REU Site: Innovative Engineering Using Renewable Resources

本研究经验为本科生（REU）网站在亚拉巴马（UA）塔斯卡卢萨大学提供研究机会集中在创新工程与竹本科生从研究机会有限的机构和人口在工程中代表不足。竹子是一种可再生资源，在亚拉巴马作为一种农业作物引起了人们的注意，它在许多工程应用中发挥着重要作用。美国的竹子种植并不局限于亚拉巴马。它在农业和应用方面更为广泛。超过三分之一的美国人种植竹子作为经济作物。该项目打算利用这种作物，因为它是重要的，但不限于亚拉巴马。应用领域涉及全球可持续性问题。 它还具有导致有希望的应用的特性，并且可能是生长缓慢的木材的可行替代品。广泛的多学科研究项目将允许来自多个工程学科的本科生共同研究具有广泛社会影响的问题，这些问题围绕着可再生资源的使用，用于促进健康和可持续生活的各种工程应用。虽然项目主题将吸引学生参与多个学科，但主题是集中的，并允许学生集体研究令人兴奋的相关问题，以提高他们对可再生资源可持续性的整体知识，并学习如何推进商业目的的发现。这个为期10周的REU网站计划的具体目标包括：1）培训本科生解决具有广泛社会影响的问题; 2）发展技术和专业技能，提供更多的未来机会; 3）与UA的REU学生和参与教师导师建立联系; 4）提高学生对研究生学习的兴趣。 学生将在全国范围内招募使用专业联系人，如AL路易斯斯托克斯少数民族参与联盟，佛罗里达先进技术教育中心，和各种listserv/网站计划。

This Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site at the University of Alabama (UA) Tuscaloosa offers research opportunities centered on innovative engineering with bamboo to undergraduate students from institutions with limited research opportunities and from populations underrepresented in engineering. Bamboo is a renewable resource and has garnered attention in Alabama as an agricultural crop that can play an important part in numerous engineering applications. Bamboo cultivation in the U.S. is not limited to Alabama. It is much more widespread in terms of farming and applications. Over 1/3 of the U.S. grows bamboo as a commercial crop. The project intends to leverage this crop because it is important but not limited to Alabama. The application areas address global sustainability problems. It also has properties that lead to promising applications and may be a viable alternative to slower-growing timber. A wide spectrum of multidisciplinary research projects will allow undergraduate students from multiple engineering disciplines to work together on problems with broad societal impact centering around the use of a renewable resource for various engineering applications that promote healthful and sustainable living. While the project topics will engage students in multiple disciplines, the theme is focused and allows students to work collectively on exciting and relevant problems to advance their overall knowledge of renewable resources for sustainability as well as learn how to advance discovery for commercial purposes. The specific objectives of this 10-week REU Site program include: 1) training of undergraduates to work on problems with broad societal impact; 2) developing technical and professional skills offering increased future opportunities; 3) networking with fellow REU students at UA and participating faculty mentors; and 4) raising student interest in pursuing graduate studies. Students will be recruited nationwide using professional contacts, programs such as the AL Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation, the Florida Advanced Technological Education Center, and various listserv/websites.