program. With an empty test section, the speed in the test section can reach 30 m/s and can be controlled to within ± 0.1 m/s. The tunnel can be set to a constant motor speed, constant velocity, or constant Reynolds number depending on the test. he defining feature of the KSWT is the low-disturbance test environment. The freestream turbulence intensity is less than 0.02% across the full range of operating conditions in the tunnel. Instrumentation The KSWT is well equipped to make many different types of pressure, velocity, and temperature measurements as well as different flow visualization techniques. The instrumentation at the KSWT includes, but is not limited to, the following list:

Shear Stress Visualization o Infrared Thermographyo Napthalene Sublimation

10 channels of AA Systems CTA hotwire/hotfilm anemometry In-house CVA hotwire/hotflm anemometry system Three-dimensional traverse with μm sized step resolution in the wall-normal direction Mulitple MKS-Baratron static and differential pressure transducers Mitutoyo SJ-400 surface roughness tester KEMO VBF-44 Adjustable Amplifier/Filter (x3)

Laboratory for Uncertainty Quantification (http://uq.tamu.edu/) This lab focuses on developing algorithms to understand the influence of uncertainty on the behavior of dynamical systems and how they can be controlled. We use methods from statistical physics, optimization, approximation theory, control & estimation theory, and information theory to develop modeling, analysis and synthesis tools for UQ. Some of the applications we are

currently working on include certification of flight control laws, assessment of risk in planetary reentry problems, uncertainty management in cyber physical systems, design of nonlinear filters & estimators, and probabilistic robust control. Our publications, project information, etc, can be accessed from the webpage. This work is funded by NASA, NSF and AFOSR. Faculty supervisor: Raktim Bhattacharya

Land, Air, and Space Robotics (LASR) Lab (http://lasr.tamu.edu/) The LASR Lab is a robotics facility operated by the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M University. The lab conducts research in robotic sensing and control with an aim to enhance the fields of proximity operations, human-robot interaction, stereo vision, swarm robotics, and autonomous aerial vehicles. Faculty supervisor: John Junkins

Located at Easterwood Airport, the LASR Lab sports many features of a world-class robotics facility. The indoor robotics arena is the centerpiece of the lab, offering 2000 square feet of flat floor for ground robots. Twelve foot ceilings give aerial vehicles plenty of room to maneuver. Black curtains, floors, walls, and ceiling simulate the outer space environment, where a single strong light source may provide illumination for realistic optical sensing experiments. A fabrication room and electronics workspace adjoin the main arena. The conference room and graduate student offices complete the package that this facility offers for any advanced robotics research program.

Materials and Structures Laboratory – supports the Materials and Structures research focused faculty within the AERO department.

Mechanical Testing Mechanical testing can be performed on any of several different types of load frames in order to meet the requirements of a particular test. The load frame types include: MTS axial (Figure 1), closed-loop, servo hydraulic test systems with load capacities ranging from 20 to 110 KiP's; one MTS axial (Figure 2), closed-loop, screw-driven All of the load frames are completely automated with data acquisition, reduction and control software written specifically for tests typically associated with constitutive parameter evaluation and damage mechanics. In addition, three axial load frames are specifically equipped with alignment fixtures and hydraulic collet grips to precisely align the load train for ceramic specimens, as well as compression testing.

Elevated Temperature Research For elevated temperature research, the laboratory is appropriately equipped with furnaces, extensometry and temperature sensing/control devices, to suit a variety of isothermal, as well as transient temperature testing requirements. Test temperatures ranging from room temperature to 2,800°F can be accomplished using one of several different heating methods. The various types include: a Research Inc. 4KW quad elliptical quartz lamp oven; an MTS three zone resistive heating clamshell furnace (Figure 3); an MTS single zone, molybdenum disilicide, rapid resistive heating furnace; and two MTS environmental chambers. The lab also has a variety of extensometry for low to moderate temperatures, as well as temperatures in excess of 2800°F. Where applicable, these include: MTS tension/compression axial (models 632.41 and 632.59) and diametral (model 632.60) extensometers with a 1 inch gage capacity and ceramic and/or quartz extension rods; an MTS biaxial extensometer (model 632.85); and an assortment of MTS axial clip gages (models 632.11, 632.12, and 632.25) with gage capacities of 0.5 through 1 inch.

Dual setpoint digital temperature controllers, with autotune PID control, can be used in conjunction with either an optical pyrometer or thermocouples in order to precisely meet the test temperature requirements. In addition, up to 32 temperature measurements, from intrinsically or contact mounted thermocouples, can be digitized via the low level data acquisition system and simply recorded or used to control other events in the test environment. A Testorr vacuum / inert gas furnace from Centorr (Figure 4) is mated to our 20 KIP MTS load frame, with the capability to be transferred to any other load frame. The temperature capability of this unit is in excess of 2000°C, and pressures lower than 1 x 10 6 Torr can be achieved. The furnace is compatible with argon, nitrogen and helium atmospheres.

