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

该 REU 网站由爱荷华州立大学机械工程系主办，其目标是每年吸引 10 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。学生们将在传感器、执行器和智能材料以及“最先进”的成像和诊断系统的设计和制造领域进行基础研究。这些研究活动本质上是跨学科的，通过解决从分子到介观尺度的多个尺度的现象。示例包括柔性连杆、高温 MEMS 压力传感器、太阳能电池、电活性聚合物致动器、生物制剂纳米机械传感器、原子探针断层扫描和高时空分辨率 4-D 成像。该 REU 网站与其现有版本（2009-2012 年）相比，一个独特且与众不同的部分是更加注重招募社区学院学生以及与中学教师的互动部分。 REU 网站的潜在影响在于，为来自四年制大学、社区学院和新生的多元化本科生提供： a) 国家利益主题的研究经验； b) 对此类研究的跨学科性质的欣赏； c) 了解工程研究的伦理影响； d) 职业发展的培育环境。这些努力将鼓励参与者接受研究生教育以及研发和学术界的职业生涯。正如美国国家工程院的“重大挑战”中所概述的那样，对先进传感和成像技术来增强我们国家的健康、国土、粮食和能源安全的需求从未如此迫切。该 REU 基地每年将为来自四年制学院、少数族裔服务机构和社区学院的学生以及新生提供为期 10 周的传感和成像技术领域项目的夏季研究经验，从而促进劳动力发展。因此，该网站将鼓励不同人群获得 STEM 相关的教育体验。示例项目包括用于检测微量化学和生物毒素的生物传感器、用于帮助神经疾病医学诊断的人脸高速 3D 测绘以及高效太阳能电池的设计。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、辅导和基于群体的社会和教育活动，以增强学生的实践经验、科学和工程知识基础以及沟通和团队技能。因此，学生在该 REU 站点的经历将使他们能够获得终生技能，这将影响他们对科学和工程以及社会的贡献。该项目感谢工程教育和中心部门的支持。

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.