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Research Facilities:

 

Acoustics and Vibration Laboratory

Currently there are several research apparatus for the measurement and analysis of nonlinear squeeze film effects and impact friction. Computer data acquisition systems are set up to obtain measured values from instrumentation such as a dual channel real-time spectrum analyzer and a four-channel digital oscilloscope for comparison with theoretical or numerical predictions. Vibration testing can be done using various shaker systems, an instrumented hammer and modal analysis software. The laboratory has a wide range of instruments for the measurement of vibration, sound, force and torque. As well the laboratory has five graduate student offices, two colour graphics computer terminals, several personal computers and a small lounge area.

 


Heat Transfer Laboratory

Computer assisted facilities are available for: the measurement, of both steady state and transient, free convecting boiling of fluids as a function of surface orientation, characterization and coverage; the simultaneous measurement of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of fluids over a wide temperature and pressure range; experiments on free convection and thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of fluids over a wide temperature and pressure range, and free convection and thermal stratifications. The thermohydraulics of pressure liquefied gas tanks protected by pressure relief devices when subjected to fire attack are experimentally studied using a small scale (40:l) vessel employing simulant fluids, and collaborative large scale (1500-10,000:1) field trials. On-site instrumentation, measurements and data analysis have been conducted for industrial heat exchangers. 

In addition, facilities exist for: two component LDV and quantitative flow visualizations; flow simulation of mixed and free convection. 

Computational Fluid Mechanics/Heat Transfer research in the above-mentioned areas is carried out via PHOENICS, FLUENT and FLOSYS in addition to custom programmes.

 


Manufacturing and Processing Laboratories

The Manufacturing and Processing Laboratory has two computer-controlled servo-hydraulic Instron machines with provision to conduct elevated and sub-ambient temperature testing. The laboratory has capabilities to test metals, plastics and ceramics. There is an instrumented Dynatup drop weight testing machine for metals and a fully equipped metallurgical laboratory. In addition to a high resolution inverted microscope with darkfield/brightfield, Nomarski and polarizing light features, there is access to the university's Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility. Other related facilities include numerical controlled (NC) milling machines; Unigraphics work stations for CAD and ANSYS finite element software. 

The department has a strong program in plastics characterization and processing, and houses three injection molding machines (25-ton, 50-ton, 150-ton) for teaching, research and prototyping parts for industry. Presently, there is an active research program, in collaboration with the Department of Chemical Engineering and industry, to optimize thin-walled plastics part manufacturing through the integration of design, plastics characterization, computer mold filling and cooling simulation, and intelligent instrumentation and controls.

 


UNB Thermal Analysis Unit

The thermal analysis unit was established in 1999 and features the only complete thermal analysis capability in New Brunswick for characterizing the thermophysical, mechanical and viscoelastic properties of polymers, elastomers, adhesives, coatings, wood and metals. The instruments include:
  • Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC)
  • Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA)
  • Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA)
These high precision instruments have the capabilities to characterize, quantitatively and qualitatively, a wide variety of liquid and solid materials over a considerable temperature range.


High-Resolution X-ray Microtomography (Micro-CT)

A Skyscan 1072 Micro Computed Tomography (Mirco-CT) scanner is available at the Laboratory, as part of the UNB’s project on Visualization of Materials – Structure and Function from Nanometers to Centimeters. The Micro-CT provides non-destructively 3D microscopic images of the internal structures of small objects (up to 22 mm diameter and 30 mm height) with high spatial resolution (about 2 to 5 μm).  In addition, the machine provides direct transmission (radiography-like) images. Micro-CT is useful in a wide variety of applications, such as imaging of bone fragments, geological samples, microelectronics, biological samples, composites, building materials, diamonds and cutting tools, etc.


Laboratory for Threat-Material Detection

The Laboratory for Threat-Material Detection (LTMD) was established at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) in Fredericton, NB, for the purpose of developing new technology for detecting materials that represent a threat to security, safety, health and the environment. Some examples are: landmines, explosives, drugs and contraband concealed in luggage and cargo, unexploded ordnance, etc. By collaborating with an industrial partner, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) Canada, LTMD aims at facilitating the production, manufacturing and marketing of the developed technology.


Nuclear Radiation Laboratory

The Laboratory has available extensive equipment and computational tools, namely: gamma and neutron sources; spectrometry systems for neutrons and gamma rays; BF-3, He-3 and proton-recoil neutron detectors; high-purity germanium and sodium iodide detectors for gamma rays; tritium counting and health physics equipment; PC-based data acquisition systems; Monte Carlo and discrete-ordinates codes for photon and neutron transport simulation; nuclear cross-section data libraries.

 


Fluid Mechanics Laboratory

The turbulence laboratory at UNB has an open circuit wind tunnel with a four meter long, 60 cm square, test section. It can produce very low turbulence flows with speeds ranging from 2 m/s to 30 m/s. The tunnel is used to generate uniform and sheared turbulence with or without flow curvature. 

Flow velocity and temperature are measured using "hot wire" anemometry and "cold wire" thermometry and a digital data acquisition system.

 


University Facilities (Within the Engineering Building)

Sun workstations, IBM PC's and Macintosh microcomputers; access to national and international computer networks; Engineering Library; Faculty Workshops; Electronics. Computer Science is developing a large scale parallel processing computer facilitywhich will be available to other researchers.

 


University Facilities (Outside Engineering Building)

Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility; Glass shop; Science and main (general) library; Statistics consulting services; Graphics and Photographic Services.
           
         
Maintained by Simon Li Updated: 7 March, 2007 3:43 PM