This is a Research Experiences for Undergraduates Site grant. The award permits undergraduate students to participate in a research program in the materials field under the supervision of faculty members actively engaged in research. The Cornell program emphasizes significant recruitment and participation of minorities and females, as well as representation from universities nationwide. The program lasts ten weeks in the summer, and includes instruction in the use of libraries, search of electronic data bases, research in teams composed of undergraduates, graduate students, post-docs, and faculty members, planning of experiments, use of instrumentation for research on polymer-based fibers, data analysis, oral presentation of results in a university-wide seminar. Research undertaken includes fiber chemistry, biomedical textiles, high performance fibers, composite materials, liquid crystal polymers, and dye chemistry. Funding is provided for six students. The program enhances current research activities as well as adding to the number of scientifically trained individuals. It is hoped that this hands-on experience will serve as a stimulus to attract and retain highly-gifted students into careers in teaching and research.
