REU Site: Research and education in microscale sensing, actuation and imaging

REU 站点：微型传感、驱动和成像领域的研究和教育

• 批准号: 1263243
• 负责人: Sriram Sundararajan
• 金额: $ 35.97万
• 依托单位: Iowa State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-05-01 至 2016-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1263243&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: REU; Site; Research; education; microscale

The objective of this REU site hosted by the Mechanical Engineering Department at Iowa State University is to engage ten undergraduate students annually in summer research experiences in the area of Microscale Sensing, Actuation and Imaging (MoSAIc). The students will pursue fundamental investigations in the area of design and manufacture of sensors, actuators and smart materials as well as "state-of-art" imaging and diagnostic systems. The research activities are inherently interdisciplinary in nature by addressing phenomena at several length scales ranging from the molecular to the mesoscale. Examples include flexible linkages, high temperature MEMS pressure sensors, solar cells, electroactive polymeric actuators, nanomechanical sensors for biological agents, atom probe tomography and high spatiotemporal resolution 4-D imaging. A unique and differentiating component of this REU site from its existing version (2009-2012) will be an increased focus on recruiting community college students and an interaction component with middle school teachers. The potential impact of the REU site is in providing a diverse pool of undergraduate students from 4-year colleges, community colleges and incoming freshman with a) a research experience in topics that are of national interest; b) an appreciation for cross-disciplinary nature of such research; c) an appreciation of the ethical implications of engineering research and; d) a fostering environment for career development. These efforts will encourage participants to pursue graduate school education and careers in R&D and academia.The need for advanced sensing and imaging technologies to enhance our nation's health, homeland, food and energy security has never been more urgent as outlined in the Grand Challenges of the National Academy of Engineering. This REU Site will contribute to workforce development by providing students from 4-year colleges, minority-serving institutions, and community colleges as well as freshman students with a 10-week summer research experience annually in projects in the area of sensing and imaging technologies. The site will thus encourage STEM-related educational experiences for a diverse pool of individuals. Example projects include biosensors to detect miniscule traces of chemical and biological toxins, high speed 3-D mapping of human faces to aid medical diagnoses of nerve-based disorders and design of high efficiency solar cells. The existing faculty expertise and research infrastructure in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Iowa State University will provide the necessary guidance, mentoring and cohort-based social and educational activities to enhance students' hands-on experiences, science and engineering knowledge base as well as communication and team-based skills. The student experience in this REU site will thus enable them to walk away with life-long skills that will impact their contributions to science and engineering and to society.This project acknowledges support from the Division of Engineering Education and Centers.

这个由爱荷华州立大学机械工程系主办的REU网站的目标是每年吸引十名本科生参与微尺度传感、驱动和成像(MOSAIC)领域的暑期研究体验。这些学生将在传感器、执行器和智能材料的设计和制造领域以及“最先进的”成像和诊断系统领域进行基础研究。研究活动本质上是跨学科的，涉及从分子到中尺度的几个长度尺度上的现象。例如柔性连接、高温MEMS压力传感器、太阳能电池、电活性聚合物致动器、用于生物制剂的纳米机械传感器、原子探针层析成像和高时空分辨率4-D成像。这个REU网站与现有版本(2009-2012)的一个独特和不同的部分将是更多地关注招募社区大学学生，并增加与中学教师的互动部分。REU网站的潜在影响是为来自四年制大学、社区学院和即将入学的新生提供不同的本科生人才库：a)在与国家相关的主题上有研究经验；b)欣赏这种研究的跨学科性质；c)欣赏工程研究的伦理影响；d)为职业发展提供一个促进环境。这些努力将鼓励参与者继续攻读研究生教育，并在研发和学术领域就业。美国国家工程院在《重大挑战》中概述了对先进传感和成像技术的需求，以增强我们国家的健康、国土、食品和能源安全，这一需求从未像现在这样迫切。这个REU网站将通过为来自四年制大学、少数族裔服务机构和社区大学的学生以及大一学生每年在传感和成像技术领域的项目中提供为期10周的暑期研究体验，为劳动力发展做出贡献。因此，该网站将鼓励为不同的个人提供与STEM相关的教育体验。例子项目包括检测微小化学和生物毒素的生物传感器，高速绘制人脸3-D图以帮助神经性疾病的医疗诊断，以及设计高效太阳能电池。爱荷华州立大学机械工程系现有的教师专业知识和研究基础设施将提供必要的指导、指导和基于群体的社会和教育活动，以增强学生的实践经验、科学和工程知识库以及沟通和基于团队的技能。因此，REU网站上的学生体验将使他们能够带着终身技能离开，这些技能将影响他们对科学和工程以及对社会的贡献。该项目感谢工程教育和中心分部的支持。