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Partnership for Research and Education in Materials

SMaRT QD PREM Logo

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This Partnership for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) is a collaboration between two Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), Delaware State University (DSU) and Claflin University (CU), highlighting a strategic partnership with the University of Delaware (UD) and a network of partners committed to strengthening STEM diversity, equity, and inclusivity through novel materials research and education. The PREM project brings together a diverse and talented scientific community with expertise in agriculture & environmental sciences, polymers, physics, engineering, chemistry, employing computational-based techniques to develop a fundamental understanding of advanced quantum confined materials and soft matter interactions in complex environments. Our collective efforts aim to build the infrastructure (facilities and human resources) at HBCUs to solve grand challenges related to data-driven materials design in the areas of soft matter and quantum confined materials that would otherwise not be achievable without a center approach. (NSF Award ID 2122158)Integrated Research and Educational Goal

Soft Matter Research & Technology and Quantum Confinement Materials Design (SMaRT QD) facilitates a Materials Genome Initiative (MGI) integrated, team-based model that links computation, data science, and experimentation crossing research boundaries between academia, national laboratories, and industry with the goals to: (1) enhance participants’ research capacity, scientific productivity, and training in the field of materials; (2) promote recruitment, retention, and degree attainment of minority students and other researchers in materials science; (3) increase the number of underrepresented minorities (URMs) knowledgeable in MGI related activities; and (4) create a world-class, next-generation materials science workforce. Our combined efforts with the UD Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) are focused on developing a multi-institutional operational framework that can be modeled broadly to build research capacity and expand their success to support diversity in STEM.

SMaRT QD PREM Research Overview

SMaRT QD PREM is a synergistic interdisciplinary research approach to the advancement of the basic understanding of soft matter and quantum confinement materials. The research is focused on the fundamental aspects of soft matter and quantum confinement materials research: (1) ‘bottom-up’ assembly of building blocks to design with specific composition, morphology, and structural properties; and (2) colloidally synthesized quantum dots and nanocrystals, and the development of innovative tools to reveal the subtle forms of emergent and topological order. The world-class instrument facilities at CU, DSU, and UD will enable and catalyze the rational design, synthesis, and characterization of smart materials incorporating the MGI approach to inform the synthesis of soft matter and quantum confinement materials with ‘tunable properties.’ 

MISSION

SMaRT QD’s unique integration of partnerships, mentoring, and outreach efforts will be the model for URM early engagement for institutional partnerships that link high schools and four-year institutions. In the preparation of an MGI workforce, participants gain an education enabling them to work productively in teams whose expertise covers the broad materials spectrum from synthesis and characterization, theory and modeling, to design and manufacturing.

PROGRAM FEATURES

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP

All interested candidates aiming to pursue a Master’s or Ph.D. in STEM must:

  • Have completed and obtained their undergraduate degree in the STEM or a closely related field
  • Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Have at least a 3.0 GPA
  • Have documented prior lab research experience (as undergraduate research or research internship)-at least one letter of recommendation.
  • GRE is required before DSU Graduate School acceptance

PROGRAM BENEFITS

  • Student financial support (stipend and tuition) totaling $25,000/graduate student
  • Individualized faculty mentoring and coaching

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

All interested candidates aiming to pursue a B.S. in STEM must:

  • Must be enrolled in an undergraduate program in the STEM or a closely related field
  • Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Have at least a 3.0 GPA
  • One (1) letter of recommendation

PROGRAM BENEFITS

  • Student financial support (stipend and tuition) totaling $25,000/graduate student
  • Individualized faculty mentoring and coaching