Multidisciplinary Soft Matter REU site at Cleveland State University

NSF sponsored REU site Synthesis, Assembly and Characterization of Soft Matter Systems at Cleveland State University (CSU) is in the second 3-year funding period. It is housed in the CSU's Physics department and involves faculty from Physics, Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, Math as well as collaborators from Case Western Reserve University. In this highly collaborative effort, faculty and students study the unique properties and applications of soft matter materials. The objective of the Soft Matter REU site is to involve undergraduate physics and engineering majors, especially students with limited prior research experience, in meaningful interdisciplinary research projects within soft matter science and engineering. A primary focus of the site is to encourage students to continue in STEM fields as either graduate students or successful workforce members. CSU’s focus on Engaged Learning has cultivated a strong culture of support for undergraduate research, and REU participants benefit from this culture. Students receive one-on-one mentoring from experienced faculty and participate in a variety of professional development opportunities. The culture of collaborative multidisciplinary research at CSU provides students with a unique perspective of working among peers and faculty from different academic disciplines. This poster highlights some of student research accomplishments and experiences in the Soft Matter REU as well as describes the projects and application process for the next two years of the program.