Process and Activities

Professional Development Process

The professional development process within the HI-POWER program is designed to immerse undergraduate students in cutting-edge hydrogen energy research while building a strong foundation of technical and professional competencies. The program integrates mentorship, hands-on research, and collaborative learning to prepare students for future roles in clean energy and advanced materials fields. The five core components of the HI-POWER development framework include:

1. Research Training and Project Involvement: Students engage in individualized and team-based research projects focused on hydrogen-tolerant materials under mechanical and tribological loads, conducted at both national laboratories and university research facilities.

2. Cross-Sector Mentorship: Participants receive guidance from a diverse set of mentors, including faculty, graduate students, national lab scientists, and industry professionals, fostering both academic and real-world professional insights.

3. Professional Skill Development: Structured sessions are held on topics such as technical communication, scientific ethics, lab safety, and graduate school/career readiness to enhance students’ professional toolkit.

4. Integrated Learning Experiences: The program includes lab tours, technical workshops, and collaborative research discussions that expose students to experimental, computational, and synthesis methods central to clean energy research.

5. Capstone Presentation and Symposium: The program culminates in a formal presentation and poster session, where students share their research findings with peers, mentors, and stakeholders, receiving feedback and recognition for their work.

This integrated approach supports experiential learning and sustained development, aiming to cultivate a new generation of researchers and engineers equipped to advance clean hydrogen technologies. A process diagram typically illustrates the interconnection between these activities and their alignment with HI-POWER’s mission.

HI-POWER Representative Programmatic Efforts and Events

Activities and Major Events

Annual HI-POWER Symposium – August 1

The HI-POWER program offers two coordinated summer research experiences—at Ames National Laboratory (through DOE's SULI program) and the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering—aimed at engaging students in the advancement of hydrogen-tolerant materials for clean energy applications. Participants receive mentorship from university faculty, national lab scientists, and industry professionals in multidisciplinary, hands-on research projects.

Research Projects on Hydrogen-Tolerant Materials:
Students conduct individualized or collaborative research focused on mechanical and tribological testing, hydrogen-material interactions, alloy design, and computational modeling. These projects help build critical knowledge in materials science, mechanical engineering, chemistry, and related fields.

Cross-Institutional Mentorship and Industry Guidance:
Mentorship is provided by a diverse group of academic, industry, and national lab scientists. This tri-sector model supports both technical growth and career readiness through consistent mentor engagement, research feedback, and career pathway advising.

Professional Development Activities:
Students participate in structured development sessions, including:

• Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training with certification

• Technical communication and presentation workshops

• Career panels featuring experts from DOE national labs, academia, and clean energy industry

• Graduate school preparation and resume development sessions

• Peer and mentor-led discussions on diversity, inclusion, and workforce preparation in hydrogen energy fields

Lab Tours and Exposure to National Lab Infrastructure:
Participants benefit from tours of experimental and synthesis labs at both the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and Ames Laboratory. These experiences deepen understanding of applied hydrogen research in real-world lab environments.

Team-Building and Outreach Engagements:
Students engage in social and outreach events that promote collaboration and STEM awareness. Activities include group field trips, outreach to pre-college students, and participation in diversity-focused networking events.

Annual HI-POWER Symposium

The program concludes with a formal symposium where students present their research findings. The symposium includes:

• Oral presentations in a hybrid or in-person format to showcase technical results

• Poster session with visual abstracts, peer review, and Q&A with mentors

• Group reflection and feedback to promote professional growth and self-evaluation

• Program assessment with input from faculty mentors, National Lab partners, and DOE representatives

This structured set of events is designed to highlight student accomplishments, evaluate outcomes, and foster connections across institutions and professional communities.