REU Site: Frontiers in the Chemistry of Materials

德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校的詹妮弗·布罗德贝特教授和他的同事们主持了一个本科生研究体验(REU)网站，该网站由化学系REU站点计划支持。这是一个本科生研究项目，旨在跨学科培养未来的科学领袖。这些项目侧重于材料化学的高级研究，包括生物材料、能源转换材料以及化学品和材料的表征。来自美国各地大学的八名本科生参加了一个为期十周的暑期项目，该项目将强化培训和以研究为重点的指导相结合，以增强理工科学生的留住能力。特别强调科学交流和纳入多方面的安全计划，为本科生进入研究生院或科学、技术和工程领域的工作做好准备。这项工作的更广泛的影响是本科生，包括那些来自代表不足的群体的本科生，通过使用最先进的光谱、合成和处理技术的实践培训，接触和参与材料化学及其对世界的影响这一总体主题。该项目与化学家和化学工程师一起，涵盖新材料的发现、设计、开发和表征。生物材料领域的研究工作借鉴了与评估生物兼容性和毒理学、机械和结构特性以及最终生物功能相关的概念。替代能源材料的发现代表着减轻依赖碳基燃料的后果的关键目标。其中一个重点是发现更高效的光伏材料，开发用于氢气生产、储存和输送的催化方法，以及开发用于太阳能捕获和转换的新设备。开发新的分析/物理方法，应用这些方法表征生物材料和能源材料，以及评估性能指标，是关键目标。一些本科生是新兴研究论文的合著者，教职员工在科学家技术发展的最早阶段参与指导他们。

Professor Jennifer Brodbelt and colleagues at the University of Texas at Austin host a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site supported by the REU Sites Program of the Chemistry Division. This is an undergraduate research program aimed at interdisciplinary training of future scientific leaders. The projects focus on advanced research in the chemistry of materials, including biomaterials, materials for energy conversion, and the characterization of chemicals and materials. Eight undergraduates from universities around the United States participate in a ten-week summer program that couples intensive training and research-focused mentoring in a way that enhances retention of students in science and engineering. The special emphasis on scientific communication and inclusion of a multi-faceted safety program prepares undergraduates for graduate school or jobs in science, technology and engineering fields. The broader impact of this work is the exposure and involvement of undergraduates, including those from underrepresented groups, to the overarching theme of chemistry of materials and its impact on the world via hands-on training with state-of-the-art spectroscopic, synthetic, and processing techniques.This program joins chemists and chemical engineers to encompass the discovery, design, development and characterization of new materials. Research efforts in the area of biomaterials draws on integration of concepts related to evaluation of biocompatibility and toxicology, mechanical and structural properties, and ultimately biofunction. The discovery of alternative energy materials represents a critical objectives to alleviate the consequences of relying on carbon-based fuels. One focus is on discovery of more efficient photovoltaic materials, development of catalytic methods for hydrogen production, storage and delivery, and the development of new devices for solar energy capture and conversion. The development of new analytical/physical methods, application of those methods for characterization of biomaterials and energy materials, and assessment of performance metrics are key goals. Some of the undergraduates co-author papers from the emerging research, and faculty engage in mentoring scientists at the earliest stages of their technical development.