Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems

A software package for designing and hosting robust, adaptive computer-based learning content.


Point of Contact: McCarter,Kelli - kelli@cavs.msstate.edu

ZEISS Axiovert 200 optical microscope reaching
2500X magnification, light and dark field and DIC, motorized stage, and automatic 1000 X-ray inspection system.

CATIA V5, is an industrial computer aided design package, allowing for advanced product definition, simulation and analysis.


Point of Contact: Littell,Neil - nlittell@cavs.msstate.edu

Associated Projects:
Product Lifecycle Management Systems Implementation
Run Flat (Morgan)

The Haas CNC SL-20 Lathe, with a max turning capacity of 10.3" x 20" and an 8.3" chuck, has a bar capacity of up to 2.0".

The Haas VF-5 vertical machining center has 50" x 26" x 25" (1270 x 660 x 635 mm) xyz travels and is built utilizing all American-made cast-iron components. This machine is a rugged, medium sized VMC that yields reliability and accuracy.

National Instruments SCXI is a high-performance signal conditioning and switching platform for measurement and automation systems. It provides a single, integrated platform with USB connectivity for all of your signal conditioning and switching needs. An SCXI system consists of multichannel signal conditioning modules which allow you to choose from a wide selection of analog input, analog output, digital I/O, and switching modules.


Point of Contact: Baker,David - dbaker@cavs.msstate.edu

Associated Projects:
Run Flat (Morgan)

UNITHERM MODEL 1161H - measures the expansions and contraction of samples under temperature variation.


Point of Contact: Burton,Christina - cburton@cavs.msstate.edu

Q800 Dynamicmechanical Analyzer; Based on the CMT design, it utilizes state-of-the-art, non-contact, linear drive technology to provide precise control of stress, and air bearings for low friction support. Strain is measured using optical encoder technology that provides unmatched sensitivity and resolution. With its unique design, the Q800 easily outperforms competitive CMT instruments and is ideal for high-stiffness applications including composites.


Point of Contact: Burton,Christina - cburton@cavs.msstate.edu

Electron Back Scanner Diffraction detector attached to the FESEM. Capable of acquiring and analyzing EBSD patterns to determine crystallographic orientation data.


Point of Contact: Burton,Christina - cburton@cavs.msstate.edu

An Instron electromechanical testing system with a 50kN load frame that uses a variety of different load cells. This machine is capable of conducting tension, compression, and flexure tests at various rates and temperatures up to 350C.

An Instron electromechanical testing system with a 100kN load frame that uses a variety of different load cells. This machine is capable of conducting tension, compression, and flexure tests at various rates and temperatures up to 350C.

Randcastle Extruder bench model single screw extruders for laboratory, R&D, and low output production applications. Unique features include patent pending compounding elements (The Recirculator) with twin like performance.


Point of Contact: Burton,Christina - cburton@cavs.msstate.edu

CAVS purchased to visualize and quantify in real time the mechanical behavior and fracture of materials under FEG-SEM at high magnifications. The images can be post-processed by the StrainMaster system to determine the strain contour around heterogeneities and singularities as cracks.

LECO LR300TD- Rockwell-Type Hardness Testing Systems


Point of Contact: Burton,Christina - cburton@cavs.msstate.edu

With a state-of-the-art data Acquisition and Processing instruments, which allows for accurate, artifact-free results, this is the most common system used to determine the mechanical properties at high Strain rate.

With a state-of-the-art data Acquisition and Processing instruments, which allows for accurate, artifact-free results, this is the most common system used to determine the mechanical properties at high Strain rate.


Point of Contact: Baker,David - dbaker@cavs.msstate.edu

With a state-of-the-art data Acquisition and Processing instruments, which allows for accurate, artifact-free results, this is the most common system used to determine the mechanical properties at high Strain rate.


Point of Contact: Baker,David - dbaker@cavs.msstate.edu

Instron Model 8850 is ideal for axial-torsional fatigue and static testing of biomedical, advanced materials and manufactured components.

