Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) in Renewable Energy Generation and Storage

Join an interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers in our new state of the art facilities at Binghamton University for a hands on summer research and professional development experience. This NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program in Renewable Energy Generation and Storage will address important scientific, technological, and training needs in the energy sector with research opportunities ranging from battery and supercapacitor materials to photovoltaics and energy efficient systems.

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Program Overview

Departments involved

Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Science and Industrial Engineering.

Support for REU students:

• $6000 stipend
• Housing in dormitories, if needed
• Travel subsidy to and from Binghamton, up to $500

How to Apply

1. Download and complete the application form. 2020 application form will be available late 2019.
2. Prepare a one-page resume in pdf format showing work and/or research experience.
3. Email the application form and resume to: energyreu@binghamton.edu
4. Ask two professors to email recommendations to: energyreu@binghamton.edu

Eligibility

Undergraduates from all areas of science and engineering are eligible for the program. Participants must be US citizens or permanent residents. Students who graduate prior to the summer are not eligible. The program welcomes the participation of students from small colleges and groups that are underrepresented in science and engineering, including women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities.

Important Dates:

• Application window: TBD
• Notification of acceptance: TBD
• Arrival in Binghamton: May 24, 2020
• First day of program: May 26, 2020
• Last day of program: Jul 31, 2020

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Research Activities

Students will work with a faculty mentor on a topic related to that faculty member’s research (see Research Areas section of the webpage for further details). Research will involve experimental or computational work using the extensive facilities at Binghamton University. New for 2020, students will also have opportunities to collaborate with and shadow energy industry partners at the Southern Tier Clean Energy Incubator. Students will receive additional training in safety, research ethics, and renewable energy. Career development workshops and social activities will be held each week.

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Research Areas

Students in the program will work for ten weeks on projects in one of two main research areas: energy generation and energy storage. These projects range from the development of advanced battery electrode materials and nanomaterials for supercapacitors, to thin films for mechanically-flexible solar cells. Students will work with Binghamton’s most distinguished energy researchers, a roster that includes Nobel Laureate Stan Whittingham. Further information about research topics and the involved faculty are provided below.

In addition to participating in research, students will benefit from professional development programs focused on science communication, careers in science and engineering, interviewing skills, and graduate school.

• ENERGY GENERATION

  	Jeffrey Mativetsky Organic solar cells; nanomaterials; nanoscale electrical properties www.mativetskylab.com
  	Sherry Towfighian Energy harvesting from mechanical vibrations; triboelectric generators
  	Tara Dhakal Earth-abundant solar absorbers; perovskites; buffer layers for thin film solar cells http://www.binghamton.edu/casp/
  	Roxana Margine Ab initio modeling; superconductivity; two-dimensional materials bingweb.binghamton.edu/~emargine/
  	Scott Schiffres Heat transfer http://www.ws.binghamton.edu/schiffres/
  	Julien Pantier Nano-ceramics for hybrid solar cells https://panetiergroup.weebly.com/

• ENERGY STORAGE

  	Stan Whittingham (Nobel Prize Winner) Lithium battery; intercalation reactions http://www.binghamton.edu/necces/
  	Louis Piper Li-ion batteries cathose; x-ray spectroscopy http://piperlab.binghamton.edu/
  	Sean Choi Bioenergy; biobatteries ws.binghamton.edu/choi/
  	Chuan-Jian Zhong Catalysis; fuel cells https://tinyurl.com/vn99of7
  	Manny Smeu Multivalent ion batteries; computational modeling https://sites.google.com/binghamton.edu/smeu
  	Ana Laura Elias Hydrogen evolution; 2D materials
  	Bill Bernier Supercapacitors
  	Puja Goyal Organic batteries, computational chemistry https://www.pgoyal-group.org/people/pi
  	Hao Liu Battery structure-function relationships https://tinyurl.com/vgaddob

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Participating Research Centers

• Advanced Catalysis for Energy Sustainability Center
• Binghamton Smart Energy Transdisciplinary Area of Excellence
• Center for Autonomous Solar Power
• Northeast Center for Chemical Energy Storage
• Southern Tier Clean Energy Incubator

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Other Activities

Binghamton’s summers are almost ideal for outdoor activities, including hiking in the university’s nature preserve. The university is very near the Finger Lakes region and within four hours of New York City and Philadelphia. Other organized student groups will be active in the summer at Binghamton, and the REU program will coordinate its student activities with them to offer additional opportunities for all students.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I apply after the deadline?
  Yes. However, applications received before the deadline will receive priority consideration.
• Students from which majors can apply?
  Students from all areas of science and engineering are encouraged to apply.
• Can freshmen or sophomores apply?
  Yes, freshmen and sophomores can apply, as long as introductory chemistry or physics has already been taken.
• Do I need to have prior research experience?
  No, prior research experience is not required to enter the program.
• Do I need to be a US citizen?
  You must be a US citizen or a permanent resident.

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Have Questions?

Direct all inquiries and application materials to: energyreu@binghamton.edu