IRES Track I - URM - Undergraduate - Materials Science - New Zealand

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Part 1:This IRES award will expand research and mentorship access for undergraduate students at California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) by partnering with Victoria University Wellington (VUW) in New Zealand. The proposed project offers opportunities that are invaluable in training the next generation of research leaders thereby enhancing U.S. leadership in research and strengthening economic competitiveness. Students from (CSUSB)will travel to New Zealand to engage in high quality international research and professional development experiences in Materials Science. Specifically, fifteen students (five for three consecutive years) will participate in original research in the area of Advanced Functional Materials for 10 weeks (June - August) at the Robinson Research Institute, VUW. The research focuses on the magnetic, electric, and multifunctional properties of materials. A further goal is towards specific aerospace applications of high temperature superconductors. CSUSB is a Minority and Hispanic Serving Institution, and there will be a focus on including women and students from underrepresented groups in this program. The project will strive to inspire all student participants by a truly transformative international research experience, which would prepare them to be future leaders and mentors for subsequent students in STEM research and education. The CSUSB Center for Advanced Functional Materials (CAFM), with major funding from the NSF-CREST program has an established track record of success in preparing STEM research students. We anticipate building on these successes, enabling student participants to excel in STEM fields. CSUSB's main service area, with its low educational attainment and high poverty rates will particularly benefit from the degree completion and advanced training of all students. In addition, the international collaboration will provide expertise and facilities access through expanding professional collaborations with researchers in New Zealand.Part 2:The research embraces a Materials Genome inspired approach for rational development of advanced functional materials. Research methods include: Theoretical/computational materials genome, database mining, and first principles calculations: synthesis of thin film, nanoparticle, and crystal growth; and experimental characterization by, for example NMR, EPR, XRD, TEM, PFM, magnetic, dielectric, Raman, magnetoelectric. The primary goal is to create new materials with advanced properties or combined (preferably interacting) properties including: piezoelectric, ferroelectric, ferromagnetic, non-linear optic, multiferroic and magnetoelectric. These materials include thin films, nanocomposites, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), single crystals or polymers, and bulk formulations.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.