This Partnership for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) is dedicated to advancing renewable energy technologies to address the pressing challenges of climate change, particularly its impact on small tropical islands like Puerto Rico. The collaboration brings together researchers from three campuses of the University of Puerto Rico (Río Piedras, Mayagüez, and Humacao), two campuses of the Universidad Ana G. Méndez (Cupey and Gurabo), and the Center for High Energy X-ray Science (CHEXS) at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS).

Nanomaterials are at the core of this initiative due to their potential to revolutionize energy harvesting and storage. However, critical challenges in synthesis, stability, scalability, and environmental impacts must be addressed to unlock their full potential. By focusing on these areas, the partnership aims to develop innovative materials for clean energy production and storage, enabling applications in portable electronics, automotive technologies, and power systems. The integration of materials science and electrochemistry will drive advances in solar cells, green hydrogen, batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, and other clean energy technologies.

In addition to its research goals, this PREM emphasizes broadening participation in materials science and engineering. The partnership aims to retain and support underrepresented students in Puerto Rico pursuing energy materials research, leveraging educational and outreach programs at CHESS. By combining scientific innovation with community engagement, this project fosters a diverse pipeline of future STEM leaders while advancing sustainable energy solutions.

This initiative is supported in part by co-funding from the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and Sustainable Chemistry from the Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI) in the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS).