The University of Puerto Rico (UPR) and the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at the University of Pennsylvania (PENN) will form a long term Collaborative to Integrate Research and Education (CIRE) to enhance the participation of minority students in the national pool of scientists and engineers (SE). The CIRE will: Increase the number and quality of baccalaureate degrees in the sciences at UPR and equip students with the tools necessary to enter first rate graduate programs in science and engineering. Create long-lasting collaborative research projects between UPR and PENN-MRSEC faculty who have similar research interests. Establish exchange programs whereby UPR faculty and students to the PENN-MRSEC for hands on experience with advanced research techniques and PENN-MRSEC faculty go to UPR to give short lecture series, collaborate on research, and participate in the program's annual review. Faculties from both institutions have been selected for their mutual research interests. The research program has been designed around `Charged Interfaces' and falls within the realm of Materials Research. Four research programs will integrate chemists and physicists at UPR with chemists, physicists, and materials scientists at the PENN-MRSEC with the goal of including many undergraduates in these programs. A special feature of this Collaborative will be the use of videoconferencing between institutions to enhance the flow of information and provide real-time interaction. Videoconferencing techniques will be used to enhance the educational and research experiences of UPR faculty and students by exposing them to PENN's Shared Experimental Facilities, allowing participation in real-time research group interaction, and having real-time, interactive lectures and colloquia from the MRSEC. Continued funding of th is collaboration at 60% in matching funds of the NSF level will be guaranteed by UPR for at least three years after termination of NSF funding.
