The University of Washington Molecular Engineering Materials Center (UW MEM-C) aims to accelerate the development of advanced energy conversion, information processing, and sensing technologies through design, discovery, processing, and application of complex electronic and photonic materials. MEM-C welcomes first-generation college students from the UW College of Engineering Pathways to Inclusive Excellence program and Washington State 2-year colleges, especially anyone who participates in the LSAMP and MESA programs, to apply to our Summer REU program. The Summer REU program is focused on providing STEM students with opportunities to gain exposure, experience and insight related to viable and relevant career pathways focused on materials and energy research.
Our Focus: Materials Resilience and Innovation
Undergraduates will find that the research topics are both challenging and relevant to their experience. How can we provide mobile, lightweight, and inexpensive energy sources to our communities? How can materials research lead to new electronics that are compact, energy-efficient, and reliable? How can new kinds of sensors be used to improve safety, efficiency, and effectiveness?
Program Details
If selected, you will be embedded in one of the MEM-C labs for 9 weeks. You will work with a graduate student and faculty to develop a research project, gain training in relevant techniques and instrumentation, and collect data, culminating in a poster summarizing your research results. REU students participate in a weekly seminar on undergraduate research covering topics such as research ethics, writing a research abstract, and making a scientific poster. Students will participate in a weekly materials science special interest group in which they read scientific journals and tour other labs.
- Duration: 9 weeks
- Dates: June 23 to August 22, 2025
- Stipend: $6,365
- Travel and Housing: On-campus housing and allowances for food and travel to campus
- Application Opens: 12/15/2024
- Application Deadline: 2/15/2025
Eligibility
The program is designed to open doors for those who would like to explore new career options. A solid math and science high school preparation will be sufficient. Work-based experience will also be factored in. UW MEM-C is funded as an NSF MRSEC and the MEM-C REU program is available to US citizens or permanent residents 18 years of age and older.
Note: This link will direct you to the NSF Education and Training Application (ETAP) system which is an external site.