Compaction, Sintering, Diffusion Bonding and Pressing of Metal and Ceramic Powders Also located in the Material and Structures Laboratory is a facility for the compaction, sintering, diffusion bonding and pressing of metal and ceramic powders. Specifications of the major items of equipment in this laboratory are as follows: Hot Isostatic Press (Figure 5): Asea Brown Bovari model QIC-3. Installed June, 1990. Maximum pressure: 30,000 psi. Maximum temperature of molebdenum furnace: 1450°C. Maximum temperature of graphite furnace: 2000°C. Dimensions of constant temperature zone: 10 cm diameter, 11 cm high. HIP temperature and pressure control and monitoring is programmable from a desktop workstation (IBM PC compatible). Cold Press: Hydraulic unit designed and fabricated by Dr. Pollock can be configured as a unidirectional or quasi-isostatic press. Maximum force: 10,000 lbs Maximum pressure: 25,000 psi. Uses interchangeable die bodies and rams. Accommodates articles up to 3 cm x 3cm x 10 cm in size, and is readily modified for larger work. Sintering Furnaces: Four furnaces (Figure 6a & 6b) of various capacities can be programmed with multiple set points and all have inert atmosphere capability. Vacuum sintering is also done in the Centorr Vacuum Furnace.

Microstructural Analysis and Material Characterization To ensure the highest quality metallagraphy, all required preparatory equipment is provided. This includes a Struers Secotom-10 automatic low-force diamond saw and a Struers automatic polisher with Multidoser diamond solution dispenser. (Figure 7) The lab is equiped with a Leica MEF4M metallograph, high resolution digital camera, Image-Pro imaging software, and a color laser printer for image analysis. (Figure 8) A Perkin Elmer Pyris 1 Differential Scanning Calorimeter is also utilized for measurement of transformation temperatures and latent heat associated with phase transformations. (Figure 9) The LaserMike is used to make highly accurate dimension measurements via a wide laser beam. The repeatability of this micrometer is 0.00002 in. This device has been retrofitted with a custom heating/cooling stage and is software controlled for completely autonomous testing and subsequent data acquisition. Current uses include the accurate measurement of material coefficients of thermal expansion. (Figure 10)

Pictures:

Figure 1: MTS Axial

Figure 2: ATM axial-torsional

Figure 3: MTS Three Zone Resistive Clamshell Furnace

Figure 4: Testorr vacuum/inert gas furnace from Centorr

Figure 5: Hot Isostatic Press

Figure 6a: Box Furnace

Figure 6b: Cylindrical Furnace

Figure 7: Struers Sample Preparation

Figure 8: Leica MEF4M Metallograph

Figure 9: Perkin Elmer Pyris 1 DSC

Figure 10: Beta BenchMike 283 Laser Micrometer

Materials and Testing LabThe Materials and Testing Lab is primarily used for processing and evaluating high-temperature metal matrix composite (MMC) materials, but the lab can be used to evaluate and process a wide range of materials. Three hydraulically-based MTS load frames are available for uniaxial mechanical testing. Each load frame can be equipped with one of five furnaces used in high temperature material evaluation. A hot isostatic press (HIP) and various furnaces are available to process metal matrix composites. This lab also includes various temperature-measuring devices. Faculty supervisor: Amine Benzerga

National Aerothermochemistry Lab (http://nal.tamu.edu/) The Texas A&M University National Aerothermochemistry Laboratory (NAL) is a graduate research facility founded by Professor R. Bowersox to perform leading research and to house unique facilities in support of National interests in high-speed gas dynamics, unsteady flows, and flows with thermal and chemical non-equilibrium effects. Primary sponsorship is provided by the US Air Force, Army and NASA. The laboratory is a true multidisciplinary research resource, with significant faculty involvement from both Aerospace Engineering and Chemistry. The laboratory is currently considered a National Resource by the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Faculty supervisor: Rodney Bowersox

To accomplish the NAL mission, we combine modern theoretical modeling with state-of-the-art facilities, instrument and computational methods. Brief overviews of the major laboratory resources are given below:

Blow-down Hypersonic Tunnels: Mach 6 Quiet Tunnel (M6QT) is a seminal low-disturbance facility that transitioned from

NASA Langley to TAMU for fundamental studies of boundary layer stability and transition. The quiet Reynolds number range is 3.0 - 11.0 million per meter. The nozzle exit diameter is 0.18 m; the run time is 40 sec, and the duty cycle is 2.5 hours.

Actively Controlled Expansion (ACE) Hypersonic Tunnel is a unique large-scale continuously variable Mach number (5-8) facility developed at TAMU to study turbulent and transitional flows using modern laser diagnostics. The Reynolds number range is 0.5 - 7.0 million per meter. The nozzle exit is 0.23 m x 0. 36 m; the run time is 40 sec, and the duty cycle is 2.5 hours.

