REU Site: Nanoscale Science Undergraduate Research Experience (NanoSURE) at UNC Charlotte

非技术总结：纳米科学和工程的进步提供了以亚微观精度设计和控制物质的手段，并使医学，电子学，太阳能和许多其他高科技领域取得突破。许多这些进步是在化学，物理，生物和工程的传统学科之间的接口，需要在本科阶段的特殊培训。位于夏洛特夏洛特的NanoSURE REU网站将为各种有才华的本科生提供创新和跨学科的纳米级科学研究体验。学生将参加研究团队，探索纳米科学解决方案，以应对各种挑战，包括药物输送，催化，制造和可再生能源。许多学生将属于STEM领域代表性不足的少数群体，许多学生将来自研究培训有限的机构（HBCU，PUI和社区学院）。该网站还将招募考虑STEM职业的退伍军人学生参加该计划。NanoSURE REU站点还将与夏洛特的科学博物馆合作，提供科学推广培训，并为REU学生提供向公众传播科学的机会。 技术概要：该REU网站的拟议活动集中在纳米科学和工程的跨学科培训。选择参加该计划的学生将被分配到正在进行的跨学科纳米科学研究项目，包括例如：（1）动态RNA纳米颗粒和可重构纳米组装，（2）多功能二氧化硅基纳米颗粒，以改善癌症的PDT，和（3）使用非金属等离子体纳米材料增强光催化。该网站将通过以下目标推进国家对培养一代为纳米科学和工程领域的跨学科和多学科挑战做好准备的工作者的需求：（1）积极招募不同的本科生群体参与正在进行的纳米科学和工程研究经验，并与致力于本科生指导的教师一起;（2）在大学早期向学生介绍各种纳米科学研究方法，突破和挑战，以指导他们的职业道路进入纳米科学相关的研究领域;（3）让学生参与跨学科研究机会，鼓励跨传统学科界限的交流与合作;（4）通过提供工作坊，研讨会和社会活动来提高学生的经验，这将对他们的专业发展产生积极影响，并鼓励他们参与研究生学习;和（5）通过提供许多机会在群组会议上相互传播成果，发展科学交流技能，通过与当地科学博物馆合作向公众展示，最后在同行中提交一份总结论文，评审期刊格式并参加年度本科生研究研讨会。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值进行评估，被认为值得支持和更广泛的影响审查标准。

Non-Technical Summary: Advances in nanoscale science and engineering are providing the means to design and control matter with sub-microscopic precision and enabling breakthroughs in medicine, electronics, solar energy, and many other high-tech fields. Many of these advances are at the interface between the traditional disciplines of chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering and require special training at the undergraduate level. The NanoSURE REU site at UNC Charlotte will provide an innovative and interdisciplinary nanoscale science research experience for a diverse pool of talented undergraduates. The students will participate in research teams exploring nanoscience solutions to various challenges including drug-delivery, catalysis, manufacturing, and renewable energy. Many of the students will belong to minority groups underrepresented in STEM fields, and many of the students will come from institutions in which access to research training is limited (HBCUs, PUIs, and community colleges). The site will also recruit military veteran students considering STEM careers to participate in the program. The NanoSURE REU site will also partner with a science museum in Charlotte to provide training in scientific outreach and an opportunity for the REU students to disseminate science to the public. Technical Summary: The proposed activities of this REU site are focused on interdisciplinary training in nanoscale science and engineering. Students chosen to participate in the program will be assigned to ongoing interdisciplinary nanoscale science research projects, including for example: (1) Dynamic RNA Nanoparticles and Reconfigurable Nanoassemblies, (2) Multifunctional Silica-Based Nanoparticles to Improve PDT for Cancer, and (3) Enhanced Photocatalysis using Non-metal Plasmonic Nanomaterials. The site will advance the national need for developing a generation of workers prepared for the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary challenges of nanoscale science and engineering fields through the following objectives: (1) actively recruiting a diverse population of undergraduate students to participate in on-going research experiences in nanoscale science and engineering with faculty members committed to undergraduate mentoring; (2) introducing students to a variety of nanoscale science research methods, breakthroughs, and challenges early in their college experience to direct their career paths into nanoscale science related fields of study; (3) engaging students in interdisciplinary research opportunities that encourage communication and cooperation across traditional discipline boundaries; (4) enhancing the student experience by providing workshops, seminars, and social activities that will positively impact their professional development and encourage their participation in graduate studies; and (5) developing scientific communication skills by providing many opportunities to disseminate results to each other in cohort meetings, to the public through a collaboration with a local science museum, and ultimately by submitting a summary paper in a peer-reviewed journal format and participating in an annual undergraduate research symposium.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.