Whether you are majoring in Materials Science, Chemistry, Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering, or Physics opportunities in Energy related research are plentiful. In fact, energy is a primary focus of the National Academy of Engineering ‘s 14 priority grand challenges for the 21st century. Check out these summer opportunities related to energy research.
Northeastern University
REU-POWER “Pathways Opening World Energy Resources
This Summer REU-POWER site will provide rising sophomores, juniors and seniors with a 10-week summer-based experience working with professors from across the College of Engineering, engaged in research on topics pertaining to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Grand Energy Challenge, which represents one of the 14 priority Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st Century. Topics of research will cover broad ranges of research, including making Solar Energy more Economical to creating Energy from Fusion, and there will be a particular focus on transcending the barriers and overcoming the challenges to providing ample clean energy to citizens throughout the world.
Levels: Rising Sophomores, Juniors, and Non-Graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: February 28, 2019
Apply
Arizona State University
The QESST Engineering Research Center offers undergraduates the opportunity to participate in solar energy research. Through work on the pilot line, students will:
- Have access to state-of-the-art facilities and gain experience directly relevant to industry, giving them the opportunity to demonstrate the commercial impact and relevance of their
ideas by guiding them through the steps required to bring new ideas to commercialization; - Bridge the gap between the typical “research” devices and commercial solar cells, allowing fabrication and analysis of technologies on commercial-size devices and commercial equipment;
- Work in a facility that allows new equipment or processes to be analyzed and assessed jointly with industry. Students will play a key role in this process.
- Partner with a local student participating in the Fulton Schools’ Solar Energy Research program.
Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors & Non-Graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: March 1, 2019
Apply
University of Wisconsin – Madison
University of Wisconsin – Madison
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Departments of Chemistry and Chemical and Biological Engineering, through support from the National Science Foundation, host an annual Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program focused on The Chemistry of Materials for Renewable Energy. Selected participants will spend 10 weeks conducting research on a renewable energy project in chemistry, chemical engineering, or biological engineering.
Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Non-Graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Deadline to Apply: February 15, 2019
Apply
University of Houston
The Cullen College of Engineering (CCoE) at the University of Houston will host a Summer 2019 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program themed on “Materials for Sustainability in Energy and Manufacturing.” The program is designed to inspire bright and motivated undergraduates to pursue graduate education and careers in science and engineering research. Participants will work closely with leading materials scientists and engineers at CCoE and contribute to ongoing cutting-edge research in materials for sustainability in energy and manufacturing.
Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, & Non-graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Rolling Deadlines Apply Early
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens and Permanent Residents
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Rolling Deadlines Apply Early
Apply
SMART MATERIALS RESEARCH AT TULANE
The Summer MAterials Research @ Tulane (SMART) Research Experience for Undergraduates site is a multidisciplinary program across Tulane’s School of Science and Engineering, located in the heart of the Uptown neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana. Participating faculty are members of the departments of Biomedical Engineering, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Chemistry, and Physics and Engineering Physics. The scope of the summer research projects offered span a range of challenges in materials science and engineering focused on materials for Health, Energy, and Environmental applications.
Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors & Non-Graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: February 25, 2019
Apply
University of Washington
Clean Energy Research
Clean Energy Bridge to Research (CEBR) is a summer research program from the Clean Energy Institute (CEI) at the University of Washington (UW). The program is funded by the National Science Foundation and UW’s Undergraduate Research Program partners with CEI to run the program. CEBR supports a select group of undergraduates and community or tribal college students and teachers to participate in authentic research in solar, energy storage, and grid technologies under the mentorship of UW’s world-class faculty and grad students.
Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors & Non-Graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: February 15, 2019
Apply
Binghamton University
Join an interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers in 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.
Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors & Non-Graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: March 15, 2019
Apply
Boise State RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES IN MATERIALS FOR SOCIETY
Materials science is the enabling technology behind everything from modern electronics to fashion, safe and recyclable packaging, faster and fuel-efficient vehicles, novel energy generation and storage, aerospace propulsion systems, affordable housing, medical engineering, sensors, nanotechnology, and micromachines. One of the most exciting directions in science and policy-making is sustainability, with its emphasis on energy conservation, storage, and renewable productionThe objective of this Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at Boise State University is to provide an intensive research-team experience with state-of-the-art facilities while exploring activities within the theme materials for society. Mentors from various disciplines work with students to develop skills needed to excel in academic and industrial research environments, where interdisciplinary teams are standard. Students ultimately present their results at the annual summer research conference.
Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, & Non-Graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: February 15, 2019
Apply
University of Washington
The University of Washington (UW) Molecular Engineering Materials Center (MEM·C) coordinates research efforts among two colleges and five departments across UW’s campus and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to address major trans-disciplinary challenges in materials research.
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, collect data and finally produce a poster and research abstract. Students participate in a weekly seminar on undergraduate research covering research ethics, writing a research abstract, making a scientific poster. Students participate in a weekly Materials Science special interest group in which they read scientific journals or tour other labs. Explore question such as how can materials research lead to new electronics that are super miniaturized, low energy consumption and reliable? How can new kinds of sensors be used to improve safety, efficiency, and effectiveness?
Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, & Non-Graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: February 16, 2019
Apply
