This Graduate Research Traineeship will enable Lehigh University to support five trainees, initiate two new research thrusts and expand two existing research areas in the Materials Science and Engineering (MS&E) Department at Lehigh University. Since 1988, four new and experienced faculty have entered the Department and two more start in 1992-93, thus creating the need for more graduates. The trainees will work in materials processing, characterization, and theory/modeling, which comprise a 1992 Presidential Initiative:-the Advanced Materials and Processing Program. %%% This initiative highlights the importance of MS&E to the industrial and economic growth of the USA. To enhance the trainees' experience, they will participate in an internship at a major US research laboratory. Letters of commitment have been obtained from nine companies and two National Laboratories. The trainees will have the opportunity for research at one of six European Universities and will teach in an undergraduate laboratory course at Lehigh. To overcome barriers that dissuade US undergraduates from entering Ph. D. programs, the NSF stipends will be increased and, where possible, the time to complete the Ph. D. will be reduced through an intensive precursor Master of Science level program.
