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NSF Press Release

 


NSF PR 04-095 - July 27, 2004

Media contact: Bill Noxon, NSF  (703) 292-7750 wnoxon@nsf.gov
Program contact: Susan Parris, NSF  (703) 292-7225 sparris@nsf.gov




NSF Names 34 International Research Fellows
Awards honor promising early career U.S. scientists and engineers

  Image of a dye sensitized solar cell
Dye-sensitized solar cell. Nanoparticles of titanium dioxide are coated with a dye that absorbs a wide range of light waves from the sun. Then they are applied to a conducting glass electrode immersed in an electrolyte solution containing iodine molecules and a second (platinum) electrode. The cells generate electricity when the energy captured by the dye excites an electron in the dye molecule. The electron is injected into a titanium dioxide particle and diffuses toward the glass electrode; from there, a wire carries it to the external circuit. The circuit closes when electrons return to the platinum electrode and attach to iodine molecules, which diffuse across the electrolyte, returning to and regenerating the dye. Alexander Agrios, 2004 IRFP fellow, will work with solar-cell pioneer Michael Grätzel in Switzerland to fabricate a new generation of dye-sensitized solar cells aimed at lowering the cost of solar energy.
Credit: Alex Agrios, Northwestern University
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ARLINGTON, Va.— What do solar cells based on dye-sensitized nanoparticles, disaster preparedness and response in Central Mexico, and the long-wattled umbrellabird all have in common?

All are among the diverse research topics 34 new recipients of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) International Research Fellowships for 2004 have chosen to study. Awarded to promising and talented American postdoctoral scientists and engineers, the fellowships enable budding researchers to conduct leading-edge research for up to two years in biology, physics, engineering, geosciences, computer science, and social and behavioral sciences. The work is done with international collaboration, use of overseas instrumentation or through unique research environments available abroad.

Each year, NSF awards approximately 35 of these highly competitive international fellowships that often lead to multinational collaborations.

“Discovery is a global enterprise,” says NSF’s acting director, Arden L. Bement, Jr. “For the U.S. to remain in the forefront of world science and technology (S&T;), it needs scientists and engineers from all disciplines who can operate and lead international teams and track international discoveries in some of the most challenging research arenas. These fellows, and those who have preceded them, are helping ensure that America continues to be the world’s S&T; leader.”

This year’s International Research Fellowship awardees come from more than 20 states and 25 universities. Their overseas host institutions include universities and research centers in Europe, South America and Australia.

The average award for each fellow in 2004 is about $100,000, which enables these young scientists and engineers, with no more than three years experience after earning their doctoral degree, to spend from three to 24 months at foreign host institutions.


-NSF-


For more information see:
List of 2004 IRFP awardees, research topics and host institutions: http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/int/irfp_2004.htm
General IRFP information: http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/int/int_postdocs.htm#postirfp


The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering, with an annual budget of nearly $5.58 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 40,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes about 11,000 new funding awards. The NSF also awards over $200 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

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