REU Site: NanoSAFE Multifunctional Nanomaterials

非技术描述：REU活动的目标是通过在纳米技术方面的独特研究加强劳动力发展，并提高妇女、代表性不足的少数民族、退伍军人和来自经济贫困地区的人对研究生教育的参与度。REU现场参与者将获得跨学科的研究机会，重点是发现先进的性能多功能纳米材料，这些材料是在进行毒性测试的同时设计的。这一新兴的纳米技术领域对于适应商业纳米颗粒生产的戏剧性增长具有重要意义。这是通过开发使能技术和基础研究来产生高性能材料并解决纳米颗粒的环境、健康和安全特性来实现的。这一REU项目利用了大量的研究基础设施以及WVU-NIOSH正在进行的纳米毒理学合作研究。这些举措加快了西弗吉尼亚州纳米科学的研究和教育，并创建了一个特殊的纳米技术培训基地。来自西弗吉尼亚大学生物、化学、化学工程、计算机科学和电气工程、机械工程、物理和健康科学系的18名教职员工致力于担任研究导师，这是一个全面培训计划的一部分，该计划有效地培养了对智力和研究独立至关重要的解决问题的技能。学员将学习沟通、协作、技术演示技能、简历准备和研究生教育。通过团队建设活动和每周的跨学科团队会议来发展大学关系。几位本科生将发表研究成果，所有本科生将在一年一度的西大夏季本科生研究研讨会上展示他们的工作。通过增加跨学科STEM教育的参与者留存率，参与这个REU网站可以提高科学工作者的素质。技术描述：REU参与者接受了研究项目的培训，这些项目支持设计更安全、更有效的纳米颗粒，并对其潜在毒性进行了表征和评估。研究活动的重点是多功能纳米材料，并支持改进的材料设计，同时关注影响人类和环境健康的特性。REU网站通过18名教师顾问提供了多样化的项目池，每个教师都支持在三个重点领域进行的独立研究：(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。这些研究重点支持迭代方法，使研究人员能够实现能够安全地支持制造过程的高性能纳米材料。教师与研究小组合作，学生可以获得纳米光刻、纳米模板、材料自组装、电化学、光谱学、显微镜、流体学以及阐明纳米毒性复杂方面所需的独特工具方面的尖端技术。在完成这一REU体验后，本科生将积极为促进纳米技术制造的创新研究做出贡献，同时通过研讨会、演讲者和科学会议在为期10周的暑期活动中接受专业发展。

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.