LASER DIAGNOSTICS LABORATORY
The Laser Diagnostics Laboratory is outfitted with advanced equipment for conducting laser systems experiments. Laser diagnostic techniques have been proven as some of the best tools available for characterizing droplet size, volume anv velocity distributions in sprays. The understanding of sprays is critical to those industries relying heavily on paints and coatings of finished products.
The 1,200 square-foot Laser Diagnostics Laboratory contains several systems critical to conducting spray research. Among the lab's features are a Phase Doppler Particle Analyzwer (PDPA), a Partical Image Velocimetry (PIV), and a Holographic INterferometer (HI).
The 1,200 square-foot Laser Diagnostics Laboratory contains several systems critical to conducting spray research. Among the lab's features are a Phase Doppler Particle Analyzwer (PDPA), a Partical Image Velocimetry (PIV), and a Holographic INterferometer (HI).
WET SPRAY PAINT LABORATORY
Wet Spray Paint Laboratory is a woking evnironmental control facility with a booth for air flow testing as well as a high speed bell head spray gun for use in coating experiemtns. In conjunction with the Laser Diagnostic Laboratory, research conducted in this laboratory will encompass booth overspray capturing performance studies, transfer efficiency studies of paint spray equipment, and booth airflow performance studies.
COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS (CFD) SIMULATION LABORATORY
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Simulation Laboratory employs the use of complex compuatational resources to create computational models that can simulate the processes of paoint spray atomization, paint transfer efficiency, air flow containing over-sprayed paint particles, and painted surface curing. With IBM clusters and super computers, computational models, based on fluid dynamics, heat transfer and chemical reactions, can be solved within reasonable time scales. These computational results help improve performances of over sprayed paint capturing, paint transfer efficiency, and paint curing efficiency, among other things.
PAINT INSPECTION LABORATORY
The Paint Inspection Laboratory contains online and real-time surface quality sensing and control equipment. This equipment is selected for applying optical and nondestructive techniques to paint inspection. High resolution surfgace quality data obtained as the part is coated will improve overall product quality and reduce rejection ratios. When fully operational, the lab will contain a robotic arm for use in surface inspection control.
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN LABORATORY
Conceptual Design Laboratory exaluates the degree of improvement in the performance of new products or of modified design changes for currently existing products. Particularly, when an entirely new design concept is invented, a laboratory scale model will be develped in this laboratory, and its performance iwll be tested at the most suited Institute laboratory.
NANOMATERIAL SYNTHESIS LABORATORY
Nanomaterial Synthesis Laboratory focuses on the creation of "smart coatings," a new generation of coatings products. New products will be realized thorugh the use of advnced coating technologies using nanomaterials in surface modification. The advantages of "smart coatings" are many. They are self-cleaning, self-healing, scratch resistant but iwht improved aesthetics, lower weight, and are environmentally benign.
PROTOTYPE TESTING FACILITY
Prototype Testing Facility for Automobile Surface Coating and Other Applications is a two-story environmental control facility. When fully operational, the facility will contain equipment for building prototypes of advanced paint equipment designs.