Supersonic (M = 2.2, 3.0 and 5.0) High-Reynolds (SHR) Tunnel is a smaller scale high Reynolds number facility (Re/m = 40 - 60 million) developed at TAMU for fundamental turbulent boundary layer research and/or scramjet fuel injector studies. The nozzle exit is 7.6 cm x 7.6 cm; the run time is 30 min, and the duty cycle is 2.5 hours.

Pulsed Hypersonic Test Cells: Repetitively Pulsed Hypersonic Test Cell is small scale O(cm) facilityl developed to

mature our laser diagnostic systems. The facility produces a continuous train of 10 msec pulses of high-speed flow (M = 3.0 - 6.2), which is synchronized to our Q-switched lasers. The duty cycle is 1 sec.

Pulsed Hypersonic Adjustable Contoured Expansion Nozzle Aerothermochemistry Testing Environment (PHACENATE “fascinate”) facility is O(10 cm) variable Mach (3-7) facility to study non-equilibrium flows. The facility produces a continuous train of 10

msec pulses of high-speed flow (M = 4.5 - 6.0), which is synchronized to our Q-switched lasers. The duty cycle is 15 sec.

High-Enthalpy Impulse Tunnels: A large-scale Hypervelocity Expansion Tunnel (HXT) that provides total enthalpies up to

14 MJ/kg is under development. The facility will have 0.6 m nozzle exit. The planned nozzle exit Mach numbers are 9.0 and 15.0. The run time is O(ms), and the planned duty cycle is 3 hrs.

A moderate scale and moderate enthalpy (3 MJ/kg) Shock Tunnel is available. This facility is fitted with a planar Mach 5.0 nozzle, with a 0.13 m x 0.13 m exit. The run time is up to 7 ms, with a duty cycle of 1 hr.

Specialty Tunnels: A McKenna Flat Flame Burner is used for high temperature diagnostic development. This

burner has stainless steel outer housing, with a bronze water cooled porous sintered matrix. A Low-speed RF-Plasma (RFP) low pressure, recirculation channel flow wind tunnel,

which was developed to study the effects of thermal non-equilibrium on turbulent and transitional flows. The facility is fitted with a 2.5 kW, 13.56 MHz RF power generator, which provides an opportunity to produced flows with significant amounts of vibrationally excited nitrogen.

Unsteady aerodynamic Dynamic Stall Facility (DSF), which consists of test section liners for the TAMU Oran Nicks Low-Speed Wind Tunnel to achieve higher Mach numbers and hydraulic apparatus to pitch wings at frequencies up to 10 Hz. The facility is used to study dynamic stall at realistic flight Mach (0.1 – 0.4) and chord Reynolds numbers (1.0 – 4.0 million).

Instrumentation:Utilization and development of modern instrumentation are important aspect of our research. We utilize these instruments quantify flow structure and unexplored mechanisms ranging from non-equilibrium molecular effects to fundamental hydrodynamics. The instrumentation includes: Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), Molecular Tagging Velocimetry (MTV), Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence (PLIF), Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy (CARS), Raman and Emission Spectroscopy, Multiple-overheat hot-wire anemometry (HWA), Pressure sensitive paint (PSP), Temperature sensitive paints (TSP), Conventional schlieren, Focusing schlieren w/ deflectometry, High-speed photography, Infrared thermography, and Kulite and PCB Pressure Transducers. We have also pioneered a new Vibrationally-excited NO Monitoring (VENOM) technique for combined MTV and 2-line PLIF thermometry to enable direct measurement of the turbulent heat flux. A new dual plane system (VENOM2) is under development to provide 3-D velocimetry and a more complete quantification of the thermodynamic state.

Computations:We utilize large scale computations to examine the intricate details of the flow structure, design experiments and test physical models. Our group has access to multi-million cpu-hour allocations via resource allocations at NSF-supported TeraGrid resources such as Ranger at TACC (UT Austin) and Kraken at NICS (U. Tenn./ORNL) as well as other DoE and DoD supported machines, which are among the most powerful supercomputers currently available to academic researchers in the world. In addition, we perform simulations on an in-house maintained 32-node cluster, larger department clusters, and TAMU supercomputers. A suite of

in-house and commercial simulation and visualization software are used to characterize flow structure, verify mathematical model performance, and aid in experimental design.

Oran W. Nicks Low Speed Wind Tunnel (http://lswt.tamu.edu/) The Oran W. Nicks Low Speed Wind Tunnel is a self-contained research facility located near Texas A&M. It is a closed-circuit, single-return type tunnel, with a rectangular test section 10 feet wide and seven feet high and housed in a two-story building. The administrative building, tunnel and test section, external balance and drive motor all have independent foundations to reduce the transmission of vibrations among them. A wide variety of tests are conducted at the wind tunnel for industry, governmental agencies, educational institutions, and private individuals. Tests at the tunnel have dealt with, but are not limited to aircraft, space vehicles, ground vehicles, buildings and offshore structures. The wind tunnel can provide many different types of information during a test. It is used for both basic and applied airflow research and development and also provides instructional aid for students of various departments.

