NSF IRES: Engineering Sustainable Biological Solutions for Clean Energy and Water in Costa Rica

该项目将通过为期两周的海外学习课程、一个学期的实验设计指导以及在哥斯达黎加大学为期10周的沉浸式研究来培养美国本科生的工程研究能力。在哥斯达黎加这样依赖生态资源进行生态旅游和农业生产的国家，保护水质至关重要。在哥斯达黎加，许多废物，如食物和动物废物，可以通过厌氧消化转化为能量；然而，目前的做法产生的废水对环境产生不利影响，并可能污染粮食作物。学生们将使用一种新型系统，包括太阳能辅助厌氧消化器和人工处理湿地，研究和开发综合的生态意识系统，用于哥斯达黎加的可持续能源生产和水回收。该项目的最终目标是培养12名研究、开发和设计方面的学生，同时增加在可持续生物系统方面受过全球培训的工程师队伍，以生产清洁能源和水。学生的研究将优化和开发集成的沼气池和湿地处理系统，用于可持续能源的产生和水的回收。拟议的项目将推进厌氧消化和湿地处理过程的基本过程的知识，对工程生物系统的未来发展至关重要。研究活动将集中在一种新的系统上，这种系统有可能将工程方法转变为分散的废水处理和能源生产。该系统集成了太阳能加热、嗜热消化和四种类型的人工湿地，用于处理食物和粪肥混合废物。学生将与具有各种专业知识的教师一起工作，包括农业工程、生物工程、微生物学和化学。拟议的项目将促进发现，同时促进12名参与者以及参加相关海外留学课程的美国和哥斯达黎加学生的培训和学习，每年约有15名学生。

This program will train U.S. undergraduate students in engineering research through a 2-week study abroad course, a semester of mentoring in experimental design, and a 10-week research immersion at the University of Costa Rica. Protection of water quality is essential in countries like Costa Rica that rely on ecological resources for ecotourism and agricultural production. Many wastes, such as food and animal wastes, in Costa Rica can be converted into energy through anaerobic digestion; however, current practices yield wastewater that adversely affects the environment and potentially contaminates food crops. Using a novel system that includes a solar-assisted anaerobic digester and constructed treatment wetlands, students will research and develop integrated, ecologically-conscious systems for sustainable energy generation and water reclamation in Costa Rica. Ultimately, the goal of the project is to train 12 students in research, development, and design while increasing the workforce of globally-trained engineers in sustainable biological systems to produce clean energy and water. Student research will optimize and develop integrated biodigester and wetland treatment systems for sustainable energy generation and water reclamation. The proposed project will advance knowledge of fundamental processes underlying anaerobic digestion and wetland treatment processes, crucially benefiting the future development of engineered biological systems. Research activities will focus on a novel system that has the potential to transform engineering approaches to decentralized wastewater treatment and energy generation. This system integrates solar heating, thermophilic digestion, and four types of constructed wetlands for treatment of combined food and manure wastes. Students will work with faculty with a variety of expertise, including agricultural engineering, biological engineering, microbiology, and chemistry. The proposed program will advance discovery while promoting training and learning for the 12 participants as well as the U.S. and Costa Rican students participating in the associated study abroad course, approximately 15 students per year.