To date only electromechanical actuation is used for load generation in in-situ fatigue testing within scanning electron chambers (SEM). This restricts the range of frequency at a maximum of 1Hz, and at this rate the load must be kept below 10Kg (100N). Applying higher loads and frequencies requires servohydraulic actuation. This technique has never been utilized in SEM chambers because a variety of technical barriers exist:

1. Need of novel instruments to manufacture small actuators with high load resistance since a typical size of an SEM chamber is only 150mm*150mm*400mm ;

2. Two actuators are required to keep the central zone area of interest immobile for SEM observations;

3. Need of specific software that perfectly synchronizes the two actuators;

4. The actuators must be shielded to prevent the contamination of the chamber by the hydraulic oil that can cause immediate deterioration of the electron and X-ray detectors;

5. To perform tension-compression fatigue tests, a specific fixture system should be designed to grip flat specimens as the common wedge action grips are not compression rated. A novel revolutionary system was designed based on these technical specifications at Ernest-Fullam in coordination with Instron and Mississippi State University.



Point of Contact: Burton,Christina - cburton@cavs.msstate.edu

Arburg 170U- is ideally suited to micro injection molding applications. Especially for low injection part weights and an optimal dwell time range, the size 30 injection unit can be equipped with a 15 millimeter screw. It can be used to inject minimal product weights of a few hundredths of a gram.


Point of Contact: Burton,Christina - cburton@cavs.msstate.edu

The Model 1010 Ion Mill is a tabletop, PC-controlled precision milling and polishing system for creating high-quality TEM specimens with large electron transparent areas. It is fully programmable and easy to use. The Model 1010 incorporates two independently adjustable, variable energy hollow anode discharge (HAD) ion sources, liquid nitrogen specimen cooling, 0° to 45° milling angles, automatic gas control, and an oil-free vacuum system for ultra-clean specimen processing.


Point of Contact: Burton,Christina - cburton@cavs.msstate.edu

This system is an optical displacement measuring system from Lavision Inc. that allows analysis of deformation of solid and granular flows by advanced imaging technique, in 2D as well as 3D, in combination of state of the art gray scale correlation analysis is among the non-conventional mechanical accessories that CAVS acquired. The system is used in all loading frames and structural testing systems to quantify strain contours around microstructural and geometrical heterogeneities.


Point of Contact: Baker,David - dbaker@cavs.msstate.edu

Microindentation Hardness Testing Systems, Digital display, equipped with printing and data transfer capabilities.


Point of Contact: Burton,Christina - cburton@cavs.msstate.edu

Laser Engineered Net Shaping; Low-volume manufacture and repair of small metal components, also ideal for materials research, product development and prototyping.

Key Features:

• 500W up to 2kW laser power, Nd:YAG or Fiber-Laser options

• 12in x 12in x 12in build envelope
(300mm x 300mm x 300mm)



Point of Contact: Baker,David - dbaker@cavs.msstate.edu

Metallographic Sample Preparation; Cutting, Grinding, Mounting, Polishing, Etching, & etc.

MTS 810 Material Testing System- Easily configure the servohydraulic MTS 810 to perform virtually any type of material or component test.

Lucifer Furnaces; size 7”X7”X18”
Max Temp 2150F

The Q-Fog provides the best possible laboratory simulation of natural corrosion. Specimens can be exposed to a series of different environments in a repetitive cycle that reproduces outdoor cyclic conditions. The Q-Fog offers state-of-the-art corrosion testing technology, precision dispersion and ease of operation.

SPECTROMAXx provides analytical capabilities previously achieved only with conventional photomultiplier systems. All of the chemical elements requiring analysis by the metal industry can be determined - including traces of carbon, phosphorus, sulfur, and nitrogen. The SPECTROMAXx is well suited for applications like die cast or injection molding as well as for standard requirements in steel or non-ferrous foundries, also multi-matrix applications for incoming and outgoing inspection and all applications in the automotive industry.

