< Back Industry Partners We have successfully partnered with industry to support innovations in technology, data, and education. Apply We prioritize building and nurturing relationships with our corporate partners as a means to leverage our knowledge and expertise for the benefit of all parties involved. We actively seek out opportunities to collaborate with our partners and translate our findings into real-world solutions, driving innovation and progress in our respective fields. If you would like to propose an innovation or entrepreneurial partnership, please contact us.

< Back Multiverse Concert Series What is a polymer? Why do tires and artificial joints wear out, and how can we prevent that? What would polymers “sound like” if they were music? These and other questions are addressed in the musical concert/scientific exposition entitled “ Art of Polymers ,” We encourage you to engage with us as we explore polymer chemistry's past, present, and (most importantly) future. Watch our show (an excerpted musical piece is provided below), share it with those you know, and/or if you are interested in setting up a watch party and inviting a MONET researcher to attend for Q&A, send an email to monet-cci at duke dot edu! We look forward to hearing from you! Our goal is to convey the following messages: Polymer properties positively impact the quality of life Big challenges in polymer chemistry include enhanced lifetime and mechanical performance Advancements that address those challenges must consider global sustainability Specific technical accomplishments of MONET Science and art depend on the synergistic interplay of creativity and mode of execution Chemists come from everywhere and play many different roles in scientific research Apply We strategically partner to: Create new content in high-value tailored outreach experiences Assess these activities and use that knowledge to identify Refine components that especially effective. Expand the reach and impact of our creations by deploying them in public outreach events across the country. Through this framework, we aim to reach non-specialist audiences of all ages, interests, and backgrounds. To propose an outreach partnership, please contact us here .

< Back Outreach Partners Apply

< Back Outreach Kits Empowering Science Communicators, Expanding Scientific Horizons Problem Traditional science outreach often fails to effectively engage diverse audiences due to: Limited geographical reach and resource constraints ( Woitowich et al. , 2022 ) Disconnect between complex concepts and everyday experiences ( Shah, Glatter, & Madad, 2022 ) Lack of sustained engagement mechanisms ( Menezes et al. , 2022 ) Insufficient assessment of learning outcomes ( Phillips et al ., 2018 ) Solution MONET's innovative outreach program addresses these challenges through: Scalable Research-Focused Outreach Kits (e.g., Mechanophores Kit, Materials Science of Soccer) that transform complex polymer concepts into engaging hands-on activities Strategic partnerships with Science Olympiad, ACS Kids Zone, and local institutions to expand reach and enhance sustainability Integration with SPDE framework, enabling graduate students to develop and refine outreach materials while gaining valuable science communication experience Measures & Outcomes The program's impact is demonstrated through comprehensive metrics: Scale: Reached 9,473 participants across 26 events in diverse settings during 2024 Engagement: 80% of participants reported increased interest in science through post-event surveys Geographic Impact: Successfully deployed at 14 locations nationwide through a distributed kit model Educational Value: Pre/post assessments show significant gains in polymer science understanding, with powerful results in hands-on learning activities Recognition: Received ACS recognition for an innovative approach to science outreach Through this comprehensive approach, MONET has created a sustainable, scalable model for science outreach that effectively bridges the gap between cutting-edge research and public understanding while providing valuable professional development opportunities for the next generation of scientists. Available Outreach Kits Each kit contains editable resources, a guided activity, materials for conducting the activity, and a mechanism for assessment and feedback. Click here to request a free Outreach Kit including instructions and manipulatives. Apply We strategically partner to: Create new content in high-value tailored outreach experiences Assess these activities and use that knowledge to identify Refine especially effective components. Expand the reach and impact of our creations by deploying them in public outreach events across the country. Through this framework, we aim to reach non-specialist audiences of all ages, interests, and backgrounds. To propose an outreach partnership, please contact us here .

