REU Site: Nanoscale Science Undergraduate Research Experience (NanoSURE) at UNC Charlotte

非技术综述：纳米科学和工程的进步正在提供以亚微观精度设计和控制物质的手段，并使医学、电子、太阳能和许多其他高科技领域取得突破。其中许多进展是在化学、物理、生物和工程等传统学科之间取得的，需要在本科生水平上进行特殊培训。北卡罗来纳大学夏洛特分校的NanoSURE REU网站将为多样化的有才华的本科生提供创新和跨学科的纳米科学研究体验。这些学生将参加研究团队，探索纳米科学解决各种挑战的方法，包括药物输送、催化、制造和可再生能源。许多学生将属于在STEM领域代表性不足的少数群体，许多学生将来自获得研究培训机会有限的机构(HBCU、PUI和社区学院)。该网站还将招募考虑从事STEM职业的退伍军人学生参加该项目。NanoSURE REU网站还将与夏洛特的一个科学博物馆合作，为REU的学生提供科学拓展方面的培训，并为他们提供向公众传播科学的机会。技术总结：该REU网站的拟议活动侧重于纳米科学和工程方面的跨学科培训。被选中参加该计划的学生将被分配到正在进行的跨学科纳米级科学研究项目，例如：(1)动态RNA纳米颗粒和可重新配置的纳米组件，(2)用于改善光催化治疗癌症的多功能二氧化硅纳米颗粒，以及(3)使用非金属等离子体纳米材料增强光催化。该网站将通过以下目标促进国家对培养为纳米科学和工程领域的跨学科和多学科挑战做好准备的新一代工作者的需求：(1)积极招募多样化的本科生，与致力于本科生指导的教师一起参与正在进行的纳米科学和工程研究经验；(2)向学生介绍各种纳米科学研究方法、突破和挑战，以引导他们的职业道路进入纳米科学相关研究领域；(3)让学生参与跨学科研究机会，鼓励跨传统学科边界的交流和合作；(4)通过提供工作坊、研讨会和社会活动来增强学生的体验，这些活动将对他们的专业发展产生积极影响，并鼓励他们参与研究生学习；以及(5)通过提供许多机会在队列会议上相互传播结果，通过与当地科学博物馆的合作向公众传播结果，并最终通过以同行评议的期刊格式提交摘要论文，以及参加一年一度的本科生研究专题讨论会，发展科学交流技能。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Non-Technical Summary: Advances in nanoscale science and engineering are providing the means to design and control matter with sub-microscopic precision and enabling breakthroughs in medicine, electronics, solar energy, and many other high-tech fields. Many of these advances are at the interface between the traditional disciplines of chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering and require special training at the undergraduate level. The NanoSURE REU site at UNC Charlotte will provide an innovative and interdisciplinary nanoscale science research experience for a diverse pool of talented undergraduates. The students will participate in research teams exploring nanoscience solutions to various challenges including drug-delivery, catalysis, manufacturing, and renewable energy. Many of the students will belong to minority groups underrepresented in STEM fields, and many of the students will come from institutions in which access to research training is limited (HBCUs, PUIs, and community colleges). The site will also recruit military veteran students considering STEM careers to participate in the program. The NanoSURE REU site will also partner with a science museum in Charlotte to provide training in scientific outreach and an opportunity for the REU students to disseminate science to the public. Technical Summary: The proposed activities of this REU site are focused on interdisciplinary training in nanoscale science and engineering. Students chosen to participate in the program will be assigned to ongoing interdisciplinary nanoscale science research projects, including for example: (1) Dynamic RNA Nanoparticles and Reconfigurable Nanoassemblies, (2) Multifunctional Silica-Based Nanoparticles to Improve PDT for Cancer, and (3) Enhanced Photocatalysis using Non-metal Plasmonic Nanomaterials. The site will advance the national need for developing a generation of workers prepared for the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary challenges of nanoscale science and engineering fields through the following objectives: (1) actively recruiting a diverse population of undergraduate students to participate in on-going research experiences in nanoscale science and engineering with faculty members committed to undergraduate mentoring; (2) introducing students to a variety of nanoscale science research methods, breakthroughs, and challenges early in their college experience to direct their career paths into nanoscale science related fields of study; (3) engaging students in interdisciplinary research opportunities that encourage communication and cooperation across traditional discipline boundaries; (4) enhancing the student experience by providing workshops, seminars, and social activities that will positively impact their professional development and encourage their participation in graduate studies; and (5) developing scientific communication skills by providing many opportunities to disseminate results to each other in cohort meetings, to the public through a collaboration with a local science museum, and ultimately by submitting a summary paper in a peer-reviewed journal format and participating in an annual undergraduate research symposium.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.