Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)

The IDEA Incubator is an exciting program that seeks to nurture innovations in porous materials by ‘Integrating Discovery, Engineering and Art’ (IDEA). Students will participate in 'unseminars' designed to improve scientific communication to a wide range of audiences through art. Workshops will bridge engineering and art through a variety of forms such as print screening, drawings, storyboards, and more. These sessions will build student confidence and enhance their public speaking skills. The education component of this REU utilizes art as a tool to help students contextualize their research projects with a sense of scale. The research projects will all relate to porous media. See "Why Porous Media?" below to learn more.

Research projects will focus on nurturing innovations in porous materials, which are of interest to scientists and industry because of their wide-variety of biomedical and chemical applications. For example, porous materials are used as adsorbents and membranes for separation, as catalysts for chemical reactions, and as scaffolds for tissue engineering. 

With a plethora of applications and wide-range of types, this arena is ideal for tinkering—and ripe for discovery and innovation. A host of variables can be altered and tested, from the composition of the pores and supporting matrix to the number, size, shape, and arrangement of the pores. REU participants will explore, learn and grow as researchers within this framework.

Projects will focus on a range of porous materials, including nanopores (pores <100 nm), micropores (<2 nm), mesopores (2-50 nm), and macropores (>50 nm).  Students will learn about how the distribution of pore size, shape and volume relates to the material’s function in targeted applications, while also learning about transferable concepts, such as mass transfer, thermodynamics and kinetics.

See REU Research Areas to learn more about potential projects in porous media.

The goal of this program is to expose diverse students to an empowering learning and research experience that will cultivate innovative thinking, enhance communication skills, foster a solid understanding of size and scale, and to provide professional development opportunities to help prepare you for a career in science or engineering.

We aim for clearly defined projects with objectives and expectations that are achievable by undergraduates within 10-weeks. The projects are designed as an integrative system to ensure that students experience multiple aspects of design, synthesis, characterization and application. The collaborative nature of these projects will prepare students for doing research in both academic and professional settings in the future where collaboration is essential.  Students will work with faculty and graduate student mentors in an inclusive learning environment with state-of-the-art facilities at KU’s Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering.

Applications open November 2024

Priority deadline: February 21st, 2025

Summer 2025 program dates: May 27 – August 1

Projects are avaialable in the following general research areas.

• Catalysis, continuous pharmaceuticals manufacturing, & porous material characterization
• Characterization and simulation of gas reservoirs, nanoparticles, & fracturing
• Molecular engineering & interfacial nanomedicine
• Synthesis, properties and characterization of hydrogels, & biomimetic materials
• Electrocatalysis & scanning electrochemical microscopy
• Phase behavior, gas transport, hydrates, enhanced oil recovery, & shale gas
• Environmentally sustainable & economical food, energy, & water technologies
• Supercritical fluids and alternative solvents
• Advanced materials for sustainable separations & entrepreneurship
• Biomass conversion, reaction engineering, & hydrothermal liquefaction

Students will participate in scientific discussions, laboratory tours, boredom-busting ‘unseminars’, social mixers, team-building activities, and a research symposium. Storytelling practice, through print and digital media, will help students gain confidence and enhance their public speaking skills. Professional development workshops will help prepare students for both graduate school and industry. Our extensive partnerships with nine companies will also help students expand their network of contacts and learn about career opportunities.

• $6,000 summer stipend
• Travel allowance to and from Lawrence, Kansas (For out of state participants only)
• Summer housing on campus where public transportation is readily available
• Meal plan
• State-of-the-art labs
• Inclusive environment
• Industry contacts
• Safety training
• Team research
• Lab tours
• Professional development

Online application opens November 2024!

The application consists of general information, short-answer questions, a resume, unofficial transcripts, a personal essay, and a letter of recommendation.

Before you get started, consider the following items you will need to complete when filling your application form:

1. Short-answer questions - In your application form there will be open boxes to answer the following two questions:
   1. In 200 words or less - What role might art play in engineering and innovation
   2. In 200 words or less - What is it about this REU program that excites you?
2. Personal Essay -- This essay (500 word or less) should describe your career goals, post-graduation plans, and your motivation for pursuing research in chemical engineering. You may use your essay to indicate more information about your top preferences for “Research Interest Areas” and why you would be particularly interested in those
3. Upload resume - (1-2 page resume, PDF format)
4. Faculty reference letters -- You will arrange for the submission of at least one letter of recommendation from a faculty member at your current college/university acquainted with your laboratory work and coursework. Ask that they send the letter of recommendation directly via email to cpereu@ku.edu. One letter of recommendation is required. A second letter of recommendation is optional. The application form will ask to provide the name and email address(es) of the faculty member(s) that will provide the letter(s) of recommendation

Selection will be based on a variety of factors including current academic standing, letter of recommendation, short answer questions, and a personal essay. The essay and short answer questions are very important.  Use them to demonstrate how the program will benefit your education and future career.

Project matching will be based on both faculty and topic availability. We try to match students with the top research areas they express interest with on the application but cannot guarantee top pick.

Other admission requirements:

• USA citizenship or permanent residence status 
• GPA of 2.8 or better
• Freshmen - seniors with anticipated graduation date December 2025 or later
• Majors:  chemical engineering, petroleum engineering, and related fields (chemistry, biology, physics)
• No previous research experience is necessary

We strongly encourage students from minority serving institutions and community colleges to apply.  Women, minorities, and students with disabilities are also encouraged to apply. The University of Kansas is an equal opportunity institution, and our Academic Achievement and Access Center is dedicated to providing necessary services for individuals with special needs.