Propulsion LabThis lab contains a fully instrumented and working turbine engine originally designed for cruise missiles. Inlet and nozzle configurations can be changed to vary engine inlet and back pressure. Faculty supervisor: Paul Cizmas

Structural Dynamics Testing LabThe Structural Dynamics Testing Lab exists for the dynamic testing of components and assemblies. The room contains a test frame capable of handling objects up to 25 feet long and weighing up to 2,000 pounds. Equipment and instrumentation in this lab centers around dynamic testing and evaluation of structures, including various shakers, accelerometers and stain gages. This lab and its equipment are also used for an undergraduate instrumentation lab; priority is given to this class. Faculty supervisor: Tom Pollock

Uncertainly Quantification Laboratory (http:// Uq.tamu.edu )We focus on understanding the influence of uncertainty in engineering systems and developing algorithms to control them in the presence of such uncertainties. We consider uncertainty in dynamics, communication and computation in our research. Fundamentals from optimization theory, approximation theory, control & estimation theory, and information theory are applied to develop new modeling, analysis and synthesis tools for uncertainty quantification. We focus on applications related to aerospace systems and robotics. Led by Raktim Bhattacharya

Unmanned Flight LaboratoryThe Unmanned Flight Laboratory flight test facility is used for experimental research, flight demonstrations, and FAA certification of small to medium sized fixed-wing and rotor-wing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The laboratory is located in a 5,000 square foot hanger next to the control tower at the former Bryan Air Force base (83TX), and a 7,000 foot runway is retained in "active" status for UAS flight testing. The flight testing area is a box approximately 1.5 miles by 1.5 miles. The six fixed-wing UAS in use at this facility are the Pegasus I and Pegasus II vehicles (80lb GTOW, 20 lb payload, 12 foot wing span), a UAV Factory Penguin B, a modified R/C Rascal 110, a modified Extra 300, and a BAE Systems Maxdrone. In addition, several rotorcraft UAS are operated from the facility including a Rotor Buzz II (115 lb empty

weight, 100 lb payload), two Align 600's, an Align 700, and a Mikado Logo 14. All rotorcraft UAS are equipped with autonomous flight capability including auto-takeoff and auto-land. Two manned aircraft are also maintained for chase duties: a Piper Super Cub and a Schweizer 2-32 Sailplane. The facility also includes ground-based UAS flight test equipment, an instrumented small engine test stand, and a complete fabrication and construction workshop. The entire 1,900 acre site is known as the Texas A&M Riverside Campus, and is located west of Bryan on Highway 21. Faculty supervisor: John Valasek.

Vehicle Systems & Control Laboratory (http://vscl.tamu.edu/) The Vehicle Systems & Control Laboratory is a part of the Texas A&M University Department of Aerospace Engineering. Faculty supervisor: John Valasek

Water Tunnel LabThe Water Tunnel Lab contains two water tunnels used as flow visualization tools by the Aerodynamics Lab and as a teaching aid for an undergraduate lab course. A hydrogen bubble (by water ionization), a laser light sheet and dye injection are used for flow visualization techniques in these water tunnels. This lab also contains video recording and viewing equipment to capture flow visualization data. Faculty supervisor: Othon Rediniotis

Wind Tunnel Complex ( http://aerospace-labs.tamu.edu/ ) The Wind Tunnel Complex at Texas A&M University is home to five world-class wind tunnels and one icing tunnel, offering a range of speeds and unsteady/steady flows. Both the Klebanoff-Saric Unsteady Wind Tunnel and the NASA-Langley Mach 6 Quiet Tunnel are run by Flight Research Laboratory personnel. The TAMU National Aerothermochemistry Laboratory houses the High-Reynolds-Number Blow-Down Tunnel (Mach 3-6), the NASA-Langley (Mach 6) Quiet Tunnel, and the MURI Tunnel (Mach 7).  The Oran W. Nicks Low-Speed Wind Tunnel is a large-scale, subsonic wind tunnel located at Easterwood Airport (CLL) in College Station.

Other Facilities:

Machine Shops and Prototyping facilities (Mech. Engr. Dept. and Chemistry Department) - complete with mills, lathes, drills, presses, and full-time dedicated personnel to assist in the design and construction of custom-made laboratory equipment.

Lone Star UAS Center (http://lsuasc.tamucc.edu/) LSUASC research goals and objectives align with FAA focal areas:

System safety: LSUASC supports the FAA by reporting test-site data supporting FAA rule-making and establishing procedures to integrate UAS safely into the NAS.

Airworthiness: LSUASC implements and develops airworthiness processes and standards to ensure safe operations in UAS research activity, which results in statements of airworthiness for all test-site UAS.

Command and control link issues: LSUASC develops command and control-link solutions to operate UAS systems safely.

Control station layout and certification (human factors): LSUASC develops human-factors solutions for UAS control-station layout and certification.

Ground and airborne detect-and-avoid technologies: LSUASC develops UAS ground and airborne detect-and-avoid technologies.

Environmental impacts of UAS operations: LSUASC assesses environmental impacts of UAS operations at launch and recovery sites and within the volume of authorized airspace.

