Mission of AMRL: The mission of the Advanced Materials Research Laboratory (AMRL) is strengthening and development of the energy research resources at Southern University, Baton Rouge. The AMRL-SUBR participates with local, regional and national laboratories for energy research programs. The focus of research is on thermal and materials issues related to high temperature materials research for efficient and clean power generation, structural materials for aerospace systems, piping systems for petrochemical industry and infrastructure applications. The research also aims to enhance energy production and performance of power production systems.


AMRL-SUBR CAPABILITIES: AMRL-SUBR consists of the following primary groups:
    - Metallurgy and Materials Laboratory
    - Advanced Composite Materials Laboratories
    - Heat Transfer and Thermal Characterization Laboratory
    - Mechanical Testing Laboratory
    - Materials Properties Simulation and Modeling

   AMRL labs are capable of providing measurements and tests in structural components/materials, environmental degradation of materials and thermo-physical property characterization. AMRL also has a set of professional software to conduct studies on thermal flow and energy systems, especially power plants and gas turbines. FLUENT is used to simulate the details of the fluid flow, heat transfer, combustion, and gasification. ALGOR is used to simulate thermo-mechanical response of structural components of gas turbine systems.
AMRL is a participant in the Clean Power and Energy Research (CPERC) Consortium.

 

 

  


NEWS / PRESS COVERAGE

Louisiana Board of Regents awards $50,000 towards "Enhancement of Research in Material Science through the Acquisition of Thermal-Properties Investigative Equipment" to PI: Dr. Patrick Mensah.
-April 2005

Lab Director Dr. Patrick Mensah awarded "Teacher of the Year" 2004-2005 at Southern University and A&M College.
-April 2005

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT GOALS

  1. Investigate processing of high temperature thermal barrier coatings (TBC) materials for gas turbine applications
  2. Design and performance of coatings
  3. Conduct research on coatings deposition science and technology and characterization of coatings structure / property relations
  4. Applications of high temperature materials, thermo-physical property measurements and evaluations
  5. Conduct research on thermal and mechanical performance of high temperature materials for land based engines
  6. Conduct research on corrosion and wear performance of high temperature materials including material structure properties characterization
  7. Electron microscopy and structure evaluations
  8. Capacity building and development of advanced materials research groups for materials and thermal testing
  9. Conduct research on clean , renewable and sustainable energy sources
  10. Investigate fuel cell systems and materials for clean power generation
  11. Providing outreach and energy education and development of thermo-mechanical research.

CONTACT

Patrick Mensah
Director Advanced Material Research Laboratory
PBS Pinchback Engineering Building
Southern University and A&M College
Baton Rouge, LA 70813
225-771-4193, 225-771-4701 225-771-4877 (Fax)
mensah@engr.subr.edu