She also plans to develop a summer workshop for elementary-school teachers to illustrate how science and engineering may be linked to study and protect the environment. He is using lasers to study the surface chemistry of new phosphor materials. New phosphor materials with very small particle diameters have advantages over conventional materials, but their properties are also more sensitive to surface chemistry. The NSF grant also supports Tissue's instructional program. He is using computer technology and the Internet to integrate multimedia tutorials into the courses he teaches.
Students access the material to prepare for laboratory sessions and as refreshers or study aids.
Lu, who joined the university in 1992, received his doctorate from Harvard in applied physics and materials science. His primary research focus is in processing and characterization of electronic materials. With his NSF funding, he will develop experimental techniques for analyzing deformation and densification behavior of powdered materials as they are consolidated into solid forms. The research findings will be useful in the manufacturing of advanced structural and functional materials. Lu, who earlier this year won the College of Engineering Sporn Award for excellence in undergraduate teaching, also plans to use the NSF support to develop new courses, involve undergraduate students in laboratory research, and continuously improve his teaching skills.