Caltech REU Program @ California Institute of Technology
The Center for the Science and Engineering of Materials (CSEM) at Caltech, addresses both research and educational aspects of polymeric, structural, photonic, and ferroelectric materials that will be necessary to solve critical societal needs of the twenty-first century.
CSEM focuses on six interdisciplinary areas briefly described below. For a full description of these research areas and faculty please visit: http://www.csem.caltech.edu
Active Nanophotonic Materials: This research group seeks to combine the geometric opportunities to localize light in photonic crystals via microfabrication with the inherent material complexities of ferroelectric materials to obtain unprecedented ability to manipulate light.
Patterns, Gradients, and Signals in Soft Biomaterials: This research group develops macromolecular materials with predictable biological response by combining understanding of macromolecular synthesis, experimental and theoretical nanomechanics, and cell biology to move towards a comprehensive understanding of biological structure-function relationships in soft materials.
Advanced Structural Metals with Nanoscale Architecture - Glasses, Composites, and Cellular Foams
This research group is studying the mechanical deformation behavior of nanometer scale pillars and wires of glassy material to assess size effects on deformation.
Dependence of Mechanical Properties at the Nano-Scale on the Initial Micro-Structure of Materials
While "super-sizing" seems to be the driving force of our food industry, the direction of materials research has been quite the opposite: the dimensions of most technological devices are getting ever smaller. This research focuses on development of innovative experimental approaches to assess strengths of specimens whose dimensions have been reduced to nanoscale not only vertically but also laterally.
Periodic Systems of Nanostructures: This lab is assembling, characterizing, and doing mechanical testing of arrays and periodic ensembles of carbon nanotubes to create new materials with complex microstructure and innovative properties.
Structure-Property Relationships in Crystalline Systems: This research is has been developing novel methods to formally derive structure property relationships in crystalline systems from first principles electronic structure quantum mechanical calculations in a fully automated fashion.
To apply for a summer research fellowship:
- Send a 1-page curriculum vitae and a letter of interest to Ms. April Neidholdt at: apriln@caltech.edu
- Apply online for Caltech's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program. Please take note of the deadlines and eligibility requirements for the program.
