REU Site: Multifunctional Nanomaterials Michelle Richards-Babb, West Virginia University Research Corporation, DMR Intellectual Merits: Goals Research on…..  Integration of novel biological and solid state devices  Optical, electronic, and magnetic properties of single/arrays of proteins, new solid state materials/devices  Biomolecular sensors (hybrid sensing devices) with potential applications in biometrics and health care  Energy conversion materials Intellectual Merits: Results 2012  Detection of atrazine using a silver triangle nanoarray and gold nanoparticle based surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-(Allison Rice, Chemistry major from Westminster College; Advisor: N. Wu, ME & AE) [a]  Used in vitro selection to isolate and obtain binding molecular recognition elements for exotoxin secreted by pseudomonas aerguinosa. (Ann Jackson, Biology major from WV Wesleyan C.; Advisor: L. Sooter, Pharmacy) [b]  Studied bismuth selenide crystals for use as topological insulators. (Robert Chastain, Applied Math major from College of Coastal Georgia.; Advisor: David Lederman, Physics.) [c] Notable Developments  Studied microvascular reactivity after exposure to multi-walled carbon nanomaterials (Katie Spears, Biochemistry major from Maryville C.; Advisor: T. Nurkiewicz, Physiology & Pharmac.)-nanomaterials may alter basal homeostatic and reactive microvascular mechanisms. [b] Gel electrophoresis of 1000 base pair gene for antibody fragments from seven HIR7 yeast colonies. [c] Grew bismuth selenide topological insulators using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). [a] SEM gold nanostar image

2012 WVNano REU Participant, Lawrence Jacob, Physics & Elect. Eng. Major from Morehouse College (right) in the process of fabricating single walled carbon nanotube ultrathin films. Lawrence will continue his research at Morehouse through a faculty partnership. REU Site: Multifunctional Nanomaterials Michelle Richards-Babb, West Virginia University Research Corporation, DMR Broader Impacts: Goals  Increase retention of women and students from Appalachia in STEM majors  Increase number of students that pursue post-grad STEM degrees and improve STEM workforce  Focus on four-year colleges from Appalachian region (students that might normally not consider attending graduate school) Broader Impacts: Results 2012  For eleven REU positions, 205 applications were received.  2012 REU participants included 5 women (45%) and three minorities (27%).  Four of REU participants have applied to or have been accepted to graduate school. Six of 11 are rising juniors or seniors.  Two of REU participants accepted engineering internships at the White House. Notable Developments  Scientific career mentoring speakers provide: networking opportunities and role models.  Culminating scientific poster symposium: is coordinated with five other summer UG research programs; allows participants to showcase their research and communication skills; and provides REU participants with an experience analogous to a scientific conference; 86 presenters in WVNano REU Participant, Olivia Pavlic, Physics Major from Bethany College working on aligning the MONSTR, an instrument used to measure linewidths and energies of GaAs quantum wells. Our culminating poster symposium is a judged event symposium winners in the categories of Biological & Health Sci., Agricultural & Environ. Sci., Physical Sci.& Eng., and Nanosciences.