NUE: Interdisciplinary Research-Based Education

这项名为“NUE：跨学科研究为基础的教育”的工程纳米技术本科教育（NUE）项目由特拉华大学的Erik T. Thostenson博士指导，将包括1)课程开发，2)本科研究和3)参与课外活动。在所有这些领域中，将强调需要跨学科合作来开发纳米材料及其器件。本科生在实验室的研究经验对于教授未来的工程师开发功能纳米结构的制造方法以及为学生提供纳米工程所需的新表征和建模技术的实践经验是非常宝贵的。该计划的更广泛影响包括通过不同研究小组的合作和学生的共同指导，以及共享设施和仪器，加强研究和教育的基础设施。一项特别的努力将旨在通过工程学院的资源来确保成功的工程师（RISE）和工程女性（WIE）项目，从代表性不足的群体中招募特别有才华的学生。在项目负责人的建议下，工程学生团体参与到基于项目的活动中，将强调跨学科团队的工作和培养科学领导技能。由于项目的跨学科性质，研究成果将广泛传播到物理、材料科学和机械工程研究社区。项目团队将把这个NUE的结果纳入他们正在进行的外展计划以及工程学院的外展计划。最后，一个积极交流和互动的焦点是复合材料中心（CCM）。CCM的许多研究活动涉及纳米结构材料和器件的开发。来自整个大学九个学术部门的教师和学生以及近70家公司参与了该中心的行业联盟计划。这种密切的大学/工业互动促进了基础科学和技术应用之间的快速技术转移。

This Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education (NUE) in Engineering program entitled, "NUE: Interdisciplinary Research-Based Education", at the University of Delaware, under the direction of Dr. Erik T. Thostenson, will encompass 1) curriculum development, 2) undergraduate research and 3) involvement in extra-curricular programs. In all of these areas there will be an emphasis on the need for interdisciplinary collaboration for the development of nanoscale materials and their devices. Research experiences for undergraduates in the laboratory are invaluable at teaching future engineers the manufacturing approaches for developing functional nanostructures as well as giving students hands-on experience in new characterization and modeling techniques required for nanoscale engineering. The broader impacts of the program include enhancing the infrastructure for research and education through the collaboration of diverse research groups and co-advisement of students, and shared facilities and instrumentation. A particular effort will be aimed at recruiting exceptionally talented students from under-represented groups through the College of Engineering's Resources to Insure Successful Engineers (RISE) and Women in Engineering (WIE) programs. The involvement of engineering student groups advised by the PIs in project-based activities will emphasize working in interdisciplinary teams and building scientific leadership skills. Research results will be disseminated broadly to the physics, materials science, and mechanical engineering research communities because of the interdisciplinary nature of the projects. The project team will incorporate the results of this NUE in their ongoing outreach programs as well as the College of Engineering Outreach programs. Finally, a focal point for active exchange and interaction is the Center for Composite Materials (CCM). Numerous research activities at CCM involve the development of nanostructured materials and devices. There is participation of faculty and students from nine academic departments throughout the university as well as almost 70 companies in the Center's Industry Consortium Program. This close university/industry interaction facilitates rapid technology transfer between basic science and technological applications.