Led by Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, the LSUASC offers test sites in response to an FAA initiative to integrate UAS into the national airspace. The test site and its test ranges across Texas and the nation were designed by former FAA air-traffic control experts, according to FAA requirements for certificates of authorization (COA) and the screening information request (SIR) that solicited test-site proposals from public entities in February 2013. 

Institute for Scientific Computation (http://isc.tamu.edu/) The ISC is a multidisciplinary research center devoted to designing, analyzing, and implementing innovative computational tools that advance scientific engineering research and education. ISC researchers include internationally recognized Texas A&M faculty members devoted to collaborating on major national and global research efforts with other universities, industrial partners, and the government. The ISC also serves as an excellent training ground for students, both graduate and undergraduate, and postdoctoral scholars in a variety of academic disciplines within scientific computing technologies. Resources include the Immersive Visualization Center (IVC) with SEOS rear projected curved screen: 25' x 8' semi-rigid curved screen (12' radius). 3 stereo DLP projectors.

SuperMicro workstation Two Intel Xeon X5560 quad core processors, 2.8GHz 48GB DDR3-1333 RAM Dual nVidia Quadro 5800 video cards, each with 4GB RAM 5TB SATA storage openSuSE Linux version 11.2

Anechoic Chamber and Antenna Measurement SystemThe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University is home to a state-of-the-art automated antenna measurement system. It includes a newly constructed anechoic chamber from ETS Lindgren. The chamber interior measures 24ft, 10ft, and 6.5ft in length, width, and height, respectively. It has been designed to provide high fidelity measurements from 800MHz to 140GHz. This features a quiet zone with better than 20dB attenuation using an automated measurement system for RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave frequencies based on components from Keysight Technologies and Virginia Diodes, Inc. This structure is instrumental to prototyping and testing.

Magnetic Resonance Systems Lab (http://www.ece.tamu.edu/~mrsl/)The MRSL facilities consist of two laboratories. The research facility is housed in the University Services Building. The lab houses a 4.7 Tesla, 33 cm horizontal bore superconducting magnet and a 4.7 Tesla, 40 cm horizontal bore magnet. Both systems are driven by Varian Unity/Inova spectrometers. Unique instrumentation in the lab include a 64-channel MRI receiver and a 64-channel MRI transmitter built by grad students with funding from the National Medical Technology Test Bed (receiver) and the NIH (transmitter). Animal anesthesia system is available for small animal imaging. The lab also houses two permanent magnets donated by IGC.

A prototype desktop MRI, developed in the lab, is also available in the lab. The lab also houses two LPKF printed circuit milling machines, REMCOM XFDTD electromagnetic analysis software in addition to custom EM modeling tools developed in-house. Additional facilities include three network analyzers, one interfaced to a computer automated RF measurement system contained in a shielded chamber.

Materials Development and Characterization Center (MDC2) (http://mdc2.tamu.edu/)The Texas A&M Materials Development and Characterization Center was established in 2008 as a part of Materials Science and Engineering graduate program now a stand alone department. It is a user facility serving materials researchers at Texas A&M University College Station campus, and other system members, various Universities and industry.

MDC 2 houses the fabrication and characterization instrumentations required for fundamental science research as well as applications as new materials and devices. The Center interacts multi users such as multiple departments in the Texas A&M University community, the US National Labs, US Army, Navy and Air force, and commercial companies for research and development.

MDC2 Instrumentation includes:Squid VSM - The system offers unique versatility in materials research by measuring the Magnetic moments as a function of Magnetic Field( 0 to 7 Tesla), Temperature (2 K to 400 K) and time through its capabilities over highest quality data acquisition. It allows automated magnetic moment measurement for automated control over magnetic field, temperature and time changes. Its sensitivity to measure magnetic moment of the range of 10 -8 emu and capability to cool the sample from room temperature to 2 K within 30 minutes makes the system unique.

Magnetron Sputtering Applicable for conducting and nonconducting materials Vacuum of the order of 10 exp(-8) Torr Stage temperature: 300 degree Celsius Three dc target One RF target

BRUKER D8 X-ray Cu sealed tube X-ray Source Third generation Gobel Mirror provides the X-ray highest flux density Dynamic Scintillation detector and Sol X detector also available System is designed for easy and failsafe operation High performance optics provide the optimum resolution for each application and sample Centric Eulerian Cradle provides advantage for texture, micro diffraction investigation 5 inch vacuum chuck Thermally controlled stage for measurement from Room Temperature to 1100 degree Celsius Rietveld Refinement analysis

Spark Plasma Sintering System SPS is high speed powder consolidation process High amperage pulsed DC current is used to activate the consolidation and reaction-sintering

of materials Full density and controlled porosity Pre-forming and binders NOT necessary

Retains nanometric particle structure Fast cycle times Powder-to-part net and near-net shapes Minimal grain growth Ease of use Max. Temp.: 2200 degree Celsius Max. Ramp Rate: 200 degree Celsius/minute Max. Pressure: 100 Mpa Die size(dia): 20 to 50 mm

Glove Box The OMNI-Lab's glovebox provides a working volume of inert atmosphere nearly free of

moisture and oxygen. The glovebox is a hermetically sealed, stainless steel enclosure with a full-view window. Installed is a right side mounted 15" inside diameter antechamber with an interior and exterior entry/exit airlock door, used for passing materials in and out without disturbing the glovebox atmosphere. All materials are passed in and out of the glovebox on a sliding tray installed in the antechamber.

