The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $349,998 Project Grant under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (CFDA 47.049) federal grant program to the Cal State LA University Auxiliary Services Inc. (UAS). This 3-year grant, effective September 1, 2024, supports the Partnership for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) Center for Bioinspired and Architectured Materials (CBAM) at Cal State LA, in collaboration with the UC Irvine Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC).
The PREM CBAM initiative aims to advance research in bioinspired and architected materials systems for energy, biomedical, and environmental applications, while broadening participation of underrepresented minority students in STEM fields. Key research thrusts include bioinspired active materials and interfaces, as well as architectured and hybrid materials systems. The project combines the strengths and resources of Cal State LA and UC Irvine to develop a diverse STEM workforce equipped to tackle emerging technical challenges requiring advanced materials solutions. Collaborative research experiences, near-peer mentoring, workshops, and other educational initiatives are designed to cultivate students' STEM identity, motivation, and career preparation.