A Consolidated Chemical Engineering Laboratory with a Focus on Bioenergy

该项目正在开发一个新的单元操作实验室，重点是用于华盛顿大学本科化学工程课程的生物能源。 这是通过开发实验室设施和基于生物丁醇生产的完整周期的实验模块来实现的。 正在开发的实验室模块涉及发酵、水循环分离、溶剂纯化、排放控制和热交换等主题。 该实验室也是生物燃料生产新课程的中心。 实验室和课程都利用现代化的教学方法，包括基于团队的学习和基于项目的学习。 该项目包括严格的形成性和总结性评价计划，由一名经验丰富的独立评价员协调质量和数量两个组成部分。 评估计划包括对波多黎各马亚圭斯大学（UPRM）教授的传统化学工程课程和华盛顿大学关于学生学习的新课程进行比较。 这项研究的结果是告知如何实验室可以最好地融入在UPRM的课程，并与来自代表性不足的群体的学生使用。 该项目的成果正在通过会议和期刊出版物以及NSF赞助的国家STEM分布式学习教育资源数据库进行传播。

This project is developing a new unit operations laboratory with an emphasis on bioenergy for use in the undergraduate chemical engineering curriculum at the University of Washington. This is being accomplished by developing laboratory facilities and experimental modules based on the complete cycle of bio-butanol production. The laboratory modules being developed address topics in fermentation, separation for water recycling, solvent purification, control of emissions, and heat exchange. The laboratory is also the central focus of a new course in bio-fuel production. The laboratory and the course are utilizing modern pedagogies including team based learning and project based learning. The project includes rigorous formative and summative evaluation plans with both qualitative and quantitative components coordinated by an experienced independent evaluator. The evaluation plan includes a comparison between a traditional chemical engineering course taught at the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez (UPRM) and the new course at the University of Washington on student learning. The results of this study are informing how the laboratory can be best integrated into the curriculum at UPRM and be used with students from underrepresented groups. The projects results are being disseminated through conferences and journal publications and the NSF sponsored National STEM Distributed Learning education resource database.