REU Site: Polymer Science and Engineering at The University of Akron

REU 站点：阿克伦大学高分子科学与工程

• 批准号: 2051052
• 负责人: Mesfin Tsige
• 金额: $ 36.7万
• 依托单位: University of Akron
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2021-03-01 至 2025-02-28
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2051052&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: REU; Site; Polymer; Science; Engineering

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: The Akron-REU site in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering provides a holistic research experience for undergraduates. The REU site activities includes dissemination of the foundational aspects of polymer science and engineering, followed by an immersive experience in cutting-edge research in the field. Students participating in the Akron-REU program come from universities across the nation, representing the diversity of the student talent pool. The core mission of the program is to broaden research participation, with particular emphasis on students from primarily undergraduate institutions and historically underrepresented populations including women, minorities and students with disabilities. The REU site provides a research experience that is tailored towards achieving increasing independence of the undergraduate researcher through the course of the 9-week program. Students participate in leading-edge research in polymer chemistry, polymer physics, polymer processing and macromolecular bioscience. These projects span the spectrum from sustainable materials, energy materials, high-performance materials and biomaterials. The REU students partake in activities such as visits to local industries and government laboratories to broaden their perspectives on research outside of the academic environment. The REU site engages with experts to provide their insight to students through panel discussions on topics ranging from research to career avenues and soft-skills development. The diverse program portfolio of the Akron-REU site prepares undergraduate participants for graduate school or for entering the workforce. TECHNICAL DETAILS: Undergraduate researchers in the Akron-REU site engage in research designed to address current and future challenges in polymer science and polymer engineering. By participation in the collaborative environment of more than twenty research laboratories working on all aspects of the field, students obtain an advanced knowledge of the field. REU students work on topics of polymer chemistry, polymer physics, polymer processing and macromolecular biosciences. Topics in these fields range from computational advances for materials development, synthesis and characterization of sustainable polymers and stimuli responsive materials, interfacial characterization of polymeric materials, advanced fabrication methods and materials for 3D printing, mimicking and incorporating designs from nature, improved materials and processes for coatings and adhesives and bioinspired materials for tissue engineering. The REU participants present their research findings to their peers and faculty members through the course of the program. At the end of the program the participants present their research in an undergraduate symposium jointly hosted by other REU programs in northeast Ohio.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.

非技术描述：阿克伦-REU网站在聚合物科学和聚合物工程为本科生提供了一个整体的研究经验。REU网站活动包括传播聚合物科学和工程的基础方面，然后是该领域前沿研究的沉浸式体验。参加阿克伦-REU计划的学生来自全国各地的大学，代表了学生人才库的多样性。该计划的核心使命是扩大研究参与，特别强调来自主要本科院校的学生和历史上代表性不足的人口，包括妇女，少数民族和残疾学生。REU网站提供了一个研究经验，是针对实现通过9周的课程本科研究人员的独立性不断提高。学生参与高分子化学，高分子物理，高分子加工和大分子生物科学的前沿研究。这些项目涵盖可持续材料、能源材料、高性能材料和生物材料。REU学生参加活动，如参观当地工业和政府实验室，以拓宽他们对学术环境之外的研究的视角。REU网站与专家合作，通过小组讨论为学生提供他们的见解，主题从研究到职业途径和软技能发展。阿克伦-REU网站的多元化计划组合准备本科参与者研究生院或进入劳动力市场。技术规格：阿克伦-REU网站的本科研究人员从事旨在解决聚合物科学和聚合物工程当前和未来挑战的研究。通过参与20多个研究实验室在该领域的各个方面的合作环境，学生获得该领域的先进知识。REU的学生从事高分子化学，高分子物理，高分子加工和大分子生物科学的研究。这些领域的主题包括材料开发的计算进展，可持续聚合物和刺激响应材料的合成和表征，聚合物材料的界面表征，3D打印的先进制造方法和材料，模仿和结合自然界的设计，改进材料和涂层和粘合剂的工艺以及组织工程的生物启发材料。REU的参与者通过该计划的过程中向他们的同行和教职员工展示他们的研究成果。在项目结束时，参与者在俄亥俄州东北部的其他REU项目联合主办的本科生研讨会上介绍他们的研究。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估来支持。

项目成果

Toughness arising from inherent strength of polymers

韧性源自聚合物的固有强度

• DOI: 10.1016/j.eml.2022.101819
• 发表时间: 2022
• 期刊: Extreme Mechanics Letters
• 影响因子: 4.7
• 作者: Smith, Travis;Gupta, Chaitanya;Fan, Zehao;Brust, Gregory J.;Vogelsong, Russ;Carr, Caleb;Wang, Shi-Qing
• 通讯作者: Wang, Shi-Qing