REU Site: Multidisciplinary Research for Undergraduates in Nanomaterials for Energy and Biological Applications

这项面向本科生的研究体验(REU)SITE计划，专注于能源和生物应用的纳米材料，将为不同的本科生提供身临其境的研究体验，并融入专业发展规划。纳米技术代表了基于发现的科学前沿的一个令人兴奋的多学科主题，非常适合于容纳来自广泛STEM学科的本科生研究人员。在印第安纳大学-普渡大学印第安纳波利斯分校(IUPUI)，集成纳米系统开发研究所(INDI)提供了一个协作环境，本科生将在这里接受纳米材料研究项目的挑战，从为生物应用创造先进的纳米传感器阵列，到为特定的能量转换和存储设备创造新的纳米材料。教师导师横跨工程与技术学院、科学学院、医学学院和牙医学院。虽然提供的项目影响深远，但它们都共享开发和/或表征纳米材料的中心重点。这不仅展示了纳米技术及其应用的广度，而且提供了一个独特的合作氛围，鼓励广泛的思考和深度学习，同时提高学生的沟通技能、解决问题的能力，以及在不同的研究人员社区中工作的能力。该项目的目标是提供一个以研究为基础的暑期项目，旨在向学生灌输技能、信心和资源，让他们在未来的高级学位项目和职业生涯中脱颖而出。这是通过将尖端科学与专业发展研讨会相结合来实现的，从公开演讲和科学写作，到研究生入学和GRE准备，再到职业机会和简历建设。此外，IUPUI的教师研究体验(RET)和学生和教师创新技术体验(ITEST)项目使REU的学生有机会与来自周边大城市、高需求学区的K-12教师和学生互动。这些互动有可能增强RET开发的产品(学习模块)，并积极影响/激励高中生考虑STEM本科课程。在三年多的时间里，这个REU网站将：1)每年招募10名本科生，至少60%来自代表不足的少数民族，参加一个暑期项目，该项目将激发他们对学术研究和高等教育的兴趣，重点将放在从研究机会和研究生编程有限的大学和社区学院招收学生；2)利用纳米材料的多学科性质来影响跨STEM领域的学生，并在他们身上培养在学术研究中取得成功所需的技能；3)努力在参与者中建立强大的专业素质，包括与STEM研究有关的强大的沟通技能以及道德行为和社会责任；以及4)提供令人兴奋和相关的研究课题，以培养STEM的积极形象，并启发需要更高学位的未来职业发展轨迹。拟议的REU-Site的组织结构将有助于实现这些目标并确保方案成功。将通过与提供有限研究的地方和国家本科服务大学/社区学院建立伙伴关系，以及与历史上为黑人和少数族裔服务的机构建立伙伴关系，实现招生和多样化。此外，IUPUI为本科生暑期、学年研究机会提供了校园范围的基础设施，并为研究生院规划、职业发展和培养终身积极学习奠定了坚实的基础。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site Program, which is focused on nanomaterials for energy and biological applications, will provide a diverse cohort of undergraduate students with an immersive research experience infused with professional development programming. Nanotechnology represents an exciting and multidisciplinary topic at the forefront of discovery-based science, and is well-suited to accommodate undergraduate researchers from a broad range of STEM disciplines. At Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), the Integrated Nanosystems Development Institute (INDI) provides a collaborative environment where undergraduates will be challenged with nanomaterials research projects ranging from the creation for advanced nanosensor arrays for biological applications to new nanomaterials for specific energy conversion and storage devices. Faculty mentors span the Schools of Engineering & Technology, Science, Medicine, and Dentistry. While project offerings are far-reaching, they all share the central focus of developing and/or characterizing nanomaterials. This not only showcases the breadth of nanotechnology and its applications, but provides a unique collaborative atmosphere that encourages broad thinking and deep learning, while enhancing students’ communication skills, problem solving, and ability to work within a diverse community of researchers. The program’s goal is to offer a research-based summer program designed to instill students with the skills, confidence and resources to pursue and excel in future advanced degree programs and professional careers. This is accomplished by combining cutting-edge science with professional development workshops ranging from public speaking and scientific writing, to graduate school admissions and GRE preparation, to career opportunities and resume building. In addition, IUPUI's Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) and Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) programs allow opportunities for REU students to interact with K-12 teachers and students from surrounding metropolitan, high-needs school districts. These interactions have the potential to enhance RET-developed products (learning modules) and positively impact/inspire high school students to consider undergraduate programs in STEM.Over three years, this REU Site will: 1) Annually recruit 10 undergraduate students, a least 60% from underrepresented minorities from underrepresented groups, to participate in a summer program that will jumpstart their interest in academic research and higher learning where an emphasis will be placed on recruiting students from universities and community colleges with limited research opportunities and graduate programming; 2) Utilize the multidisciplinary nature of nanomaterials to impact students from across STEM fields and develop in them the skills needed to succeed in academic research; 3) work to establish strong professional attributes within participants, including strong communication skills as well as ethical behavior and societal responsibilities pertaining to STEM research; and 4) provide exciting and relevant research topics to cultivate a positive image for STEM and inspire future career trajectories that require advanced degrees. The organizational structure of the proposed REU-site will aid in meeting these goals and ensuring program success. Student recruitment and diversity will be achieved through established partnerships with local and national undergraduate-serving universities/community colleges with limited research offerings, as well as institutional partnerships with historically black and minority serving institutions. In addition, IUPUI provides a campus-wide infrastructure for undergraduate summer, academic-year research opportunities, and a solid foundation for graduate school planning, career development, and fostering lifelong active learning.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.