Project Grant 2244539

This three-year, $495,442 National Science Foundation project grant funds the Research Experience for Undergraduates Site in Physics at Kansas State University. The site engages 12 students annually in research projects involving the interaction of laser light with matter at the atomic and nanoscale, investigations of neutrinos and elementary particle collisions, and physics education research. Students conduct research on topics such as how atoms and molecules behave in intense optical and x-ray pulses, using high-performance computation to predict molecular properties and dynamics, the properties of nanoparticles in solution, and protein self-assembly with simplified models. They also help build next-generation hardware for high-energy particle detection, improve measurements of neutrino oscillations, and help faculty use research-based assessment tools. This hands-on research experience is supplemented by lectures providing necessary background. Participants gain experience explaining their work and networking with colleagues. The award supports the NSF's Mathematical and Physical Sciences program to strengthen the nation's scientific enterprise through increasing fundamental scientific knowledge and understanding of major challenges.