< Back Graduate Research Opportunities Develop cutting-edge skills, contribute to groundbreaking publications, and launch your career in an NSF-funded Center for Chemical Innovation. With 45% of our alumni pursuing advanced STEM degrees and 40% securing industry positions, MONET offers endless possibilities in polymer science and beyond. Innovative Research Opportunities MONET's Graduate Research Program offers unparalleled opportunities to work on cutting-edge polymer science projects across multiple disciplines: Chemistry Engineering Data Science Environmental Science Materials Science Our research spans four key areas: Nanotechnology for human health and agriculture Silicon-based polymers Dynamic networks and loop equilibria Mechanochemistry in hydrogels Collaborative Environment Join a diverse team of researchers across top U.S. institutions, including: University of California - San Diego, Johns Hopkins University, Northwestern University, Duke University, MIT, Columbia University, University of Washington, University of Michigan, University of Illinois, and Morehouse College. Career Development As a MONET graduate researcher, you'll benefit from: Mentorship from leading experts in the field Opportunities to present at national conferences Co-authorship on high-impact publications Networking with industry partners "MONET provided me with the resources and mentorship to take my research to the next level, opening doors I never thought possible." - MONET Alumnus Impactful Outcomes Our program has a strong track record of success: 45% of alumni pursue advanced STEM degrees 40% secure industry positions at companies like Meta and Hoya Vision Care 15% enter government research positions or entrepreneurship Commitment to Diversity MONET is dedicated to broadening participation in STEM: 43.7% overall URM representation, surpassing our 31.8% goal 57.1% URM representation among faculty Partnerships with Minority Serving Institutions like Morehouse College "MONET's diverse research environment fostered innovative thinking and collaborative problem-solving that accelerated my scientific growth." - MONET Alumna Professional Development Enhance your skills beyond the lab: Scientific writing workshops Grant writing seminars Leadership development programs Industry networking events Eligibility: Completed bachelor's degree in a STEM field Accepted into a doctoral program at a MONET-affiliated university Passion for polymer science and collaborative research Commitment to diversity and inclusion in STEM How to Apply: Review MONET's research areas and affiliated universities on our website: https://www.monetcci.org/overview Contact a Senior Investigator whose research aligns with your interests: https://www.monetcci.org/our-team Email monet-cci@duke.edu with: Your CV A brief statement of research interests (500 words max) Name of the MONET Senior Investigator you're interested in working with Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Early application is encouraged for full consideration. Apply MONET is committed to diversifying all STEM fields by broadening participation in underrepresented groups. We are always looking for new, broadening participation partners. To propose a broadening participation partnership, please contact us here .

MONET NEWS Enter your contact information to subscribe to our (roughly monthly) newsletter: Email address Subscribe Thanks for subscribing! You can opt-out easily at any time. All Posts Announcements Awards New MONET Publications News & Media Events Thesis Defense Log in / Sign up Jul 21 1 min NEW MONET PUBLICATIONS New MONET Publication in ChemComm 4 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Jul 16 1 min THESIS DEFENSE Yunyan Sun Thesis Defense 7 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Jun 26 1 min NEW MONET PUBLICATIONS New MONET Publication in Science 2 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Jun 12 1 min NEW MONET PUBLICATIONS New MONET Publication in Chem 0 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Jun 12 1 min AWARDS RSC 2024 Materials Chemistry Horizon Prize 14 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked May 31 1 min ANNOUNCEMENTS New Trainees Join Year 4 Leadership Team 3 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked May 31 1 min ANNOUNCEMENTS Welcome Summer Undergraduate Researchers 1 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked May 31 1 min NEW MONET PUBLICATIONS New MONET Publication in Materials Today Chemistry 0 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked May 17 1 min EVENTS Year 3 Meeting - New Orleans 3 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked May 14 1 min NEW MONET PUBLICATIONS New MONET Publication in Science Advances 0 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked May 9 1 min AWARDS Kelsie Wentz named PMSE Future Faculty Scholar 0 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked May 9 1 min NEW MONET PUBLICATIONS New MONET Publication in Nature Communications 0 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Learn more PUBLICATIONS

Thu, Jul 11 | Zoom Monthly URE Meeting These meetings are for Undergraduate Researchers of MONET's URE Program. They provide a space to share updates, network with other undergraduate students in MONET, share evaluation and feedback to improve the program, and request resources: workshops, courses, webinars to develop professionally. Registration is closed See other events Time & Location Jul 11, 2024, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM CDT Zoom Guests + 1 other guests About the event Each meeting is on the Wednesday following our center-wide meeting and has a different focus: June - Getting Acquainted with Research & Onboarding July - Conducting & Disseminating Research August - Navigating STEM Careers & Offboarding Show More This event has a group. You’re welcome to join the group once you register for the event. Share this event

Search Our Site Events (9) Blog Posts (98) 9 items found for "" Sort By: Best Match Monthly URE Meeting August 14, 2024 | 6:30 PM Monthly URE Meeting July 11, 2024 | 6:30 PM Monthly URE Meeting June 12, 2024 | 6:30 PM MONET Monthly Meeting September 11, 2023 | 6:00 PM MONET REU Scholars Twitter Conference August 17, 2023 | 7:00 PM Monthly Meeting for the Distributed REU Program August 18, 2023 | 7:00 PM Monthly Meeting for the Distributed REU Program July 14, 2023 | 7:00 PM Monthly Meeting for the Distributed REU Program June 30, 2023 | 7:00 PM Monthly Meeting for the Distributed REU Program May 5, 2023 | 7:00 PM