Polaron Sputter Coater, Rotary Planetary Stage. Allows even for coating Gold.

Taylor-Hobson Talysurf CLI 2000 Gauge System (3-d surface measurement, down to 10 nm accuracy, 3 non-touch and one touch mesurement)

TGA/DSC/FTIR/MS


Point of Contact: Burton,Christina - cburton@cavs.msstate.edu

Associated Projects:
Run Flat (Morgan)

For depth-censoring nanoindention.

Phoenix X-ray Computed Tomography system with Dual focus (220KV-Microfocus and 150KVNanofocus) reaching 1 micron resolution.

In developing physics-based models for shaping and performance predictions, CAVS is aware of the importance of experimental assessment and quantification of the micromechanisms driving the material evolution during mechanical and reactivity induced deformations. While SEM, TEM and most of standard characterization techniques are limited on 2D information, X-ray computed tomography presents the leading technique for providing exact 3D information and non-destructive measurements. CAVS has purchased a state of the art X-ray tomography system reaching 1 micron resolution from Phoenix X-ray Incorporation. The system is a dual tube capability v|tome|s with possibility to analyze bulk materials with a 225KV microfocus as well as small parts with a 160KeV nanofocus. The system will allow in particular the quantifying of pore fraction and morphology evolution during some stages of the damage evolution. This dual tube v|tome|s will be used by over a dozen academic and industrial projects to bring new insight into understanding complex 3D interactions of materials systems.


Point of Contact: Horstemeyer,Stephen - sjhorst@cavs.msstate.edu

Allows for the testing of hard and soft materials in tension, compression and low cycle fatigue over a wide range of temperatures.


Point of Contact: Horstemeyer,Stephen - sjhorst@cavs.msstate.edu

This system is a depth-sensing nanomechanical testing system. The main purpose of this system is to update, develop and validate our constitutive models and molecular dynamic simulation methods for lightweight automotive and aeronautical component design and performance predictions. The most critical aspect of predicting the behavior of low-density materials under shaping and damage progression during service loads is to understand the inclusion content and microstructure influences on the mechanical response. These mechanisms mainly operate at the nano length scale. For our models, formulated at different size scales, from atoms to the polycrystalline length scale, to capture these fundamental phenomena, it is essential to investigate experimentally the nano scale microstructure-deformation relationships of several designed systems through depth-sensing nanomechanical testing. The system offers the option to perform depth-sensing micromechanical testing as well.


Point of Contact: Horstemeyer,Stephen - sjhorst@cavs.msstate.edu

Allows for the performance of multiaxial testing at low and high cycle fatigue over a wide range of temperature. Automated test control software, fixtures, and grips are available to perform American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) tests to determine fatigue and fracture properties of conventional materials as well as of soft materials as single crystals or biomaterials.


Point of Contact: Horstemeyer,Stephen - sjhorst@cavs.msstate.edu

Used for experimental investigations of structural integrity by providing the capability to perform quasi-static and/or dynamic fatigue testing on large structural components such as automotive frames, subsystems and large castings.


Point of Contact: Horstemeyer,Stephen - sjhorst@cavs.msstate.edu

Associated Projects:
Run Flat (Morgan)

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Point of Contact: Breckenridge,Trey - trey@hpc.msstate.edu

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Point of Contact: Breckenridge,Trey - trey@hpc.msstate.edu

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Point of Contact: Breckenridge,Trey - trey@hpc.msstate.edu

Click Here for details


Point of Contact: Breckenridge,Trey - trey@hpc.msstate.edu

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Point of Contact: Breckenridge,Trey - trey@hpc.msstate.edu

A PC-based digital video recording system for capturing medium resolution video for analysis of human task performance.


