REU Site: Innovative Engineering Using Renewable Resources

阿拉巴马大学塔斯卡卢萨分校的本科生研究经验（REU）站点为来自研究机会有限的机构和工程领域代表性不足的群体的本科生提供以竹子为中心的创新工程研究机会。竹子是一种可再生资源，作为一种农业作物在阿拉巴马州引起了人们的注意，它可以在许多工程应用中发挥重要作用。美国的竹子种植不仅限于阿拉巴马州。它在农业和应用方面更为广泛。超过三分之一的美国人将竹子作为经济作物种植。该项目打算利用这种作物，因为它很重要，但不仅限于阿拉巴马州。应用领域解决全球可持续性问题。它还具有一些有前途的应用特性，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，这些问题的中心是将可再生资源用于促进健康和可持续生活的各种工程应用。虽然项目主题将涉及多个学科的学生，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发展的整体知识，并学习如何推进商业目的的发现。这个为期10周的REU现场项目的具体目标包括：1)培养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，为未来提供更多机会；3)与亚利桑那大学的REU同学和参与的教师导师建立联系；4)提高学生追求研究生学习的兴趣。学生将通过专业联系、AL Louis Stokes少数民族参与联盟、佛罗里达先进技术教育中心和各种listserv/网站等项目在全国范围内招募。

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.