REU Site: NanoSAFE Multifunctional Nanomaterials

非技术描述：这项REU活动的目标是通过纳米技术的独特研究来加强劳动力的发展，并增加妇女、代表性不足的少数民族、退伍军人和经济萧条地区的人参与研究生水平的教育。REU网站的参与者将获得跨学科的研究机会，重点是发现先进性能多功能纳米材料，这些材料的设计与毒性测试同时进行。纳米技术的这一新兴领域对于适应商业纳米颗粒生产的急剧增长具有重要意义。这是通过开发使能技术和基础研究来实现的，以产生高性能材料，并解决纳米粒子的环境、健康和安全特性。这个REU项目利用了大量的研究基础设施以及正在进行的WVU-NIOSH纳米毒理学合作研究。这些举措加速了西弗吉尼亚州纳米科学的研究和教育，并创建了一个卓越的纳米技术培训基地。来自西弗吉尼亚大学生物系、化学系、化学工程系、计算机科学与电气工程系、机械工程系、物理系和健康科学系的18名教职员工将担任研究导师，作为全面培训计划的一部分，有效培养解决问题的能力，这对智力和研究独立性至关重要。参与者将学习沟通、协作、技术演示技巧、简历准备和研究生教育。学院关系是通过团队建设活动和每周跨学科的团队会议来发展的。一些本科生参与者将发表研究成果，所有本科生将在一年一度的WVU夏季本科生研究研讨会上展示他们的工作。参与本REU网站通过增加跨学科STEM教育的参与者保留率来改善科学劳动力。技术描述：REU参与者在研究项目上接受培训，这些项目支持设计更安全、更有效的纳米颗粒，这些纳米颗粒已经被表征并评估了潜在的毒性。研究活动侧重于多功能纳米材料，并支持改进材料设计，关注影响人类和环境健康的特性。REU网站通过18名教师顾问提供了一个多样化的项目池，每个顾问都支持三个NanoSAFE重点领域的独立研究：(1)先进性能纳米材料的设计和制造，(2)生物分子和无机材料的表征，(3)和毒性评估。这些研究重点支持一种迭代方法，使研究人员能够实现能够安全支持制造过程的高性能纳米材料。教师跨研究小组合作，学生有机会获得纳米光刻，纳米模板，材料自组装，电化学，光谱学，显微镜，流体学等尖端技术，以及阐明纳米毒性复杂方面所需的独特工具。在完成REU的学习后，本科学生将积极参与推进纳米技术制造的创新研究，同时在为期10周的暑期活动中，通过研讨会、演讲和科学会议获得专业发展。

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION:The objective of this REU activity is to enhance workforce development through unique research in nanotechnology and to increase participation in graduate level education of women, underrepresented minorities, veterans, and persons from economically depressed areas. REU Site participants will be provided with interdisciplinary research opportunities that focus on the discovery of advanced performance multifunctional nanomaterials, which are designed concurrently with toxicity testing. This emerging area of nanotechnology is significant to accommodate the dramatic increase in commercial nanoparticle production. This is achieved through the development of enabling technology and fundamental research to generate high performance materials and address the environmental, health, and safety characteristics of nanoparticles. This REU project leverages substantial research infrastructure as well as ongoing WVU-NIOSH collaborative research in nanotoxicology. These initiatives have accelerated research and education in the nanosciences in West Virginia and create an exceptional nanotechnology training site. A total of 18 faculty members from the WVU Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, and Health Sciences are committed to serve as research mentors as part of a comprehensive training program that effectively fosters problem-solving skills critical to intellectual and research independence. Participants learn about communication, collaboration, technical presentation skills, resume preparation, and graduate education. Collegial relationships are developed through team-building activities and weekly interdisciplinary team meetings. Several undergraduate participants will publish research results and all undergraduates present their work at the annual WVU Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium. Involvement in this REU Site improves the scientific workforce by increasing participant retention in interdisciplinary STEM education. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION:REU participants are trained on research projects that support the design of safer and more effective nanoparticles that have been characterized and assessed for potential toxicity. The research activities focus on multifunctional nanomaterials and support improved material design with attention to properties that impact human and environmental health. The REU Site provides a diverse pool of projects through 18 faculty advisors each supporting independent research integrated within three NanoSAFE areas of focus: (1) design and fabrication of advanced performance nanomaterials, (2) biomolecular and inorganic material characterization, (3) and toxicity assessment. These research foci support an iterative approach enabling researchers to realize high performance nanomaterials that can safely support manufacturing processes. Faculty collaborate across research groups and students have access to cutting-edge technology in nanolithography, nanotemplating, material self-assembly, electrochemistry, spectroscopy, microscopy, fluidics, and unique tools required to elucidate complex facets of nanotoxicity. Upon completing this REU experience, undergraduate students will actively contribute to innovative research that advances nanotechnology manufacturing, while receiving professional development throughout the 10-week summer activity through workshops, speakers, and scientific conferences.