REU Site: Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Reconfigurable and Multifunctional Soft Materials at UPRM

非技术部分：波多黎各大学(UPRM)可重构和多功能软材料(RMSM)本科生研究体验(REU)将资助10名本科生进行为期10周的暑期研究和教育体验。学生将主要从无法为他们提供STEM研究机会的学校招生，并将专注于通过展示有价值的当地科学家来促进充满活力的一流研究文化，同时加强与世界级研究机构的合作伙伴关系。一般来说，REU项目旨在促进发现和理解，同时通过实践研究和本科生的教育经验促进教学、培训和学习。RMSM REU项目将继续培养这一遗产，并将通过一系列专注于专业发展的研讨会帮助学生加强科学沟通技能。他们将有机会学习第二语言，沉浸在不同的文化中，同时参与令人兴奋的研究。最后，参与者将通过参与UPRM车轮上的科学计划和“Ciencia波多黎各”网站，帮助扩大对下一代研究人员的传播。技术部分：RMSM REU将为代表不足的科学家做出贡献，激励年轻学生进入具有变革潜力的学科，例如为新的消费产品和生物医学应用寻找开发智能软材料的方法。学生将在软材料的开发和表征以及他们脱离平衡的反应能力方面进行个人研究项目。这一领域的知识将为广泛的科学学科打开大门，这些学科涵盖了开发新材料的主要挑战。选定的项目与UPRM正在进行的研究有关，但之所以被选中，是因为它们适合REU参与者在夏季会议期间作出独特的贡献。

NON-TECHNICAL PART: The Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in Reconfigurable and Multifunctional Soft Materials (RMSM) at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez (UPRM) will fund 10 undergraduate students for a 10-week summer research and educational experience. Students will be recruited primarily from schools that cannot provide them with opportunities for STEM research and will focus on promoting a vibrant, top-notch research culture by showcasing meritorious local scientists while strengthening partnerships with world-class research institutions. REU programs, in general, are designed to advance discovery and understanding while promoting teaching, training, and learning through hands on research and educational experiences for undergraduates. The RMSM REU program will continue fostering this legacy and will help students to strengthen their scientific communication skills through a series of seminars that focus on professional development. They will have the opportunity to learn a second language and immerse themselves in a different culture, while participating in exciting research. Finally, the participants will help to broaden dissemination to the next generation of researchers through participation in the UPRM Science on Wheels program and :"Ciencia Puerto Rico" website.TECHNICAL PART: The RMSM REU will contribute to the pool of underrepresented scientists, inspiring young students to enter disciplines with transformative potential, such as finding methods to develop smart soft materials for new consumer products and biomedical applications. Students will conduct individual research projects in the development and characterization of soft materials and their ability to respond away from equilibrium. Knowledge in this area will open doors in a broad range of scientific disciplines, which encompass the major challenges in the development of novel materials. The chosen projects are relevant to ongoing research at UPRM yet were selected because they are suitable for an REU participant to make unique contributions during a summer session.