NSF PREM for Hybrid Nanoscale Systems

Funded by the National Science Foundation (Awa rd # 2122044), the NSF PREM for Hybrid Nanoscale Systems between NCCU and Penn State aims to boost participation and academic success of underrepresented minority students in material science and related disciplines. The partnership’s research will focus on hybrid material systems integrating nanostructures of different dimensionalities or classes of materials to explore novel phenomena and engineer new functionalities.

To recruit and train students well equipped to address future challenges in this emerging field, this partnership will integrate:

increasing the awareness and appeal of material science careers by highlighting the central role of the discipline in the 21st century;
extending the current “Penn Pal” mentoring program which will pair minority participants in the PSU MRSEC program with NCCU student participants in PREM;
providing student research experiences at the frontiers of material science closely mentored by both NCCU and PSU faculty; and
helping students acquire the STEM-specific oral and written communications skills, professional ethics and networking skills required for success in doctoral programs or industrial employment.

Center Website

Thrust 1

Mixed-Dimensional Heterostructures

Thrust 1 is focused on synthesis of mixed-dimensional (0D or 1D/2D) heterostructures for sensing, photovoltaic and photocatalytic applications, and characterization of charge transfer and enhanced chemical reactivity at the nanoscale interfaces.

Faculty

Darlene Taylor, Liju Yang, Ufana Riaz, John Asbury, Aida Ebrahimi, Noel Giebink, Joshua Robinson, Raymond Schaak, Mauricio Terrones, Fei Yan

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Thrust 2

Hybrid Nanoscale Materials

Thrust 2 encompasses research into hybrid metal/semiconductor, organic – inorganic perovskite and polymer/ceramic nanocomposites, and the impact of nanoscale structure on optical and dielectric properties.