Work in Progress: Virtual Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Nanotechnology (VREUN)

Frank T. Fisher; Hong Man

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Conference: 2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Vancouver, BC
Publication Date: June 26, 2011
Start Date: June 26, 2011
End Date: June 29, 2011
ISSN: 2153-5965
Conference Session: Computers in Education Poster Session
Tagged Division: Computers in Education
Page Count: 14
Page Numbers: 22.1709.1 - 22.1709.14
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--18424
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/18424
Download Count: 538

Paper Authors

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Frank T. Fisher Stevens Institute of Technology orcid.org/0000-0003-4476-5040

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Professor Frank Fisher is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and co-Director of the Nanotechnology Graduate Program (http://www.stevens.edu/nano) at Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, NJ). Dr. Fisher earned B.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh in 1995, Masters degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Learning Sciences (School of Education and Social Policy) from Northwestern University in 1998 and 2000, respectively, and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University in December 2002. His research has been funded by the NSF, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the U.S. Army. He has been awarded the National Science Foundation's CAREER award, the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Mechanics Division Ferdinand P. Beer and E. Russell Johnson, Jr. Outstanding New Educator Award, the 2009 Outstanding Teacher Award from the Stevens Alumni Association, and the 2006 Harvey N. Davis Distinguished Teaching Assistant Professor Award from Stevens.

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Hong Man Stevens Institute of Technology

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Dr. Hong Man joined the faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Stevens in January 2000. He received his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in December 1999. Dr. Man is currently an associate professor in the department of ECE. He is serving as the director of the undergraduate Computer Engineering program, and the director of the Visual Information Environment Laboratory at Stevens. His research interests have been in image and video processing, medical imaging, data analysis and pattern recognition. He has authored or co-authored more than 60 technical journal and conference papers on these topics. He is a senior member of IEEE and member of ASEE.

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Abstract

Work-in-Progress: Virtual Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Nanotechnology (VREUN)AbstractNanotechnology, the ability to leverage and exploit fundamental processes at the nanometerlength scale, suggests the potential for a technological revolution. To sustain and propagatetechnologies at the nanoscale, continued efforts toward understanding the fundamental principlesgoverning nano-science must be coupled with a focus on nano-engineering to span the multiplelength scales necessary to realize nanoscience pheneomena in real-world devices. The USNational Nanotechnology Initiative recognizes the importance of the preparation of a diverse andeducated workforce with the necessary training and background required to meet this challenge.To partially address this challenge, in development are Virtual Research Experiences forUndergraduates in Nanotechnology (VREUN) modules to introduce undergraduate students(focusing on the freshmen year) to concepts of nanotechnology in the context of active research.These self-contained multimedia learning modules are based on video documentation ofundergraduate researchers contributing to the nanotechnology research currently underway in ourlabs. Each module presents the undergraduate research project being documented, the nanoscalephenomena being investigated, key research questions raised and how they are being addressedin the lab, and how this understanding is necessary for ultimate commercialization of thetechnology.Distinguishing characteristics of these modules include the use of current faculty research as thecenterpiece for the educational materials, and the use of a multimedia format to enable anengaging and dynamic view of academic nanotechnology research accessible to all studentswithin the curriculum. While these modules will be deployed within a new first year“Engineering Experiences” course being offered at our school, ultimate deployment of these self-contained modules in other academic settings is envisioned. The goals of this effort include: 1)invigorating the first year engineering curriculum with dynamic and engaging real-worldexamples of cutting edge research in the area of nanotechnology; 2) introducing undergraduatesat the earliest stages to the enthusiasm, creativity, and excitement of the academic researchenvironment; and 3) developing a methodology and mechanism with which faculty can utilizemultimedia technology to further integrate their research and teaching efforts. The initialmodules under development will form the basis of a sustainable and scalable library of materialsdocumenting undergraduate nanotechnology research and readily available to all students. It ishoped that exposure to academic research at the earliest stages of the curriculum will broaden thepool of undergraduates who participate in such research, and to encourage these students to do soearlier in their studies.

Citation
Format

Fisher, F. T., & Man, H. (2011, June), Work in Progress: Virtual Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Nanotechnology (VREUN) Paper presented at 2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Vancouver, BC. 10.18260/1-2--18424

TY  - CPAPER
AB  -                Work-in-Progress: Virtual Research Experiences for                 Undergraduates in Nanotechnology (VREUN)AbstractNanotechnology, the ability to leverage and exploit fundamental processes at the nanometerlength scale, suggests the potential for a technological revolution. To sustain and propagatetechnologies at the nanoscale, continued efforts toward understanding the fundamental principlesgoverning nano-science must be coupled with a focus on nano-engineering to span the multiplelength scales necessary to realize nanoscience pheneomena in real-world devices. The USNational Nanotechnology Initiative recognizes the importance of the preparation of a diverse andeducated workforce with the necessary training and background required to meet this challenge.To partially address this challenge, in development are Virtual Research Experiences forUndergraduates in Nanotechnology (VREUN) modules to introduce undergraduate students(focusing on the freshmen year) to concepts of nanotechnology in the context of active research.These self-contained multimedia learning modules are based on video documentation ofundergraduate researchers contributing to the nanotechnology research currently underway in ourlabs. Each module presents the undergraduate research project being documented, the nanoscalephenomena being investigated, key research questions raised and how they are being addressedin the lab, and how this understanding is necessary for ultimate commercialization of thetechnology.Distinguishing characteristics of these modules include the use of current faculty research as thecenterpiece for the educational materials, and the use of a multimedia format to enable anengaging and dynamic view of academic nanotechnology research accessible to all studentswithin the curriculum. While these modules will be deployed within a new first year“Engineering Experiences” course being offered at our school, ultimate deployment of these self-contained modules in other academic settings is envisioned. The goals of this effort include: 1)invigorating the first year engineering curriculum with dynamic and engaging real-worldexamples of cutting edge research in the area of nanotechnology; 2) introducing undergraduatesat the earliest stages to the enthusiasm, creativity, and excitement of the academic researchenvironment; and 3) developing a methodology and mechanism with which faculty can utilizemultimedia technology to further integrate their research and teaching efforts. The initialmodules under development will form the basis of a sustainable and scalable library of materialsdocumenting undergraduate nanotechnology research and readily available to all students. It ishoped that exposure to academic research at the earliest stages of the curriculum will broaden thepool of undergraduates who participate in such research, and to encourage these students to do soearlier in their studies.
AU  - Frank T. Fisher
AU  - Hong Man
CY  - Vancouver, BC
DA  - 2011/06/26
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Work in Progress: Virtual Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Nanotechnology (VREUN)
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/18424
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--18424
ER  -