 The physics department at Coe College has had an active undergraduate research program since 1980. Over 150 students from 19 countries have participated. We have two main areas of research: glass science and musical acoustics.
The glass science program started in 1980, and has been very successful, yielding over 100 publications in a variety of scientific journals. We study the thermal and optical properties as well as the physical properties such as density and packing. Also we examine the atomic structure using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), neutron scattering, laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscoppy (FTIR). A variety of glass systems have been studied including borates, silicates, borosilicates, germanates, borogermanates, vanadates, and many more.
The acoustics research at Coe was first started in 1990 and has focused on the physics of those musical instruments using so-called "free reeds." These include the harmonica, the accordion-concertina family, and the reed organ. The major portion of the acoustics research at Coe has been on the acoustics of the American reed organ and on the Asian free reed mouth organs, in which a free reed is coupled to a pipe resonator. These Asian instruments include the khaen (Thailand/ Laos), the sheng (China), and the bawu (China).
Coe College, the National Science Foundation, and various other groups and organizations have made significant contributions to this program along the way. Without their long standing, and generous contributions, none of this research would be possible. FundingSource | Amount | For |
|---|
NSF | $500,000 | Laser Ablation Time of Flight Lab (Affatigato, 1997) | $180,000 | Glass Properties (Feller, Affatigato, 1999) | $165,000 | DMR-CER-0211718 for Glass Research (2002 - 2005) | $272,000 | DMR-CER-0502051 for Glass Research (2005 - 2009) | $165,000 | MRI: A Scanning Probe Microscope (2004- 2007) | $153,000 | Raman Spectrometer (2003) | $110,000 | Glass Research (1999 - 2002) | $33,300 | For Collaborative work with Japan (2001 - 2003) | $29,900 | For Collaborative work with China (2001 - 2004) | $26,000 | Research Trip to China (Feller, Affatigato, Kaczinsky, George, 1998) | $13,000 | Faculty-student travel for research in Wales & UK 2000 | $12,000 | Faculty-student travel to borate glass conference in Sofia, 1999 | $7,000 | Borate IV Conference at Coe College, 2002 | $3,200 | To bring students to International Congress on Glass, Edinburgh 2001. | Petroleum Research Fund | $25,000 | Sol-Gels (Affatigato, 1996) | Japan study Grant | $2,000 | Collaborative work at Sojo University (2001) | Research Corporation | $50,000 | Materials Characterization Laboratory (Affatigato, Feller, 2000) | $42,000 | Heavy-Metal Oxide Glasses (Affatigato, 1996) | Research Corporation and US Borax | $6,000 | Borate IV Conference at Coe, 2002 | McElroy Foundation | $2300 | Neutron Scattering at Rutherford-Appleton Lab (Feller, Nelson, 1998) | $2000 | Building of a Sol-Gel Dipper (Affatigato, Kiczenski, 1998) | AIURP Cur Fellowship | $3300 | (Affatigato, 1996) |
EquipmentItem | Approx. cost | Year | Oxford Instruments, ED-XRF (X-ray fluorescence) | 100k | 00 | Quantachrome Ultramicropycnometer | 9k | 00 | Differential Thermal Analyzer | 25k | 00 | Nexus 670 Fourier Transform IR spectrometer | 45k | 99 | High temperature furnace | 9k | 99 | Reflectron Time of Flight System | 180k | 98 | Computer controlled sol-gel dipper (student built) | 5k | 98 | Roller quencher (student built) | 8k | 97 | Monochromator/photodetector system | 18k | 96 | Surelite I Nd:YAG laser (f, 2f, 4f) | 30k | 96 | Optical breadboard, 3"x4" | 6k | 96 | Ecomet Grinder/Polisher | 6k | 96 | Atago Abbe Refractometer | 5k | 96 | Laminar inflow hoods (2) | 10k | 96 | Ritec NQR spectrometer | 25k | 95 | Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC VII) | 25k | 95 | Quantacrome Micropycnometer | 4k | 93 | Far IR spectrometer | 26k | 91 |
In addition we have 3 dry glove boxes, 17 platinum crucibles, 5 small furnaces, 1 tube furnace, 6 high precision digital balances, and a large variety of other sample preparation equipment.
|
