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Highlights

Semi-group photo of APS attendees of the CSULB
Jan 7, 2026
California State University - Long Beach

CSULB-OSU PREM Symposium

At the CSULB-OSU PREM symposium, students engaged in collaborative, interdisciplinary projects spanning quantum materials, molecular topology, and nanofabrication, supported by reciprocal exchanges and regular joint meetings. We had 21 CSULB summer research projects and 8 CSULB students doing REUs at OSU’s CEM.
a) Schematic of AuNC-TiO, Microswimmers and photocatalytic activity resulting in directional motility; b) TEM/EDS of AuNC-TiO, microswimmers indicating janus-like adherence of AuNC to TiO2 microswimmers; c) 4.5 fold enhancement of AuNC-TiO, catalytic activity; Motility of d) AuNC-TiO, and e) TiO, alone showing increased motility as a function of AuNC.
Oct 17, 2025
Northern Arizona University

Enhanced active matter photocatalysis via Gold Nanoclusters

J. Martinez and G. Montaño (co-Pls), Northern Arizona University

In a paper titled Enhanced active matter photocatalysis via Gold Nanoclusters, researchers show that atomically precise gold nanoclusters can act as motility catalysts for active-matter microswimmers. By exploiting the nanoclusters’ tiny size and controllable optical activity, they achieve nearly fivefold higher mean-square displacement under UV light than conventional TiO2-based microswimmers. The work opens a path to add new functionalities to microswimmers by using the diverse properties of gold nanoclusters.
Surface Reconstruction of Metal Oxide Oxygen Evolution Catalysts
Conference Across MRSEC and PREM Schools (CAMPS)
Jul 31, 2025
Texas State University

Conference Across MRSEC and PREM Schools (CAMPS)

Tania Betancourt, Texas State University

Texas State University hosted the 2025 Conference Across MRSEC and PREM Schools (CAMPS), bringing together 94 students from over 30 universities. The event featured a speaker series with faculty and industry presenters, rapid-fire oral presentations, and poster sessions. Attendees also participated in a career panel, networking lunch, and toured research labs to learn about materials characterization equipment, including electron microscopy tools. The conference aimed to foster collaboration and networking among students and professionals in the field.
TOP Schematic for the microfluidic Lung on a Chip device designed at Fort Lewis College. BOTTOM Senior Capstone team presenting their work at the FLC Spring Research Symposium (left to right: Nic Theobald, Zachry Szura, Alex Romme, and Mark Torres)
Nov 20, 2024
Fort Lewis College

Integration of a Novel Biomembrane into a Lung-on-a-Chip Microfluidic Test-Platform

Jeff Jessing, Fort Lewis College

The Lung-on-a-Chip team at Fort Lewis College developed a novel fabrication method to produce a viable porous silicon biomembrane that mimics the functionality of the human interstitial space that separates the alveolar cells and the capillary cells where the gas exchange occurs in the lungs.
TOP left Single crystals of CuBi,04 grown by NSU undergraduates in the
PEAQS-NSU crystal growth laboratory. BOTTOM left NSU undergraduate, Aieva Dixon setting up a crystal growth experiment. RIGHT NSU undergraduates Liam Harrigan and Kevin Allen lowering crystals in the cryostat at the NHMFL.
Nov 20, 2024
Fort Lewis College

Single Crystal Growth of Quantum Materials

Doyle Temple, Norfolk State University

PEAQS students have begun to grow and characterize more than half a dozen new crystals, including CaFe2 4, Ba-doped CaFe2 4, CuBiz 4, MgCr204, BaFeGaO4, PdGa, and PiGa.
TOP Bacterial sample collection and signal detection overview. BOTTOM Filter and amplifier circuit design to provide the necessary resolution and sensitivity for bacterial detection.
Nov 20, 2024
Fort Lewis College

An Optical/Electrical System for Micro Droplet Screening

Yiyan Li, Fort Lewis College

The undergraduate researchers at Fort Lewis College developed a microscope and an optical signal detector circuit to quantify single bacterium in microdroplets from environmental water samples.
An Optical/Electrical System for Micro Droplet Screening
Nov 20, 2024
Fort Lewis College

An Optical/Electrical System for Micro Droplet Screening

Yiyan Li, Fort Lewis College

The undergraduate researchers at Fort Lewis College developed an optical system to quantify single bacterium from environmental water samples. To improve signal detection in their system, they developed a neural network, a method in artificial intelligence.
Can magnetic quantum dots be catalysts too? Revisiting Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles for catalysis
Apr 11, 2023
University of Central Florida

Can magnetic quantum dots be catalysts too? Revisiting Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles for catalysis

Using a method developed by Gamelin Lab at UW in 2003 to study magnetic quantum dots, we synthesize Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles with varying Co atomic % inside ZnO nanoparticles.
Collaborative  Research and Education in Energy Materials (CREEM)
Feb 21, 2023
North Carolina A & T State University

Collaborative Research and Education in Energy Materials (CREEM)

NSF PREM-supported three PhD students graduates in Fall 2022 at NCAT (Fall 2022 NCAT Commencement file photo, December 9, 2022)