REU Site: Biomaterials Research Initiative Dedicated to Gateway Experiences (BRIDGE)

技术总结这个REU/RET网站的智力重点是生物材料和生物启发工程的基础研究和应用，由NSF材料研究部和NSF工程局提供支持。学生和教师将参与研究和教育项目，范围从对生物材料在自然界中如何形成和表现的基本了解，到设计和表征新材料在软和自适应机器人或辅助设备中的使用。项目将把重点放在向自然学习-如何解释复杂的功能，并通过修改、操纵或创造新材料来近似这些功能。项目围绕3个中心主题组织：1.生物和医学的纳米和微尺度结构2.用于组织工程和药物输送的可调材料3.软和自适应机器人的材料和策略参与者将有助于正在进行的研究项目，这些项目将在细胞和表面之间的界面的研究和设计中将实验与理论和/或模拟相结合；可调结构、凝胶和网络；药物输送系统；组织培养支架；以及多功能生物材料，如光子和电子生物材料。K-12教师和社区学院教职员工将与教职员工和学生合作，将这项研究转化为课堂和实验室活动。非技术总结REU网站的主题：哈佛大学致力于Gate Way经验的生物材料研究计划是材料科学和生物工程的相互作用，通过三个主题：(1)生物学和医学的微观结构的研究和设计；(2)用于组织工程和药物输送的可调和响应材料；以及(3)软和自适应机器人。选择这些主题是为了吸引广大学生，他们处于学术发展的早期阶段，对职业道路认识有限。哈佛大学的REU网站将重点关注以前几乎没有研究经验的学生。该计划包括招收和支持来自代表性不足群体的学生、非研究密集型机构的学生以及重新进入大学的非传统学生，特别是退伍军人。此外，来自当地高度多样化的K-12学校和社区大学的教师和教职员工将与教职员工和学生合作，开展动手课堂和实验室活动，旨在向学生介绍生物材料和生物启发工程方面的最新研究。该网站的专业发展活动将强烈关注科学沟通技能和创新。这项工作得到了美国国家科学基金会材料研究部和国家科学基金会工程局的支持。

TECHNICAL SUMMARYThe intellectual focus of this REU/RET Site, supported by the NSF Division of Materials Research and NSF Engineering Directorate is the fundamental study and application of biomaterials and bio-inspired engineering. Students and teachers will participate in research and educational projects that range from developing fundamental understanding of how biomaterials form and perform in nature, to designing and characterizing the use of new materials in soft and adaptive robotic or assistive devices. Projects will have a strong focus on learning from nature - how to interpret sophisticated functionalities and approximate these functionalities by modifying, manipulating or creating new materials. Projects are organized around 3 central themes:1. Nano- and microscale structures for biology and medicine2. Tunable materials for tissue engineering and drug delivery 3. Materials and strategies for soft and adaptive roboticsParticipants will contribute to ongoing research projects that combine experiment with theory and/or simulation in the study and design of interfaces between cells and surfaces; tunable structures, gels and networks; drug delivery systems; tissue culture scaffolds; and multi-functional biomaterials such as photonic and electronic biomaterials. K-12 teachers and community college faculty will work with faculty and students to translate this research into classroom and laboratory activities. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARYThe theme for the REU Site: Biomaterials Research Initiative Dedicated to Gate Way Experiences at Harvard University is the interplay of materials science and bioengineering via 3 themes: (1) the study and design of microscopic structures for biology and medicine; (2) tunable and responsive materials for tissue engineering and drug delivery; and (3) soft and adaptive robotics. The topics are chosen to appeal to a wide population of students who are at early stages of their academic development, and who have limited awareness of career paths. The REU Site at Harvard will have a strong emphasis on students with little or no previous research experience. The program includes recruitment and support for students from underrepresented groups, students at non-research intensive institutions, and non-traditional students who have re-entered college, in particular veterans of the armed forces. In addition, teachers and faculty from highly diverse local K-12 schools and community college will work with faculty and students to develop hands-on classroom and laboratory activities designed to introduce students to current research in biomaterials and bio-inspired engineering. The Site's professional development activities will have a strong focus on scientific communication skills and innovation. This work is supported by the NSF Division of Materials Research and NSF Engineering Directorate.