Data measuring and collection techniques presently used in the Materials Science Teaching Laboratory are replaced by a modern microcomputer driven system. The nucleus of the system consists of three microcomputers which will collect, handle and display experimental date on-line. Labview software will be purchased. This software permits the configuration of an unlimited variety of "virtual instruments" which can be configured to measure, record, indicate, graph or control any desired experimental parameters. Many of the current experiments will require modest equipment modifications in order to generate digital rather than analog output. The computers will allow many groups to work simultaneously. In addition to computerizing the collection of traditional mechanical property data it is proposed to do the same for much of the microstructural data which is also a vital part of materials science. This modernization will more accurately reflect the challenging and dynamic nature of materials science today.