9" diameter glove ports and butyl rubber gloves, mounted in the full-view window, provide easy access to all areas of the glovebox. Two standard customer interface connections are located on the left side of the glovebox. Electrical connections inside the glovebox are provided with a standard duplex receptacle box on the lower right side.

It provides optional moisture and oxygen analyzers mounted on the control panel. There are 2 models of each type of analyzer. The basic analyzers provide autoranging displays from 10 ppm to percent ranges. The moisture and oxygen analyzers are also available in models with added user adjustable setpoints for audio alarm activation

Tube Furnace Max. Temperature: 1500 degree Celsius Max. Ramp Rate: 15 degree Celsius/Minute Vacuum: 10 exp(-4) Torr

Tape Casting Machine The Procast Precision tape casting machine is a full line of versatile Casting/Coating

Machines for the production of high quality cast/coated products. Systems range in length from 12 feet, ideal for lab scale applications, to over 100 feet. It is equally adept at either continuous or batch operation. Casting/coating thicknesses from 0.001" to 0.125" and widths from 4" to 52" Can be routinely produced on a daily basis on PRO-CAST® machines

Precise casting/coating surface ground and certified to a tolerance of+0.0003". Sturdy structure with a solid level casting/coating platform. Precisely set gaps for doctor blade or coating heads. Systems to consistently deliver slurry to the surface of the carrier. Forced, preheated air drawn in a counter-flow direction for convective drying, solvent

gradient control, and exhaust removal. Exhaust system sized to be compatible with solvent or aqueous based slurries.

Arc Melter System - Edmund Buhler´s Arc Melting system provides following features: Multi-purpose button and groove crucibles in a copper base plate. Highly reliable, hydraulic heavy-duty hoist. Contactless high-voltage, high-frequency arc ignition.

Water-cooled, double-walled high vacuum chamber. Motor driven, water-cooled tungsten electrode which can be moved freely above the

crucibles. Excellent observation of the melting process through two viewing ports. All important control functions are integrated in the head of the electrode and ensure safe and

convenient operation. Complete pumping system and supply units. Powerful generators for melting quantities up to 500g and approx. 4000°C (400 and 800 A). Special design of the vacuum chamber for large batches up to approx. 500 g or for in situ casting of the molten alloys. Manipulator for turning small samples in situ.

Differential scanning calorimeter- The Differential scanning calorimeter (TA instruments model Q 2000) system offers unique versatility in materials research by determining the temperature and heat flow associated with material transition as a function of time and temperature (minus 183 C to 725 C) through its capabilities over auto sampler and auto temperature control during quality data acquisition. The SDT Q600 provides simultaneous measurement of weight change (TGA) and true differential heat flow (DSC) on the same sample from ambient to 1,500 ˚C. It features a field-proven horizontal dual beam design with automatic beam growth compensation, and the ability to analyze two TGA samples simultaneously. DSC heat flow data is dynamically normalized using the instantaneous sample weight at any given temperature

Keyence VHX-2000 optical Microscope - The VHX-2000 Digital Microscope is designed to alleviate the shortcomings of traditional, optical light microscopes - shallow depth-of-field, short working distance, lack of portability and versatility, sample limitations. This system is equipped with a CCD camera, 17" LCD monitor, light source, controller, analysis/reporting software and a motorized XY stage along with motorized Z-axis lens control which helps to improve the speed and efficiency of the inspection process. This system has a capability of a wide ranged microscopic observation with magnification range from 50x - 1000x. Other features are as follows:

360 degree observation 2D/3D imaging and measurement capability, including automated measurement tools High-speed image stitching Super Resolution imaging mode High Dynamic Range [HDR] Depth composition function for full-focus imaging 54 megapixel 3CCD camera

MTS compression testing system - The MTS compression system ( model MTS insight 30 SL) is comprised of load frame with force capacity of 1kN to 300kN with minimum test speed 0.001 mm/min. and maximum speed 500 mm/min. The position resolution is 0.001 mm. It is DC 4 Quadrant Motor driven system. This system is controlled by TestWorks software which provides fully automatic machine control, data acquisition and also temperature control in the range of minus 80 C to 300 C.

TAMU Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) Laboratory

Same as “TAMU Deformation Processing Laboratory”? https://engineering.tamu.edu/materials/researchListed under: Equal Channel Angular Extrusion Laboratory: The Equal Channel Angular Extrusion (ECAE) process was invented in the former Soviet Union by Vladimir Segal in 1977. Dr. Segal himself worked as an associate in the TAMU ECAE lab from 1992 to 1995. Researchers in the TAMU Deformation Processing Laboratory have been conducting research on the ECAE process since 1992. ECAE is an innovative process capable of producing uniform plastic deformation in a variety of materials without causing significant change in geometric shape or cross section.

