Powering the Kentucky Bioeconomy for a Sustainable Future

建议编号：IIA-1355438建议标题：为可持续未来的肯塔基州生物经济提供动力机构：肯塔基大学研究基金会非技术描述该项目寻求开发新的能源产生和储存技术，以及可用于环境修复的新膜。建议在先进生物启发膜技术、先进材料化学生物学和电化学储能领域开展三项相互关联的研究活动。研究活动将导致电池自我修复，比目前可用的电池成本更低，效率更高。这些可持续能源技术可以支持肯塔基州的制造业努力并创造就业机会。该项目开展研究和教育活动，以吸引广泛的受众。技术说明肯塔基州EPSCoR解决可持续能源和电力供应问题，这是一个具有全国重要性的主题，因为更多的关注将能源需求从不可再生资源(例如，煤炭)过渡到可再生资源。在该项目下的努力可以完全重新发明工程膜，使其成为选择性化学泵，并构建利用复杂生物分子能力的纳米结构。还讨论了生化木质化途径、木质素化学以及设计生物质原料和木质素直接转化加工方法的解构策略，重点是各种附加值和燃料产品。将探索能源的产生和储存，目标是减少环境足迹。还将探索新型生物电池材料的使用。该项目的重点是发明用于自修复电极的新材料系统，以及利用生物质资源创建高面积导电纳米结构。该项目将培训一支现代化的STEM劳动力。新的STEM项目、指导和研究机会将专门招收来自肯塔基州阿巴拉契亚地区的女性、第一代大学生、农村学生和低收入学生。其他举措包括学生研究实习、研讨会和在全州范围内创建维基合作实验室，以传播有关研究和教育活动和事件的信息。还将支持高中教师接受与可再生能源研究有关的STEM培训。学术研究和工业研究之间建立了重要的联系，从而增加了商业化和经济发展的机会。

AbstractProposal Number: IIA-1355438Proposal Title: Powering the Kentucky Bioeconomy for a Sustainable Future Institution: University of Kentucky Research FoundationNon-technical DescriptionThis project seeks to develop new technologies for energy generation and storage in addition to new membranes that can be used in environmental remediation. Three interlinked research activities are proposed in the areas of Advanced Bio-Inspired Membrane Technologies, Chemical Biology for Advanced Materials, and Electrochemical Energy Storage. Research activities will lead to batteries that are self- repairing, lower cost and more efficient than currently available. These sustainable energy technologies can support manufacturing efforts and create employment in Kentucky. This project develops research and education activities to engage a wide number of constituents.Technical DescriptionKentucky EPSCoR addresses sustainable energy and power provision, a topic of national importance as greater focus is placed on transitioning energy demand from non-renewable resources (for example, coal) to renewable resources. Efforts under this project could completely re-invent engineering membranes to be selective chemical pumps and construct nano-architectures that harness the capabilities of complex bio-molecules. Also examined are biochemical lignification pathways, lignin chemistry, and deconstruction strategies to engineer biomass feedstocks and processing methods for direct conversion of lignin, with a significant focus is on diverse value added and fuel products. Energy generation and storage will be explored with a goal of creating a decreased environmental footprint. The use of novel bio-based battery materials will also be explored. Efforts are focused on inventing new material systems for self-healing electrodes and creating high area conductive nanostructures from biomass resources.The project will train a modern STEM workforce. New STEM programs, mentoring, and research opportunities will specifically recruit females, first generation college students, rural students and low income students from the Appalachian regions of Kentucky. Other initiatives include student research internships, workshops and the creation of a statewide Wiki Collaboratory to disseminate information about research and education activities and events. High school teachers will also be supported to receive STEM training related to renewable energy research. Significant ties are developed between academic research and industrial research leading to increased commercialization and economic development opportunities.