NSF East Asia and Pacific Summer Institute (EAPSI) for FY 2013 in Japan

这项行动资助加州大学洛杉矶分校（UCLA）的Eric G. Gharakhanian于2013年夏天在石川县Nomi市的日本高等科学技术研究所（JAIST）开展一项工程研究项目。项目名称为“展示热激活形状记忆的聚（肽）材料的开发”。主持会议的科学家是金子达男博士。本研究开发和研究了天然多肽生物材料，该材料在热刺激下表现出形状记忆。本工作涉及到用光交联剂功能化聚谷氨酸材料的制备和研究。这些材料正在进行不同程度的交联，并正在研究所得塑料的热机械性能。从这些研究中获得的知识为开发具有热刺激形状记忆的生物可吸收材料提供了指导。EAPSI奖学金的广泛影响包括为研究员提供美国以外的第一手研究经验；介绍该地区的科学、科学政策和科学基础设施；以及对社会、文化和语言的了解。这些活动符合美国国家科学基金会的目标，即在其科学家、工程师和教育工作者的职业生涯早期培养国际合作，从而确保美国科学劳动力具有全球意识。此外，受这项研究启发的生物材料装置将有助于改善所有社会中个人的福祉。这项工作将继续与Kaneko实验室建立科学伙伴关系，通过这种国际合作帮助维护美国的科学基础设施。

This action funds Eric G. Gharakhanian of University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) to conduct a research project in Engineering during the summer of 2013 at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) in Nomi, Ishikawa. The project title is "Development of Poly(peptide) Materials Demonstrating Thermally-Activated Shape Memory." The host scientist is Dr. Tatsuo Kaneko.This research develops and studies naturally-derived polypeptide biomaterials which show shape memory in response to thermal stimulus. This work involves the preparation and study of poly(glutamate) materials functionalized with a photo cross-linker. These materials are being cross-linked to varying degrees and the thermo-mechanical properties of the resultant plastics are being investigated. The knowledge gained from these studies provides a guide towards the development of bio-resorbable materials with thermally stimulated shape memory. Broader impacts of an EAPSI fellowship include providing the Fellow a first-hand research experience outside the U.S.; an introduction to the science, science policy, and scientific infrastructure of the respective location; and an orientation to the society, culture and language. These activities meet the NSF goal to educate for international collaborations early in the career of its scientists, engineers, and educators, thus ensuring a globally aware U.S. scientific workforce. Furthermore, biomaterial devices inspired by this research will help improve the well-being of individuals in all societies. This work will continue a scientific partnership with the Kaneko lab, helping maintain the U.S. scientific infrastructure through this international collaboration.