IMPACT - Next Generation (Research Experience for Undergraduates)

University of Louisville - Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program - Interdisciplinary Micro/nano/additive-manufacturing Program Addressing Challenges Today

 

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE TO APPLY FOR IMPACT NEXT GENERATION REU 2021-2023

The University of Louisville J.B. Speed School of Engineering welcomes students this summer to join our research experience for undergraduates Micro/Nano Manufacturing program called INTERDISCIPLINARY MICRO/NANO MANUFACTURING PROGRAM ADDRESSING CHALLENGES TODAY. IMPACT - Next Generation (IMPACT-NG)

IMPACT-NG will focus on the overriding theme of hands-on advanced manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing, as we expect an eventual convergence of these technologies as the field of AM continues to improve print resolution and expand its material base. UofL has 20+ years of 3D printing experience using both plastics and functional metals. We will start our summer program with a week-long micro/nano cleanroom training experience, an extremely popular component where all of our students learn how to manufacture silicon-based solar cells using state-of-the-art fabrication tools in our $30M Class 100 cleanroom. IMPACT-NG will also include a hands-on 3D printing experience for all our students. We plan to continue all of the successful educational and professional development training activities from our inaugural REU program.

WHAT IS MICRO NANO FABRICATION?:
Micro/Nano Fabrication is a very interdisciplinary and diverse field of study.  Its applications range from tiny implantable wireless devices for the human body to autonomous robotic micro-sensors for the environment to next-generation wearables for the Internet of Everything. The number of items which include or use micro/nanotechnology continues to expand at an exponential rate and the NNI predicts that 2 million micro/nanotechnologists will be needed by 2020 in the USA alone, compared to 25,000 in 2000. Because most nanotechnology programs at universities are focused at the graduate level, undergraduate programs such as this exciting hands-on REU program are vitally needed to introduce students to the fascinating field of micro/nano fabrication at an early stage in their academic career so they can leverage it in their graduate studies and throughout their careers.
HOW WILL YOU BENEFIT FROM PARTICIPATING?
Due to the pervasive nature of micro/nano-manufacturing, graduates of our hands-on REU program should find numerous graduate school opportunities in the fields of engineering, chemistry, physics, biology and even medicine.

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE IMPACT-NG REU EXPECTATIONS OF BEHAVIOR to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all participants as well as our Policies and procedures approved by the University of Louisville Board of Trustees can be found on the following links:
 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE UOFL IMPACT REU:

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS TO ENROLL:

College undergraduate students in the non-traditional fields of  Physics, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Bio-Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, Medicine and Biology.

PROGRAM START AND END DATES:

May 26th to August 4th

PROGRAM LENGTH:

10 weeks including 3 Day Convocation in Austin Texas

PROGRAM TYPE:

Residential (housing and stipends ($6,000 per student) provided) - Meals not provided

LOCATION:

University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky

LIST OF OBJECTIVES:

Provide each student with a personalized research experience related to micro/nanotechnology,

Have all students obtain a core competence in the field of micro/nano-manufacturing through a common cleanroom experience where they design, fabricate and test custom solar cells,

Develop each students’ independence and confidence through participation in research, in-house presentations, weekly scientific meetings and poster presentations,

Provide complementary programs to enhance their learning and skillset (i.e. seminars on writing, engineering design, critical thinking, ethics, etc),

Stimulate the students’ interests in graduate careers in related science and engineering disciplines,

Reach out to undergraduates especially underrepresented groups, and make their 10-week experience fun through hands-on research projects and interesting social activities.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SUPPORT AND DISCLAIMER

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1560235. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.