The University of New Orleans (UNO) has sponsored a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site since the summer of 2003. The area of focus is materials science and nanotechnology.  The REU Site is affiliated with the interdisciplinary Advanced Materials Research Institute (AMRI) at UNO.  Typically, eight students are recruited every year for a ten-week summer research experience.  Recruitment efforts focus on undergraduates from historically black colleges and universities in the New Orleans area.  The REU Site involves faculty mentors from AMRI and from the Departments of Chemistry, Physics, Biological Sciences, Psychology, and Mechanical Engineering.  Undergraduate students participate in research projects within the areas of synthesis, characterization and application of nanoparticles and their composites and assemblies.  The student participants also attend scientific and professional development seminars, a session on research ethics, and participate in field trips to local industrial and related sites and in organized social activities.