REU Site: Program in Biorefining and Biofuels

可持续和可再生能源供应的发展是社会面临的最大挑战之一。生物燃料被广泛认为是新能源经济的关键组成部分。未来从生物质中生产燃料、化学品和产品将需要一系列复杂的综合化学转化步骤（“生物精炼”）。该REU现场计划让学生参与生物精炼中重要化合物的生产和转化的前沿研究。这个REU站点计划的另一个重点是跨学科和近距离的四个不同机构的整合。参与者与科罗拉多大学博尔德分校（CU）[中央（主办）机构]、科罗拉多州立大学（CSU）、科罗拉多矿业学院（Mines）和国家可再生能源实验室（NREL）的研究人员进行互动，为科学和工程职业提供了独特的机会。这些机构合作成立了科罗拉多生物精炼和生物燃料中心（C2B2）：一个致力于将生物质转化为燃料和其他产品的合作研究和教育合作机构。由于在这个充满活力的“虚拟中心”环境中进行互动，学生们在离开现场项目时，对大学、联邦政府和行业研究伙伴关系有了了解。此外，在夏季项目期间，来自不同学科的参与者必须合作寻找基于科学和工程的解决方案，以应对可再生能源技术面临的挑战。学生将获得跨学科研究和开发解决问题技术的第一手经验，并共同努力创造有意义的进步。该网站项目的主要目标是鼓励有前途的多元化学生，特别是女性、少数族裔和主要来自本科院校的学生，从事工程和科学研究方面的职业。今天的大学生被改变世界的动机所激励。该项目旨在吸引传统上在科学和工程领域代表性不足的人群的参与者，同时反映现代研究的跨学科和跨机构性质，特别是在可再生能源和可持续能源方面。本课程介绍科学调查和工程专业的参与者。它还鼓励参与者完成学士学位课程。攻读更高级的科学、数学和工程研究生教育。参与者获得科学和工程成熟，并更好地准备进入科学事业作为一个知识渊博的团队贡献者。预计许多参与者将利用这次培训成为下一个十年的学术和商业领袖。“该网站是由国防部与NSF REU项目合作资助的。”

The development of sustainable and renewable energy supplies represents one of society's greatest challenges. Biofuels are widely regarded a key component of a new energy economy. The future production of fuels, chemicals and products from biomass will require a complex series of integrated chemical conversion steps ('biorefining'). This REU Site Program engages students in cutting-edge research for the production and conversions compounds that are of importance in biorefining.An additional focus of this REU site program is integration, both across academic disciplines and across four different institutions in close proximity. Participant interaction with researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU) [central (host) institution], Colorado State University (CSU), Colorado School of Mines (Mines), and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) provides unique exposure to science and engineering careers. These institutions have partnered to form the Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels (C2B2): a cooperative research and educational collaboration devoted to the conversion of biomass to fuels and other products. As a result of interacting in this dynamic 'virtual center' environment, students exit the site program equipped with an understanding of university, federal, and industry research partnerships. Moreover, during the summer program participants from various disciplines must collaborate to find science- and engineering-based solutions to challenges faced by renewable energy technologies. Students gain first-hand experience in interdisciplinary research and development problem-solving techniques and work together to create meaningful progress.A principal objective of this site program is to encourage promising diverse students, particularly women, underrepresented minorities, and students from primarily undergraduate institutions, to pursue careers in engineering and science research. Today's undergraduate students are fueled by the motivation to make a difference in the world. This program is specifically designed to attract participants from populations traditionally underrepresented in science and engineering and simultaneously reflect the cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional nature of modern research, especially in renewable and sustainable energy. This program introduces participants to the professions of scientific investigation and engineering. It furthermore encourages participants to complete bachelor?s degrees in pursuit of more advanced science, math, and engineering graduate education. Participants gain scientific and engineering maturity and are better prepared to enter a scientific career as a knowledgeable team contributor. It is expected that many participants will utilize this training to become the academic and commercial leaders of the next decade."The site is co-funded by the Department of Defense in partnership with the NSF REU program."