REU Site: Frontiers in the Chemistry of Materials

德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校的Jennifer Brodbelt教授及其同事主持了一个由化学部门REU站点计划支持的本科生研究经验（REU）站点。这是一个本科研究项目，旨在跨学科培养未来的科学领袖。这些项目侧重于材料化学方面的先进研究，包括生物材料、能量转换材料以及化学品和材料的表征。来自美国各地大学的八名本科生参加了一个为期十周的暑期项目，该项目将强化培训和以研究为重点的指导结合起来，以提高学生对科学和工程专业的忠诚度。特别强调科学交流和包含多方面的安全计划，为本科生在科学，技术和工程领域的研究生或工作做好准备。这项工作的更广泛的影响是，通过最先进的光谱、合成和加工技术的实践培训，使本科生（包括那些代表性不足的群体）接触和参与到材料化学的总体主题及其对世界的影响。该计划将化学家和化学工程师加入到新材料的发现，设计，开发和表征中。生物材料领域的研究工作涉及生物相容性和毒理学评估、机械和结构特性以及最终的生物功能等相关概念的整合。替代能源材料的发现代表了减轻依赖碳基燃料的后果的关键目标。其中一个重点是发现更有效的光伏材料，开发氢气生产、储存和输送的催化方法，以及开发用于太阳能捕获和转换的新设备。开发新的分析/物理方法，应用这些方法表征生物材料和能源材料，以及评估性能指标是关键目标。一些本科生共同撰写了新兴研究的论文，而教师则在科学家技术发展的早期阶段指导他们。

Professor Jennifer Brodbelt and colleagues at the University of Texas at Austin host a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site supported by the REU Sites Program of the Chemistry Division. This is an undergraduate research program aimed at interdisciplinary training of future scientific leaders. The projects focus on advanced research in the chemistry of materials, including biomaterials, materials for energy conversion, and the characterization of chemicals and materials. Eight undergraduates from universities around the United States participate in a ten-week summer program that couples intensive training and research-focused mentoring in a way that enhances retention of students in science and engineering. The special emphasis on scientific communication and inclusion of a multi-faceted safety program prepares undergraduates for graduate school or jobs in science, technology and engineering fields. The broader impact of this work is the exposure and involvement of undergraduates, including those from underrepresented groups, to the overarching theme of chemistry of materials and its impact on the world via hands-on training with state-of-the-art spectroscopic, synthetic, and processing techniques.This program joins chemists and chemical engineers to encompass the discovery, design, development and characterization of new materials. Research efforts in the area of biomaterials draws on integration of concepts related to evaluation of biocompatibility and toxicology, mechanical and structural properties, and ultimately biofunction. The discovery of alternative energy materials represents a critical objectives to alleviate the consequences of relying on carbon-based fuels. One focus is on discovery of more efficient photovoltaic materials, development of catalytic methods for hydrogen production, storage and delivery, and the development of new devices for solar energy capture and conversion. The development of new analytical/physical methods, application of those methods for characterization of biomaterials and energy materials, and assessment of performance metrics are key goals. Some of the undergraduates co-author papers from the emerging research, and faculty engage in mentoring scientists at the earliest stages of their technical development.