This HBCU-RISE proposal builds upon the establishment of the Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering in Fall 2007, which represents the culmination of fifteen years of research and education efforts by the Center for Materials Research (CMR) at Norfolk State University (NSU). The new program ushers in a new era for the CMR, bringing even greater opportunities, based on its mission of significantly increasing the recruiting, retention and terminal degree attainment of underrepresented minority students in this highly interdisciplinary area. Components of the project include: (1) development and enhancement of capability to fabricate biocompatible rare earth-doped luminescent nanophosphors and magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications, and (2) enhancement of research capability in micro- and opto-electronics that includes acoustic and functionalized-biosensors, photovoltaic and magnetic storage devices. The RISE project will provide the resources to develop the Center's infrastructure by broadening its research capabilities, with the addition of biomaterials and functionalized sensors design and preparation, and increase the Center's human resources capacity by the training of a cadre of young researchers to become independent investigators.