Point of Contact: Carruth,Daniel - dwc2@cavs.msstate.edu

Associated Projects:
Mississippi Active Shooter Training and Evaluation
Spatial Training Research In Virtual Environmnets

The Creaform Handyscan optical laser digitizer is capable of very rapid computational geometry creation. Its accuracy is variable depending on capture volume, with the worst case accuracy being +/-.25mm.


Point of Contact: Littell,Neil - nlittell@cavs.msstate.edu

Associated Projects:
Run Flat (Morgan)

Flexible software combined with a basic hardware platform including a steering wheel, pedals, and some auxiliary controls allow us to safely and effectively examine human performance during driving.


Point of Contact: Carruth,Daniel - dwc2@cavs.msstate.edu

The TeleMyo 2400R telemetric EMG system allows us to receive up to 16 EMG signals wirelessly up to 300 yards away from the receiver. The wireless system provides complete freedom of movement as participants perform tasks in the lab or in the field.


Associated Projects:
Investigation of the Effects of Increased Coverage Area for Soft Body Armor

ENOVIA SmarTeam is a collaborative engineering based product lifecycle management software, enabling effective communication, accountability and tracking for multiple projects.


Point of Contact: Littell,Neil - nlittell@cavs.msstate.edu

Associated Projects:
Product Lifecycle Management Systems Implementation

A full-body exo-skeleton Gypsy suit allows us to wirelessly collect motion data in a variety of environments.


Point of Contact: McGinley,John - jam@cavs.msstate.edu

Associated Projects:
Vision and Motion in Natural Task Performance

The Faro Arm, is an extremely accurate (+/- .030 mm) three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine (CMM). CAVS also possesses a laser digitizing head which allows for rapid geometry creation for inspection and reverse engineering.


Point of Contact: Littell,Neil - nlittell@cavs.msstate.edu

Associated Projects:
Run Flat (Morgan)

16-camera passive infrared motion capture system from MotionAnalysis.


Point of Contact: McGinley,John - jam@cavs.msstate.edu

Associated Projects:
Investigation of the Effects of Increased Coverage Area for Soft Body Armor

The MobileEye Portable Eye Tracker is a tetherless eye tracker from ASL. This device allows us to record point-of-gaze information as participants perform tasks in the lab and in the field.


Point of Contact: Carruth,Daniel - dwc2@cavs.msstate.edu

Associated Projects:
Mississippi Active Shooter Training and Evaluation

Measurement range: 0.2 to 700 m
Principle of operation: Aerodynamic time-of-flight
Sample rate: up to 100,000 particles/sec
Resolution: 150 channels per decade
Diameter types: Geometric and aerodynamic
Distribution types: Number, surface area, and volume
Plotting modes: Differential and cumulative
Plot type: Linear and logarithmic
Detection system: Dual photomultipliers



Point of Contact: Antonyraj,Arockiasamy - aanton@cavs.msstate.edu

Arburg 170U- is ideally suited to micro injection molding applications. Especially for low injection part weights and an optimal dwell time range, the size 30 injection unit can be equipped with a 15 millimeter screw. It can be used to inject minimal product weights of a few hundredths of a gram.


Point of Contact: Antonyraj,Arockiasamy - aanton@cavs.msstate.edu

This instrument is comprised of a vertical alumina tube/pushrod, fully digital transducer, statistically counter balanced pushrod, sintering and softening point programs, and protective atmosphere optional and capable of operating ambient temperature of 1650 C.


Point of Contact: Antonyraj,Arockiasamy - aanton@cavs.msstate.edu

This equipment is used to measure the mechanical properties of materials as a function of time, temperature, and frequency in a wide temperature range.


Point of Contact: Antonyraj,Arockiasamy - aanton@cavs.msstate.edu

This system is to provide moisture free and oxygen-free inside a gove box by recirculating an inert gas. This permits the handling of materials sensitive to moisture and oxygen contamination. The gas circulated by the DRI-TRAIN may be argon or helium. Nitrogen, though not totally inery, may also be used.




Point of Contact: Antonyraj,Arockiasamy - aanton@cavs.msstate.edu