Equipment: a benchtop powder x-RAY diffractometer for enhancing undergraduate education and training at TLU

This National Science Foundation (NSF) Project Grant award, under the STEM Education (CFDA 47.076) program, provides $198,710 to Texas Lutheran University (TLU), a Hispanic-Serving Institution, to acquire a benchtop powder X-ray diffractometer. The goal of this Educational Instrumentation (EI) project is to enhance undergraduate STEM education and training at TLU by enabling students to gain hands-on experience with this advanced materials characterization technique. The new instrument will be integrated into intermediate and advanced physics and chemistry lab courses, exposing students to real-world applications of powder X-ray diffraction in fields such as solid-state chemistry, physics, and materials science. This equipment acquisition is expected to improve the quality of STEM education and training for undergraduate and underrepresented minority students at TLU, better preparing them for diverse career opportunities in an expanded technological workforce. The award period runs from Sep 1, 2024 to Aug 31, 2026.

Abstract

With support from the improving undergraduate stem education: hispanic-serving institutions (HSI program), this educational instrumentation (EI) project aims to train students on powder x-RAY diffraction (pxrd), one of the most utilized tools in materials science and engineering. This tool allows for determining the crystal structure and purity of bulk solid materials. As a primarily undergraduate, hispanic-serving institution, texas lutheran university (TLU) is dedicated to providing high-quality education and training to undergraduate students. This instrument acquired through this educational instrumentation grant will improve the education training and quality of undergraduate students at TLU. The pxrd adds a new, exciting and relevant topic to intermediate and advanced physics and chemistry lab offerings that will better prepare graduates for a wide range of opportunities that meet the needs of an expanded technological workforce. Acquiring the powder x-RAY diffractometer will expand the training and education at TLU, providing undergraduate and underrepresented minority students with exposure to real- world applications and practical experiences. Pxrd is a robust and versatile materials characterization technique for determining phase identification, purity, and crystal structure with multiphase analysis, phase transition monitoring, and measuring unit cell dimensions. The pxrd technique is based on investigating the properties of microcrystalline powders and will bring a new dimension of training and education to TLU students, which is not currently possible. The acquisition of a benchtop powder x-RAY diffractometer will enable students to work with cutting- edge technology in the fields of solid-state chemistry, physics, and materials science, enhancing their learning experience and preparing them for the demands of these industries. The addition of the pxrd in teaching labs will not only enhance faculty-student interactions and expand student learning and training options but also play a significant role in strengthening faculty collaborations, fostering teamwork, and creating more exciting outreach activities. The HSI program aims to enhance undergraduate stem education and increase capacity to engage in the development and implementation of innovations to improve stem learning and teaching at hsis. Projects supported by the HSI program will also generate new knowledge on how to achieve these aims. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.