CAREER: Sustainable Urine Processes through integration of Education and Research (SUPER)

1150790-Boyer尿液分离和处理有可能从根本上改变废水管理，从而回收水，营养物质和能量，并隔离有毒污染物。 尽管尿液分离和处理具有潜力，但由于缺乏在污染物去除方面有效、实际实施和社会可接受的工程策略，因此尚未广泛实施。因此，本项目的研究目标是产生尿液中物理化学过程的新知识，以实现可持续的尿液分离，处理和资源回收。中心研究假设是离子交换是一种稳健的、选择性的和可扩展的过程，因此可以用作尿液处理的基础策略。该项目的教育目标是产生兴奋和更好地了解废水管理？这个话题在很大程度上被社会低估了，因为？恶？因子中心教育假设是，水资源保护和视觉标志性符号可以用来增加欣赏，提高理解，并促进与废水管理相关的STEM概念的学习。研究和教育目标将通过追求四个具体目标来实现：（1）确定尿液中实现最大限度和选择性回收营养物质的离子交换过程;（2）从去除效率和毒性两方面量化离子交换去除尿液中药物的功效;（3）确定用于从源头分离的尿液中回收营养物质和去除药物的治疗策略的生命周期影响;以及（4）评估创新的学习方法，以产生兴奋和提高对废水管理的理解。该方法将通过实验室实验系统地评估尿液中离子交换过程的动力学、热力学和毒性;制定一个数学模型，将微型离子交换与大型反应器工程结合起来;对尿液处理进行生命周期影响评估;与佛罗里达公园管理局制定一个教育试点计划;与中学科学教师合作;并指导本科生和研究生进行研究。 这项拟议的研究预计将产生尿液中物理化学过程的新知识，并确定离子交换策略，以恢复营养物质，降低毒性，并导致可持续的生命周期。该项目将与UF中心建立新的合作伙伴关系，用于大学前教育和培训（CPET）。CPET的合作伙伴关系将促进教学，培训和学习，通过本科生和研究生举办研讨会的中学科学教师谁将把他们的新知识带回给他们的学生。教育活动预计将影响儿童，学生和成人，从而产生兴奋和废水管理的新认识。

1150790-BoyerUrine separation and treatment has the potential to radically transform wastewater management whereby water, nutrients, and energy are recovered and toxic contaminants are sequestered. Despite the potential of urine separation and treatment, it has not been widely implemented because of an absence of engineering strategies that are efficient in contaminant removal, practical to implement, and acceptable to society. Accordingly, the research objective of this project is to generate new knowledge of physicochemical processes in urine to achieve sustainable urine separation, treatment, and resource recovery. The central research hypothesis is that ion exchange is a robust, selective, and scalable process, and as such, can be used as a foundational strategy for urine treatment. The education objective of this project is to generate excitement and better understanding of wastewater management ? a topic that is largely underappreciated by society due to the ?ick? factor. The central education hypotheses are that water conservation and visual iconic symbols can be used to increase appreciation, improve understanding, and facilitate learning of STEM concepts related to wastewater management. The research and education objectives will be accomplished by pursuing four specific aims: (1) identify ion exchange processes in urine that achieve maximum and selective recovery of nutrients; (2) quantify the efficacy of ion exchange removal of pharmaceuticals from urine in terms of both removal efficiency and toxicity; (3) identify the life cycle impacts of treatment strategies used to recover nutrients and remove pharmaceuticals from source-separated urine; and (4) evaluate innovative learning approaches for generating excitement and improving understanding of wastewater management. The approach will be to systematically evaluate the kinetics, thermodynamics, and toxicity of ion exchange processes in urine through laboratory experiments; formulate a mathematical model that couples microscale ion exchange with macroscale reactor engineering; conduct life cycle impact assessment of urine treatment; develop an educational pilot program with the Florida Park Service; work with middle school science teachers; and mentor undergraduates and graduates in research. The proposed research is expected to generate new knowledge of physicochemical processes in urine and identify ion exchange strategies that recover nutrients, decrease toxicity, and lead to a sustainable life cycle. The project will establish a new partnership with the UF Center for Precollegiate Education and Training (CPET). The CPET partnership will promote teaching, training, and learning through undergraduate and graduate students hosting workshops for middle school science teachers who will bring their new knowledge back to their students. The educational activities are expected to impact children, students, and adults thereby generating excitement and new understanding of wastewater management.