Shape Memory Alloys Research Team (SMART) (http://smart.tamu.edu/facilities/facilities/availablefacilities.htm)The Shape Memory Alloy Research Team (SMART) consists of faculty, research staff and students, whose main interest is in developing experimentally verifiable constitutive models for Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) together with design capabilities of active or "smart" structures that utilize the shape memory effect for shape and actuation control applications. The group is supported by state of the art thermomechanical characterization facilities, which are integrated with the dynamics, control, flight simulation and fluid mechanics laboratory facilities, forming an Intelligent Systems Laboratory (ILS) network. This research effort initiated at Texas A&M University in 1992 and has been supported mainly by the Army Research Office, Office of Naval Research, Air Force Office of Scientific Research and the State of Texas.

A comprehensive laboratory for the experimental study of the thermomechanical behavior of materials is located in the Center for Mechanics of Composites at Texas A&M University. The Laboratory is equipped for experimental research in the areas of constitutive evaluation of Materials, structural testing, and nondestructive evaluation including X-ray radiography, moireinterferometry, and HIPing.

Mechanical testing : Mechanical testing can be performed on any of several different types of load frames and/or creep frames, in order to meet the requirements of a particular test. The load frame types include: MTS axial, closed loop, servo hydraulic test systems with load capacities ranging from 20 to 100 KIP's; one Adelaide axial torsional, closed loop, screw driven test system which can simultaneously or independently apply axial and torsional loads up to 20 KIP's and 10,000 in lbs, respectively; one MTS high rate, open loop, servo hydraulic test system capable of accelerating the cross head up to 60,000 in/sec and impacting a specimen with 24,000 in lbs of energy. All of the servo hydraulic load frames are completely automated and have data acquisition, reduction and control software written specifically for tests typically associated with constitutive parameter evaluation and damage mechanics. In addition, three axial load frames are specifically equipped with alignment fixtures and hydraulic collet grips in order to precisely align the load train for ceramic specimens, as well as compression testing.

The creep frames are of the direct load or lever arm type construction and have a load capacity of 10 KIP's. The creep frames are equipped with three zone clamshell style furnaces, capable of reaching a maximum temperature of 2,000°F, and compatible ATS LVDT indicating extensometry.

For elevated temperature research, the laboratory is appropriately equipped with furnaces, extensometry, and temperature sensing/control devices to suit a variety of isothermal, as well as transient temperature testing requirements. Test temperatures ranging from room temperature to

2,800°F can be accomplished using one of several different heating methods. The various types include: a Research Inc. 4KW quad elliptical quartz lamp oven; an MTS three zone resistive heating clamshell furnace; an MTS single zone, molybdenum disilicide, rapid resistive heating furnace; a Lepel SKW induction heating unit; and two MTS environmental chambers. The lab is also equipped with a variety of extensometry for low to moderate temperatures, as well as temperatures in excess of 2800°F. Where applicable, these include: MTS tension/compression axial (models 632.41 and 632.59) and diametral (model 632.60) extensometers with a 1 inch gage capacity and ceramic and/or quartz extension rods; an MTS biaxial extensometer (model 632.85); and an assortment of MTS axial clip gages (models 632.11, 632.12, and 632.25) with gage capacities of 0.5 through 1 inch. Dual setpoint digital temperature controllers, with auto-tune PID control, can be used in conjunction with either an optical pyrometer or thermocouples in order to precisely meet the test temperature requirements.

Hot Isostatic Press Facility: Located in the Department of Aerospace Engineering is a facility for the compaction, sintering, diffusion bonding and pressing of metal and ceramic powders. Specifications of the major items of equipment in this laboratory are listed below. All items and their supporting equipment are available to this project.

Hot Isostatic Press: Asea Brown Bovari model QIC 3. Installed June, 1990. Maximum pressure: 30,000 psi. Maximum temperature of molebdenum furnace: 1450°C. Maximum temperature of graphite furnace: 2000°C. Dimensions of constant temperature zone: 10 cm diameter, 11 cm high. HIP temperature and pressure control and monitoring is programmable from a desktop workstation (IBM PC compatible).

Cold Press: Hydraulic unit designed and fabricated by Dr. Pollock can be configured as a unidirectional or quasi isostatic press. Maximum force: 1000 lb. Maximum pressure: 25,000 psi. Uses interchangeable die bodies and rams. Accommodates articles up to 3 cm x 3cm x 10 cm in size, and is readily modified for larger work.

Sintering Furnaces: Four furnaces of various capacities can be programmed with multiple set points. All have inert atmosphere capability. Vacuum sintering is done in the HIP.

HIP Canning Facility: Necessary items for performing the proprietary vacuum canning process are available. Additionally, general purpose welding (TIG, MIG and oxyacetylene) equipment is provided.

