REU Site: Polymer Science and Engineering at The University of Akron

非技术描述：阿克伦-REU聚合物科学和聚合物工程网站为本科生提供全方位的研究体验。REU的现场活动包括传播聚合物科学和工程的基础方面，随后是该领域尖端研究的身临其境的体验。参加阿克伦-REU项目的学生来自全国各地的大学，代表了学生人才库的多样性。该计划的核心任务是扩大研究参与，特别重视主要来自本科院校的学生和历史上代表性不足的人群，包括妇女、少数族裔和残疾学生。REU网站提供了一种研究体验，旨在通过为期9周的课程实现本科生研究人员日益独立的目标。学生参与聚合物化学、聚合物物理、聚合物加工和大分子生物科学的前沿研究。这些项目涵盖了可持续材料、能源材料、高性能材料和生物材料。REU的学生参加一些活动，如参观当地工业和政府实验室，以拓宽他们在学术环境之外的研究视野。REU网站与专家互动，通过小组讨论向学生提供他们的见解，主题从研究到职业道路和软技能发展。阿克伦-俄勒冈大学网站的多样化课程组合为本科生研究生或进入劳动力市场做好了准备。技术细节：阿克伦-REU基地的本科生研究人员从事旨在应对聚合物科学和聚合物工程当前和未来挑战的研究。通过参与20多个从事该领域所有方面工作的研究实验室的合作环境，学生们获得了该领域的高级知识。REU的学生从事聚合物化学、聚合物物理、聚合物加工和大分子生物科学的研究。这些领域的主题包括材料开发的计算进展，可持续聚合物和刺激响应材料的合成和表征，聚合物材料的界面表征，用于3D打印的先进制造方法和材料，模仿和融入自然设计，用于涂层和粘合剂的改进材料和工艺，以及用于组织工程的生物启发材料。REU的参与者通过课程向他们的同龄人和教职员工展示他们的研究成果。在项目结束时，参与者在与俄亥俄州东北部的其他REU项目联合举办的本科生研讨会上展示他们的研究。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 DESCRIPTION: The Akron-REU site in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering provides a holistic research experience for undergraduates. The REU site activities includes dissemination of the foundational aspects of polymer science and engineering, followed by an immersive experience in cutting-edge research in the field. Students participating in the Akron-REU program come from universities across the nation, representing the diversity of the student talent pool. The core mission of the program is to broaden research participation, with particular emphasis on students from primarily undergraduate institutions and historically underrepresented populations including women, minorities and students with disabilities. The REU site provides a research experience that is tailored towards achieving increasing independence of the undergraduate researcher through the course of the 9-week program. Students participate in leading-edge research in polymer chemistry, polymer physics, polymer processing and macromolecular bioscience. These projects span the spectrum from sustainable materials, energy materials, high-performance materials and biomaterials. The REU students partake in activities such as visits to local industries and government laboratories to broaden their perspectives on research outside of the academic environment. The REU site engages with experts to provide their insight to students through panel discussions on topics ranging from research to career avenues and soft-skills development. The diverse program portfolio of the Akron-REU site prepares undergraduate participants for graduate school or for entering the workforce. TECHNICAL DETAILS: Undergraduate researchers in the Akron-REU site engage in research designed to address current and future challenges in polymer science and polymer engineering. By participation in the collaborative environment of more than twenty research laboratories working on all aspects of the field, students obtain an advanced knowledge of the field. REU students work on topics of polymer chemistry, polymer physics, polymer processing and macromolecular biosciences. Topics in these fields range from computational advances for materials development, synthesis and characterization of sustainable polymers and stimuli responsive materials, interfacial characterization of polymeric materials, advanced fabrication methods and materials for 3D printing, mimicking and incorporating designs from nature, improved materials and processes for coatings and adhesives and bioinspired materials for tissue engineering. The REU participants present their research findings to their peers and faculty members through the course of the program. At the end of the program the participants present their research in an undergraduate symposium jointly hosted by other REU programs in northeast Ohio.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.