REU Site: Collaborative Undergraduate Research in Energy

该奖项来自化学学部（CHE），支持由麻省大学阿默斯特分校的Sankaran Thayumanavan和Justin T. Fermann领导的本科生研究经验（REU）网站。从2010年开始，该网站将支持三个夏季。该网站每年夏天将为10名学生提供为期10周的培训。该网站被命名为“能源本科合作研究”，专注于跨学科化学研究，重点是对下一代可再生能源技术有影响的基础研究。样本项目包括：(1)使用生物质子转运体作为质子选择膜中的元素；(2)通过模板电沉积技术开发光伏材料；(3)新型燃料电池用聚合物电解质膜的合成与研究；(4)质子导电材料中尺度结构的建模与表征；(5)可再生燃料生产用新型分子筛催化剂的开发与研究；(6)用于太阳能电池的量子点的环境命运和生物利用度研究（纳米环境健康和安全）；除了在夏季进行研究外，参加该计划的学生还将参加一些专业发展活动。学生们还将参加到春田博物馆或波士顿科学博物馆的拓展活动。学生将从全国各地的大量机构招募，包括一些少数民族学校。此外，将从区域女子学院征聘相当数量的妇女。作为培训的一部分，年轻科学家需要接触现代研究方法和工具。这个REU网站旨在为大量可能没有这个机会的学生提供化学科学方面的前沿研究培训。这些研究项目涉及的化学领域将对能源和可持续性领域产生影响。在这里参与研究的不同学生群体将为读研做好充分准备，并最终成为该国技术劳动力的一部分。

This award from the Division of Chemistry (CHE) supports a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site led by Sankaran Thayumanavan and Justin T. Fermann at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. The site will have support for three summers, commencing in 2010. The site will support ten students per summer in a ten week program. The site is named: "Collaborative Undergraduate Research in Energy," and focuses on interdisciplinary chemistry research with a focus on fundamental research with an impact in next-generation renewable energy technologies. Sample projects include: (1) the use of a biological proton transporter as an element in a proton-selective membrane; (2) the development of photovoltaic materials through template electrodeposition; (3) the synthesis and study of new kinds of polymer electrolyte membranes for use in fuel cells; (4) the modeling and characterization of mesoscale structures in proton conducting materials ; (5) the development and study of new molecular sieve catalysts for the production of renewable fuels; and (6) the study of the environmental fate and bioavailability of quantum dots used in solar cells (nano environmental health and safety); In addition to conducting research during the summer, the students participating in this program will participate in a number of professional development activities. Students will also participate in an outreach activity to either the Springfield Museum or the Boston Museum of Science. Students will be recruited from a large number of institutions across the country, including a number of schools that are minority-serving. In addition, significant numbers of women will be recruited from regional women's colleges.Young scientists need exposure to modern research methods and tools as part of their training. This REU site aims to provide cutting-edge research training in the chemical sciences to a significant number of students who might not otherwise have this opportunity. The research projects are in areas of chemistry that will have an impact in the areas of energy and sustainability. The diverse student cohort participating in research at this site will be well-prepared for graduate school, and eventual employment as part of the country's technical workforce.