REU Site: The Appalachian Chemistry Research Experience in Energy and the Environment

化学系颁发的这一奖项支持由阿巴拉契亚州立大学Nicole Bennett和Claudia Cartaya-Marin领导的本科生研究体验(REU)网站，从2010年开始，为期三个夏天。该网站将在为期十周的计划中，每年夏天为十名学生提供支持。大多数研究项目集中在与能源或环境相关的化学主题上。样本项目包括：(1)从可再生资源中非微生物生产燃料乙醇；(2)研究环境中人为内分泌干扰物的普遍性和浓度；(3)使用可回收催化剂合成生物柴油；(4)开发生产燃料的催化剂；(5)开发用于检测农药和化学战剂的传感器；(6)开发用于质子交换膜的新材料；(7)开发更容易回收的聚合物材料；以及(8)大气气溶胶对阿巴拉契亚山脉南部辐射强迫的研究。除了在暑期进行研究外，参加这个项目的学生还将参加一些职业发展活动，包括关于伦理、计划书撰写、研究生院准备和乐器专题的研讨会。作为培训的一部分，年轻科学家需要接触到现代研究方法和工具。这个REU网站旨在提供与能源和环境问题相关的化学问题的尖端研究培训。将主要从阿巴拉契亚农村地区招收学生，从而为大量原本可能无法接触到的学生提供研究机会。还将与服务于少数群体的区域机构发展招聘伙伴关系。参与该网站研究的不同学生群体将为进入研究生院并最终成为该国技术劳动力的一部分做好充分准备。

This award from the Division of Chemistry (CHE) supports a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site led by Nicole Bennett and Claudia Cartaya-Marin at Appalachian State University for three summers, commencing in 2010. The site will support ten students per summer in a ten week program. The majority of research projects focus on topics in chemistry of relevance to energy or the environment. Sample projects include: (1) the non-microbial production of fuel ethanol from renewable resources; (2) the study of the prevalence and concentration of anthropogenic endocrine disruptors in the environment; (3) the synthesis of biodiesel using recyclable catalysts; (4) the development of catalysts for the production of fuels (5) the development of sensors for the detection of pesticides and chemical warfare agents ; (6) the development of new materials for use in proton exchange membranes; (7) the development of more-easily recyclable polymer materials; and (8) the study of the radiative forcing in the southern Appalachians by atmospheric aerosols. In addition to conducting research during the summer, the students participating in this program will participate in a number of professional development activities, including workshops on ethics, proposal writing, graduate school preparation, and special topics in instrumentation. Young scientists need exposure to modern research methods and tools as part of their training. This REU site aims to provide cutting-edge research training in chemical problems of relevance to issues of energy and the environment. Students will be recruited primarily from rural Appalachia, thus providing opportunities for research to a significant number of students who might not otherwise be reached. Recruiting partnerships will also be developed with regional minority-serving institutions. The diverse student cohort participating in research at this site will be well-prepared for graduate school, and eventual employment as part of the country's technical workforce.