Grant: Industrial Research Chairs

SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL FOR PUBLIC RELEASE (Use plain language.)This plain language summary will be available to the public if your proposal is funded. Although it is not mandatory, you may choose toAn Industrial Research Chair in Applied Solid State Physics and Material Characterization was organized in 2002 to establish the nucleus of a world-class centre for research and development of new high-frequency acoustic and acousto-optic imaging systems to be supported by Chrysler Canada, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the University of Windsor. During the first term of the IRC, significant success was demonstrated and even more was delivered than originally proposed. As a result, all three parties - Chrysler Canada Inc., the University of Windsor and NSERC are supporting renewal of the Industrial Research Chair in Applied Solid State Physics and Material Characterization at the University of Windsor for another 5 year term. During the new 5 year term, research in advanced principles and methods for the imaging and quantitative characterization of surface, sub-surface, bulk materials structure, physical-mechanical properties of various interfaces and joints will be conducted. The focus of this innovative research activity is the development of new industrial non-destructive inspection and quality control procedures and equipment for rapid and accurate materials characterization. Emphasis will be on application in the automotive industry. However, these tools have a wide range of non-automotive applications, e.g., in the area of solid state physics, physical acoustics, the process industries, microelectronics, aerospace and aeronautical engineering, environmental engineering, and biomedical areas. The successful completion of the proposed Industrial Research Chair renewal will involve the integration of fundamental new knowledge together with advanced electronics, acoustic and acousto-optic technologies in novel combinations for advanced applications where the performance requirements are outside the boundaries of current technical capabilities and most importantly for quality control in the automotive industry. This will be an important contribution to the international manufacturing competitiveness of Chrysler Canada Inc., and, in due course, other Canadian durable goods producers.