Planning Grant: I/UCRC for Sustainable Use of Greenhouse Gases

计划中的温室气体可持续利用国际/国际合作研究中心打算开展研究，旨在推动当前的理论和技术，并成为可再生能源和可持续发展领域的科学联络点。工作将包括(A)新颖的可扩展植物和藻类系统以及合成生物仿生方法，以捕获二氧化碳和CH4并将其转化为甲醇、糖、脂肪酸和油，(B)可扩展发酵和生物混合催化方法，以将这些向上转化为高需求、高价值的工业化学品和燃料，(C)应用这些方法来捕获和转化来自分布式系统(例如大气)和浓缩系统(例如来自煤炭和天然气发电机的流感气流)的温室气体。通过计划中的中心？FS，通过有效地捕获温室气体并将其向上转化为有价值的化学品和燃料来满足工业需求，气候变化的主要威胁和潜在影响可能在可持续和有利可图的基础上得到部分改善。计划中的中心将发展和促进一个合作的、专注于温室气体可持续利用的科学社区，包括短期课程、跨部门和跨大学研究生课程提供，以及成员组织的实习机会。该中心将通过校园现有的各种计划以及新的计划，招募和培训代表性不足的群体(少数民族、妇女和残疾学生)。

The planned I/UCRC for the Sustainable Use of Greenhouse Gases intends to undertake research aimed at advancing current theory and technology, and to become a scientific focal point within the renewables and sustainability fields. Work will include (a) novel scalable plant and algae based systems and synthetic biomimicry approaches to capture and convert CO2 and CH4 into methanol, sugars, fatty acids, and oils, (b) scalable fermentation and biohybrid catalytic approaches to up-convert these into high demand, high value industrial chemicals and fuels, (c) application of these approaches to capture and convert greenhouse gases from distributed systems (e.g., the atmosphere) and concentrated systems (e.g., flu streams from coal and gas powered generators). Through the planned center?fs addressing of industrial needs through efficient capture and up-conversion of greenhouse gases to valuable chemicals and fuels, the major threats and potential impacts of climate change may be in part ameliorated on both a sustainable and profitable basis. The planned center will develop and promote a collaborative, focused scientific community on the sustainable use of greenhouse gases, including short courses, cross?]departmental and cross?]university graduate course offerings, and internships with member organizations. The Center will recruit and train underrepresented groups (minorities, women, and students with disabilities) through various existing programs on campus as well as new programs.