REU site: Experimental and Computational Methods for Materials Discovery

非技术简介:佛罗里达大学是一所顶尖的公立大学，坐落在一个典型的“大学城”，将在材料发现的实验和计算方法方面举办本科生研究体验（REU）网站，为本科生（UG）提供机会，在研究主题方面进行前沿研究，这些研究主题涵盖从超导体到生物材料的基础和应用科学，重点是人工智能（AI）在材料研究和发现中的应用。学生花10周时间进行研究，每周30至40小时，参加研讨会，讲习班和实验室参观，以提高他们的专业和科学发展。REU网站的主要目标是(i)以本科生的水平向参与者介绍材料科学和生物物理学的前沿研究课题，（ii）向学生介绍科学和工程领域的进一步教育和职业机会，（iii）从科学和工程领域代表性不足的群体中招募和留住学生。（iv）提供在学术界或工业界取得科学/工程事业成功所需的宝贵技能。来自物理系、材料科学系和机械工程系的教师导师在指导本科生研究方面拥有丰富的经验，他们将接受额外的培训，为数据采集和研究成果的发表制定现实的时间表，重点是一年级/二年级的本科生。综合研究和培训计划旨在建立未来的科学和技术劳动力。技术概述：该REU网站的项目已被选中，为学生提供凝聚态物理，材料科学和生物物理学等多种研究课题。项目分为三大类：（一）发现新材料；（二）先进材料特性和探索技术；（三）计算机模拟和建模。REU的学生被整合到教师导师的研究小组中进行独立研究，并接受最先进的实验技术的培训，例如使用脉冲激光沉积的薄膜生长和在高达9 T的磁场中在低至50 mK的低温下进行磁输输测量，以及计算技术，例如编写用于UF hypergator超级计算机的机器学习代码。除了花时间在他们的研究项目上，学生们参加每周的活动，以加强他们的科学和专业发展。他们参加口头和书面科学交流研讨会，参加实地考察，如塔拉哈西的国家高磁场实验室（NHMFL），并与佛罗里达大学研究生组织和在该行业工作的佛罗里达大学校友会面。学生们为参加由佛罗里达大学预科教育和培训中心组织的校园项目的K-12学生开展外展活动，并参加每周的研究报告，随后参观佛罗里达大学的实验室，如纳米制造设施。在夏季结束时，学生们进行演讲并准备他们的研究活动的书面报告。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值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: The University of Florida (UF), a top-ranked public university located in a quintessential "college town”, will host a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site in Experimental and Computational Methods for Materials Discovery that provides an opportunity for undergraduate (UG) students to perform cutting-edge research in research topics which span the fundamental and applied science of materials ranging from superconductors to biomaterials with an emphasis on the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in materials research and discovery. The students spend 10 weeks performing research for 30 to 40 hours per week and attend seminars, workshops, and laboratory tours to enhance their professional and scientific development. The main objectives of the REU site are (i) to introduce the participants to cutting-edge research topics in materials science and biophysics at a level accessible to undergraduates, (ii) to introduce the students to opportunities for further education and careers in science and engineering, (iii) recruit and retain students from underrepresented groups in science and engineering fields, and (iv) to provide valuable skills needed to succeed in science/engineering careers in academia or industry. Faculty mentors from the Physics, Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering departments with extensive experience in supervising undergraduate research receive additional training to develop realistic timelines for data acquisition and publication of research results with an emphasis on first/second year UG participants. The integrated research and training program is designed to build the scientific and technical workforce of tomorrow.TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The projects of this REU site have been selected to provide the students with a diverse set of research topics in condensed matter physics, materials science, and biophysics. Projects are grouped into three broad categories: (i) Discovery of new materials, (ii) Advanced materials characterization and exploratory techniques, and (iii) Computer simulations and modeling. The REU students are integrated into a faculty mentor’s research group to conduct independent research and are trained in state-of-the-art experimental techniques, such as thin film growth using pulsed laser deposition and magnetotransport measurements at low temperatures down to 50 mK in magnetic fields up to 9 T, and computational techniques, such as writing machine learning code for use with the UF HiPerGator supercomputer. In addition to spending time on their research projects, the students participate in weekly activities to enhance their scientific and professional development. They attend oral and written scientific communication workshops, participate in field trips to locations such as the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL) in Tallahassee, and meet with UF graduate student organizations and UF alumni working in the industry. The students undertake outreach activities for K-12 students participating in on-campus programs organized by the UF Center for Precollegiate Education and Training and attend weekly research presentations followed by visits to UF laboratories such as the nanofabrication facilities. At the end of the summer the students give talks and prepare written reports of their research activities.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.