Centorr Testorr Furnace: Front access furnace, model C-5583/20147. Vacuum/inert gas furnace which can be mated to any one of our four MTS load frames. Temperature capability of this furnace is 2000°C and can reach vacuum pressures lower than 10-6 Torr. The furnace is compatible with argon, nitrogen and helium atmospheres.

Microstructural Analysis: In addition, the material used in any or all of the aforementioned tests may be evaluated microstructurally by established metallographic techniques. The lab is equiped with a Leica MEF4M metallograph, Image-Pro imaging software, and a color laser printer for image analysis. A Perkin Elmer Pyris 1 Differential Scanning Calorimeter is also utilized for measurement of transformation temperatures and latent heat associated with phase transformations. For microstructural clarity, a Struers automatic polisher complements the metallograph and image analysis system, providing detailed images that can relate microstructural changes to observed mechanical behavior.

Computational Facilities: A number of networked PCs are available for the center, which encompass all experimental computers. This allows for the easy transmission of test data and results to anywhere in the world. Videoconference capabilities are also available to allow real-time, long distance discussion of project status and experiments with involved parties. Supercomputers, parallel computers, and supporting software are also available at Texas A&M University.

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

Laboratory Facilities

3'x4' Wind Tunnel at Texas A&M: This is a closed circuit wind tunnel with test section dimensions of 3'x4'. It has a contraction ratio of 9:1 and a maximum speed of 200 ft/sec. Within the last three years, this facility has evolved into a state of the art high productivity testing environment for the generation of high quality aerodynamic data with carefully quantified uncertainty bounds. The integrated testing environment incorporates the following flow diagnostics tools:

1. Model mount with a miniature six component internal balance (force resolution of 1 gram) and pitch/yaw model positioning capabilities.

2. Meso scale (7001lm) and miniature (1.4 mm) multi hole probes (5 hole and 7 hole probes) for flowfield velocity and pressure measurements, with a five degree of freedom probe positioning system. The current probe design allows for steady state measurements. Efforts have already been initiated to extent the probe frequency response to the order of KHz by implementing MEMS based pressure transducers (5 or 7, respectively) right at the tip of the probes. That will enable the measurement of unsteady and turbulent flows.

3. Three-Component, Fiber-Optic Laser-Doppler Velocimeter (LDV) for non-intrusive velocity measurements.

4. Cinematographic Particle Image Velocimeter (CPIV) for non-intrusive instantaneous global velocimetry (Gilarranz et. al, 1997). The system is capable of capturing and processing of frame-rates as high as 10,000 frames/sec and can yield, simultaneously, volumetric flowfield velocity measurements and solid boundary motion/deformation measurements. This type of data is of paramount importance to the microscale flow control proposed. Two of the system's features that enable micro-flow-diagnostics are (a) an equivalent pixel-resolution of each image of approximately 1000x1000 and (b) the capability of zooming the image to a physical domain of dimensions as low as 3mm x 3mm. The combination of features (a) and (b) yield velocity measurements on a micron scale. The project needs will also be supported by a full-time machinist, two part-time computer technicians, a machine shop, an electronics and computer-repair laboratory.

Active Materials Laboratory at Texas A&M: The Active Materials Laboratory at Texas A&M has recently added the ability to perform non proportional loading experiments, thermo-mechanical tests, as well as thermal analyses. In addition, the material used in any or all of the aforementioned tests may be evaluated microstructurally by established metallographic techniques. A mechanical test frame with the ability to load in tension and torsion enables successful 2-D characterization and modeling of Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs). To this same end, the Differential Scanning Calorimeter allows for measurement of transformation temperatures and latent heat associated with the phase transformation present in SMAs. In

addition, a widefield metallograph and image analysis system, complemented by a Pentium/450 computer including the latest graphic enhancing software (Image-Pro, Photoshop), permits the microstructural study of SMAs or various other materials. The metallograph and image analysis system accompany an automatic polisher and provide detailed images that can relate microstructural changes to observed mechanical behavior. The laboratory is also equipped with three servo hydraulic uniaxial load frames, which state-of-the-art digital computer hardware and software for data acquisition and control. For theorectical modeling of SMAs, the smart lab includes a Digital Alpha Personal Workstation 600-AU with ABAQUS and other FE analysis software.

Spacecraft Technology Center (STC) (stc.tamu.edu)The STC, part of the Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), advances spacecraft system technologies from basic research to practical application.

The Electroactive Materials and Characterization Laboratory – Departmental lab?

Nanomaterials and Advanced Composites Lab (NACL) – Departmental Lab?

Composite Processing Facility – Benzerga, Naraghi???

Materials Characterization Lab – Naraghi;

Multifunctional Nanomechanics Lab – Naraghi personal

High Temperature Materials Laboratory (HTML) – LeGraverend personal?

Advanced Vertical Flight Laboratory (AVFL)– Benedict personal lab

Tensegrity Structures Laboratory – Skelton personal lab?