| NSF Org: |
CHE Division Of Chemistry |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | March 13, 2017 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | March 13, 2017 |
| Award Number: | 1659571 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Melissa Olson
molson@nsf.gov (703)292-7448 CHE Division Of Chemistry MPS Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences |
| Start Date: | June 1, 2017 |
| End Date: | May 31, 2020 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $360,000.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $360,000.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
1500 HORNING RD KENT OH US 44242-0001 (330)672-2070 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
Kent OH US 44242-0001 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): |
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN CHEM, XC-Crosscutting Activities Pro |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.049 |
ABSTRACT
Professors Torsten Hegmann, Michael J. Tubergen, and colleagues at Kent State University host the REU Site at Kent State University: Liquid Crystals and Advanced Materials. The Site is co-located in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry as well as the Liquid Crystal Institute (LCI) at Kent State University (KSU). This site is funded by the REU Site Programs of the Division of Chemistry and the Division of Materials Research, both in the NSF Directorate of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. The research projects supported bring a diverse group of students from two and four year institutions, including institutions serving primarily students of color, from various parts of the country to KSU to interact with a local cohort of KSU students. Mentors work closely with these students as they pursue scientific discovery involving advanced materials from liquid crystal chemistry and soft condensed matter physics to bio- and nanomaterials. The students participate in all aspects of the scientific process, from design and execution of their project to interpretation and dissemination of research results, all in a cooperative and collegial atmosphere.
Early participation in a research experience has been identified as an important component of student engagement in science. The provision of a unique first research experience is at the heart of this REU program with a lasting impact on the career of the participating students. Aside from exposure to a multidisciplinary research culture, this experience creates new friendships, networks, and aspirations that will endure long after the summer research experiences are completed. Effective mentoring of the undergraduate students throughout this program and an integrative approach will foster the development of critical research skills and advance career prospects. Mentors benefit from the enhanced science productivity through the participation of these new scientists, and the participating undergraduates enjoy a still larger long-term impact as they evolve into their own distinct pursuits.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
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PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
The heart of this NSF-REU project was to provide a diverse group of undergraduate students with a comprehensive learning, career-building, and hands-on research experience that had advanced materials chemistry at its core, yet seamlessly crossed the disciplinary boundaries amongst materials science, biology, and chemical physics. Undergraduate students conducted research in Kent State University's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry as well as the Advanced Materials & Liquid Crystal Institute (AMLCI), which are recognized centers of excellence in advanced materials, technology, and education. Advanced materials and liquid crystals in their many shapes and forms provided a wealth of diverse and fascinating research topics that inspired participating students, thereby increasing their desire to pursue STEMM research careers. The program was designed to provide a framework in which students exercise all of the main components of scholarly scientific activity: project conception, execution, discussion, interpretation, evaluation, research ethics, and dissemination. Topics for the students to choose from reflected the continuum between basic science and its ultimate applications and impacts such as DNA sensors, living liquid crystals, organic transistors, and rubbers for tissue engineering, among others. Thus far, these REU students are co-authors on 15 peer-reviewed journal publications and 34 conference presentations or publications. One student included a part of the research pursued during the 2019 summer in its honors thesis, and one student secured a prestigious Goldwater scholarship based on his research in the Summer of 2018. At least ten students of the total of 30 are now pursuing or have committed to attending graduate school in STEM disciplines. Moreover, these research experiences were enriched by activities such as clean room and instrumental training sessions, an interactive research ethics component, mentor training modules, literature training sessions, clean room training modules, professional development sessions, and diverse social activities (concerts, hiking trips, canoe trips, among others). Overall, these research experiences created enduring friendships, fostered network formation, and enabled career paths in STEM, medical and related fields.
Last Modified: 06/22/2020
Modified by: Torsten Hegmann
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