ABSTRACT
Technical Summary:
Stereotypical science faculty drive toward the discovery of new physical phenomena, while
stereotypical engineering faculty drive toward stabilization and control of new phenomena in
order to create value for society. But as the materials and structures under investigation have
shrunk from the microscale to the nanoscale (and beyond), neither of these stand-alone
approaches are sufficient to create the full understanding and implementation of new
phenomena. At the micro to nanoscale new and innovative potential uses of materials and
structures evolve, driven by cross-fertilization of ideas between traditional engineering
disciplines. Successful engineering research in this size regime requires close coordination with
leading edge underlying sciences if the discoveries are to exit the laboratory to become products
benefiting society. This REU site will provide students with an opportunity to work for ten
weeks on cutting edge micro to nanoscale engineering and leave having created knowledge that
could only have been imagined a decade ago. This REU site will be structured in an industry-like
natural work-group environment that will give skills and practice in effective and efficient
execution of this research-based educational experience. Full participation in an ethics class with
µEP grad students will lead participants to question their prior assumptions and adopt the mantle
of “citizen technologists”, while also demonstrating that rapid positive changes are best enabled
through mutual support and cooperation.
µEP 2014