NANOJAPAN: Preparing Globally Engaged Scientists and Engineers SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAM SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

National Science Foundation: Partnerships for International Research and Education "At a time when scientific and engineering research is becoming increasingly global, this NSF program is designed to enable U.S. scientists and engineers to build strong, long-lasting international research collaborations and to develop a new cadre of globally engaged U.S. scientists and engineers," said Kathryn Sullivan, acting director of NSF's Office of International Science and Engineering, which awarded the PIRE grants.

National Science Foundation: Partnerships for International Research and Education PIRE projects are characterized by: –close integration of research and education –extensive student preparation for foreign experiences and strong mentoring during international research –activities that will contribute to developing an international community of scholars at U.S. universities.

NanoJapan Program Goals Encourage U.S. undergraduate students to: –Consider graduate school Declining number of U.S. graduate students –Choose nanotechnology as field of study Strong graduate program at Rice (and other schools) But few undergraduates majoring in the nanosciences Develop a generation of globally-savvy engineers and scientists –Create an international network of peers –Breakdown barriers (cultural, language, etc...)

Why Nanotechnology? Emerging cross-disciplinary research field Exciting applications and solutions to contemporary global problems –Medicine/Health –Computation –Energy Vital to future growth in U.S. and world economies

Why Japan? In 2004 Japan and the US accounted for 57% of worldwide nanotechnology R&D spending –(Japan slightly ahead of US)

NanoJapan

May 13: Pre-Departure Orientation at Rice May 15 – June 5: Orientation Program in Tokyo June/July: Research Internships Mid-July: Mid Program Meeting in Kyto August 4 & 5: Re-Entry Program & RQI Colloquium at Rice Enroll for 1 ECE Research Credit through Rice Summer School Up to a $4,500 Stipend + International Airfare Program Details Hokkaido Miyajima Kyoto

NanoJapan 2010 Summer Research Program Welcome to Japan!

8 ½ Weeks 2011 projects focused on THz dynamics of nanostructures –SWNT, MWNT, Graphene PIRE: U.S.-Japan Cooperative Research and Education on Terahertz Dynamics in Nanostructures –Advances our quantitative understanding of the THz dynamics of interacting, confined, and driven electrons in nanostructures, –Grows, synthesizes, and fabricates novel nanostructures for THz study and applications, –Advances our cutting-edge experimental techniques in THz spectroscopy and imaging – Provides new knowledge useful for developing novel semiconductor or carbon-based devices that operate in the THz “technology gap.” Research Internship

Potential Research Hosts in JP –Chiba University –Hokkaido University (Sapporo) –Keio University (Tokyo) –Kyoto University –Osaka Institute of Technology –Osaka University –RIKEN –Shinshu University (Nagano) –Tokyo Institute of Technology –Tohoku University (Sendai) –University of Tokyo Potential Host Labs

You will be able to… increase understanding of how to conduct a research project increase awareness of what graduate school is like increase confidence in research skills

Eligibility Currently enrolled as a degree-seeking undergraduate student at a US institution of higher education US student or permanent resident Currently in the spring semester of your freshman or sophomore year In good academic standing and not currently on probation or under any disciplinary action at your home university Able to express a demonstrated interest in the field of nanotechnology as it relates to nanoscale semiconductor devices, nanophotonics, and carbon nanotubes

Application Process Online Application Resume Unofficial Transcript Recommendation Letters (2) Due January 28; all letters of recommendation must be received by February 2

Have a strong and well-defined interest in nanoscale science and research as it relates to THz dynamics of nanostructures, though no prior research experience is required; Have a strong and well-defined interest in pursuit of future graduate study in a field related to nanoscale science and research; Have a strong and well-defined interest in international research, particularly in Japan, and a desire to develop the skills necessary to become a globally-competent scientist or engineer; Have a strong and well-defined interest in Japan, though no prior Japanese language or culture study is required. Selection Criteria

January 28, 2011 –Online Application Due –Why Japan essay –Why TeraNano essay –Alumni Follow-on Project February 2, 2011 –Recommendation Letters Due –One must be from a professor/advisor at your home university –If you have previously done research one must be from your research advisor Application Process Late February –Notification of Finalists Early February –Finalist Interviews (In-Person or Phone) Mid-March –Participants Selected Early April –Research Internship Placements Confirmed Apply Online:

Life in Japan