NSF East Asia and Pacific Summer Institute (EAPSI) for FY 2013 in Japan

这一行动资助埃里克G。Gharakhanian的加州洛杉矶大学（UCLA）进行工程研究项目在2013年夏天在日本先进的科学技术研究所（JAIST）在诺米，石川。 该项目的标题是“开发聚（肽）材料展示热激活形状记忆。“主持科学家是Tatsuo Kaneko博士。这项研究开发和研究了天然来源的多肽生物材料，这些材料对热刺激表现出形状记忆。 本工作涉及光交联剂功能化聚谷氨酸材料的制备和研究。 这些材料被交联到不同程度，并正在研究所得塑料的热机械性能。 从这些研究中获得的知识为开发具有热刺激形状记忆的生物可吸收材料提供了指导。 EAPSI奖学金的更广泛的影响包括为研究员提供美国以外的第一手研究经验;介绍各自所在地的科学，科学政策和科学基础设施;以及社会，文化和语言的方向。 这些活动符合NSF的目标，即在科学家，工程师和教育工作者的职业生涯早期进行国际合作教育，从而确保具有全球意识的美国科学工作者。 此外，受这项研究启发的生物材料装置将有助于改善所有社会中个人的福祉。 这项工作将继续与Kaneko实验室的科学伙伴关系，通过这种国际合作帮助维护美国的科学基础设施。

This action funds Eric G. Gharakhanian of University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) to conduct a research project in Engineering during the summer of 2013 at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) in Nomi, Ishikawa. The project title is "Development of Poly(peptide) Materials Demonstrating Thermally-Activated Shape Memory." The host scientist is Dr. Tatsuo Kaneko.This research develops and studies naturally-derived polypeptide biomaterials which show shape memory in response to thermal stimulus. This work involves the preparation and study of poly(glutamate) materials functionalized with a photo cross-linker. These materials are being cross-linked to varying degrees and the thermo-mechanical properties of the resultant plastics are being investigated. The knowledge gained from these studies provides a guide towards the development of bio-resorbable materials with thermally stimulated shape memory. Broader impacts of an EAPSI fellowship include providing the Fellow a first-hand research experience outside the U.S.; an introduction to the science, science policy, and scientific infrastructure of the respective location; and an orientation to the society, culture and language. These activities meet the NSF goal to educate for international collaborations early in the career of its scientists, engineers, and educators, thus ensuring a globally aware U.S. scientific workforce. Furthermore, biomaterial devices inspired by this research will help improve the well-being of individuals in all societies. This work will continue a scientific partnership with the Kaneko lab, helping maintain the U.S. scientific infrastructure through this international collaboration.