The NUANCE Center was pleased to host six undergraduate students from across the United States on May 8, 2026, as part of the 2026 MICRO Summit. The students visited NUANCE for a facility tour led by Chris Sharpe and coordinated once again by Professor Cécile Chazot.

MICRO—the Materials Initiative for Comprehensive Research Opportunity—is an online research and education program for undergraduates who aspire to attend graduate school and pursue research careers in STEM, particularly in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE). Designed for students at institutions that do not offer an MSE major, the program aims to broaden participation in materials research and education. MICRO participants are paired with research groups at either Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Northwestern University, where they conduct research under the mentorship of graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and research scientists.

During their visit to NUANCE, students had the opportunity to explore advanced characterization and fabrication facilities, learn about ongoing interdisciplinary research, and gain insight into the tools and techniques used in nanoscale science and engineering. The visit also provided students with a closer look at the collaborative research environment that supports innovation across materials science, engineering, and nanotechnology.

A big thank you to Professor Cécile Chazot for organizing the visit and to Chris Sharpe for leading the tour and introducing students to the center’s facilities and capabilities.