IGERT: Functional Nanomaterials for Sustainable Energy Solutions

这一综合性研究生教育和研究培训(IGERT)奖为南卡罗来纳大学哥伦比亚分校的博士生提供独特的培训和技能组合，以促进纳米材料的科学和工程，以实现可持续能源发电。学员正在跨学科研究团队中合作，以接受替代能源生产方面的技术教育，并获得技术商业化、企业家精神和科学交流方面的经验。智力优势：三个主要研究领域指导学员设计可应用于能源转换的材料，涉及：(1)将二氧化碳转化为液体燃料；(2)将生物质原料转化为液体燃料；(3)将太阳能改造为电力。学员参与以问题为基础的学习，并通过研究和课程工作使用案例研究来解决每个研究问题。在探索基本物理定律和研究领域的工程限制的同时，学生们正在参与和竞争一个新的校园创新计划。布罗德影响：这个项目？FS强调创业精神和强有力的技术培训，正在为学员在快速增长的可再生能源行业和现有的化石燃料基础设施中担任领导角色做准备。南卡罗来纳大学哥伦比亚分校的FS校园计划以及与北卡罗来纳农业和技术州立大学的合作伙伴关系，鼓励代表人数不足的群体参与这一项目。此外，受训人员正在与南卡罗来纳州州长FS科学和数学学校开展外联活动，为STEM高中生提供研究机会和指导。IGERT是一个NSF范围内的项目，旨在应对培养具有跨学科背景、所选学科的深厚知识以及满足未来职业需求所需的技术、专业和个人技能的美国博士科学家和工程师的挑战。该项目旨在建立新的研究生教育和培训模式，为超越传统学科界限的合作研究创造一个肥沃的环境，并让学生了解将研究转化为创新以造福社会的过程。

This Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) award provides Ph.D. students at the University of South Carolina at Columbia with the unique training and skill sets to advance the science and engineering of nanomaterials for sustainable energy generation. Trainees are collaborating in interdisciplinary research teams to receive a technical education in alternative energy production and to gain experience in technology commercialization, entrepreneurship and science communication.Intellectual Merit: Three main research areas direct trainees to design materials that can be applied to energy conversion involving: (1) transformation of carbon dioxide into liquid fuels; (2) conversion of biomass feedstock to liquid fuels; and (3) modifying solar energy into electricity. Trainees engage in problem--?]based learning and use case studies to address each research question through research and coursework. While exploring the basic underlying physical laws and engineering constraints for their research areas, students are participating and competing in a new campus innovation program.Broader Impacts: This project?fs emphasis on entrepreneurship and strong technical training is preparing trainees to take leadership roles within the fast growing renewable energy industries and existing fossil fuel infrastructure. The University of South Carolina at Columbia?fs campus programs and partnership with North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, encourage the participation of underrepresented groups in this project. Additionally, trainees are engaging in outreach activities with the South Carolina Governor?fs School for Science and Mathematics, to provide research opportunities and mentoring to STEM high school students. IGERT is an NSF--?]wide program intended to meet the challenges of educating U.S. Ph.D. scientists and engineers with the interdisciplinary background, deep knowledge in a chosen discipline, and the technical, professional, and personal skills needed for the career demands of the future. The program is intended to establish new models for graduate education and training in a fertile environment for collaborative research that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries, and to engage students in understanding the processes by which research is translated to innovations for societal benefit.