PREM Quarterly Newsletter

Sally Thompson works in her mentor, Jeff Jessing's lab. This senior at Fort Lewis College is majoring in geology and minoring in engineering. Image courtesy of Sally Thompson.

From Minerals to Microscopy

Sally Thompson’s path at Fort Lewis College blends geology and engineering—and PREM has turned that mix into rare, hands-on research momentum, including publishing at age 19 and presenting at MRS.

A student works with faculty on an experiment as part of

Experimenta con PREM: A Two-Week Lab Immersion with Long-Term Impact

Each summer, Experimenta con PREM brings Puerto Rico public high school students into real materials research labs for an intensive, two-week experience. From hands-on experiments to final presentations for families and faculty, the program is designed to open doors to STEM degrees and research paths.

Under UV light in a hydrogen peroxide solution, microswimmers coated with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and chromium(III) oxide (Cr₂O₃) and atomically precise gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) generate separated charges on their surface that drive chemical reactions and create a net push, propelling the particle in a preferred direction.

Major Control over Microswimmers

Researchers at Northern Arizona University are learning how to steer “microswimmers”—tiny particles that move through liquid and could someday deliver treatments or clean up microscopic targets. The challenge is control: at this scale, Brownian motion knocks them off course. See what it takes to keep them on track.

A Cleaner GeSn–Si Interface

In a recent study by the PREM Center, Partnership for Research and Education in Functional Materials, researchers showed that a GeSn layer can be grown directly on silicon without a buffer, forming a clean interface but developing a rugged surface made of vertical column-like structures. These columns are separated by boundaries filled with threading dislocations, likely caused by small variations in tin content. Understanding this microstructure helps guide improvements to produce smoother, higher-quality films for devices. According to lead author, Jiechao Jiang, this work helps researchers grow better, smoother thin films that can be made using standard chip-factory methods—so they can add light-based functions onto silicon devices.

Xavier PREM Scholar to Speak at Upcoming ACS Presidential Symposium

Olivia Downey, a senior Chemistry major at Xavier University of Louisiana and a student researcher in the PREM program, is making history as one of only six undergraduate students selected nationwide to speak at the ACS Presidential Symposium, “The Next 150 Years of Undergraduate Research,” during the Spring 2026 American Chemical Society meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. The symposium will bring together leading voices in chemistry and emerging student scholars to reflect on the future of undergraduate research and its role in shaping the next generation of scientists.

New: Explore Research Opportunities

We recently launched an opportunities page, where you can find research positions, fellowships, and career opportunities. Search by position, location, center or lab, and more. Don’t miss it!