UTRGV-UMN PARTNERSHIP FOR FOSTERING INNOVATION by BRIDGING EXCELLENCE in RESEARCH and STUDENT SUCCESS

* 非技术摘要 * 德克萨斯大学格兰德河谷分校（UTRGV）是由德克萨斯大学泛美分校（UTPA）和UT布朗斯维尔分校（UTB）合并而成的新机构。UTRGV将于2015年9月作为一个新兴的研究机构与一个新的医学院开放。UTRGV将开放超过30，000名学生，其中89%是西班牙裔。拟议的UTRGV-UMN PREM伙伴关系将为发展研究和教育基础设施提供机会。该PREM将直接影响140多名学生（20名硕士）。（120 B.S.）他们中的大多数将是来自代表性不足群体的第一代大学生。最先进的拟议研究，结合PI在领先的成功学术企业中的经验，提供了一个机会，可以进一步发展材料科学的基础知识和技术，同时通过为学生提供必要的知识，技能和能力来加强STEM劳动力。PI与UG学生合作的良好记录，并将指导初级教师通过研究项目进一步提高学生的成功。PREM团队将在同行评审的期刊文章，会议演示和多个外展活动中向K-12学生和教师传播所获得的知识。 * 技术总结 * PREM团队将联合收割机与UTRGV的七个不同部门和UMN的三个部门共同努力，以促进对技术的基本理解和发展。具体来说，选定的子项目是：（1）在过氧复合金属氧化物的磁电效应;（2）不易燃，离子液体为基础的电解质更安全的锂离子电池;（3）共轭聚合物的合成光致发光和电解质门控晶体管;（4）培养的哺乳动物细胞在纳米纤维环境中的稳态生物相关应用的NF的开发;和（5）使用持久发光尖晶石纳米颗粒的细胞成像。 这些项目将：（a）旨在培养学生具有较强的分析能力、创造力/创新、团队合作、领导力和职业道德，成为材料科学劳动力中的远见者和企业家;（B）促进UMN/UTRGV之间的教师和学生交流;（c）提高K-12学生对STEM的认识，同时提高K-12教师对创新和创造性思维的认识;以及（d）改善UTRGV的研究、学术和社区基础设施，以促进长期增长和可持续发展。

****Non-Technical Abstract****The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is a new institution resulting from the merger of the University of Texas Pan American (UTPA) and UT Brownsville (UTB). UTRGV will open its doors in September 2015 as an emerging research institution with a new medical school. UTRGV will open with over 30,000 students being 89% Hispanic. The proposed UTRGV-UMN PREM partnership will provide opportunities to develop research and education infrastructure. This PREM will directly impact over 140 students (20 M.S. and 120 B.S.) most of whom will be first generation college students from underrepresented groups. The state of the art proposed research, combined with the PIs experience in leading successful scholarly enterprises presents an opportunity to further develop basic knowledge and technology in materials science while strengthening the STEM workforce by equipping students with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to thrive. The PIs have a strong track record of working with UG students, and will mentor junior faculty to further improve student success through research projects. The PREM team will disseminate acquired knowledge in peer-reviewed journal articles, conference presentations, and multiple outreach activities to K-12 students and teachers. ****Technical Summary****The PREM team will combine efforts from seven different departments within UTRGV and three from UMN to promote fundamental understanding and development of technology. Specifically, the selected subprojects are: (1) Magnetoelectric Effects in Perovskite Complex Metal Oxides; (2) Nonflammable, Ionic Liquid-Based Electrolytes for Safer Lithium-ion Batteries; (3) Synthesis of Conjugated Polymers for Photovoltaics and Electrolyte Gated Transistors; (4) Homeostasis of Cultured Mammalian Cells in a Nanofiber Environment Development of NFs for bio-related applications; and (5) Cellular Imaging Using Persistent Luminescent Spinel Nanoparticles. These projects will: (a) aim in the development of students with strong analytical skills, creativity/innovation, teamwork, leadership, and work ethics to become visionaries and entrepreneurs in the materials science workforce; (b) promote an exchange of faculty and students between UMN/UTRGV; (c) raise STEM awareness in K-12 students while increasing awareness of innovation and creative thinking among K-12 teachers; and (d) improve UTRGV's research, academic, and community infrastructure, to promote long term growth and sustainability.