REU Site: Innovative Engineering Using Renewable Resources

阿拉巴马大学 (UA) 塔斯卡卢萨分校的本科生研究体验 (REU) 网站为来自研究机会有限的机构和工程领域代表性不足的人群的本科生提供以竹子创新工程为中心的研究机会。竹子是一种可再生资源，作为一种可以在众多工程应用中发挥重要作用的农作物，在阿拉巴马州引起了人们的关注。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。美国超过 1/3 的土地种植竹子作为经济作物。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。这些应用领域解决了全球可持续发展问题。 它还具有具有广阔应用前景的特性，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使来自多个工程学科的本科生能够共同解决具有广泛社会影响的问题，围绕可再生资源在各种工程应用中的使用，促进健康和可持续的生活。虽然项目主题将吸引多个学科的学生，但主题重点突出，允许学生共同解决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 Site 项目的具体目标包括：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，提供更多未来机会； 3) 与 UA 的 REU 同学和参与的教师导师建立联系； 4）提高学生攻读研究生的兴趣。 将利用专业联系人、AL Louis Stokes 少数民族参与联盟、佛罗里达州高级技术教育中心和各种列表服务/网站等项目在全国范围内招募学生。

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.