Collaborative Research: REU Site: Solar and Alternative Technologies

本科生合作研究经验（REU）网站：太阳能和替代技术（SALT）将由塔尔萨大学主办，以鼓励本科生在替代能源技术方面继续深造。化石燃料的许多问题包括传统能源的枯竭、生产过程中的污染和水消耗以及燃烧过程中形成的温室气体。虽然正在发现新的矿物燃料来源，并正在开发更清洁的开采技术，但仍需要产生较少温室气体的矿物燃料替代品。REU研究项目的总体目标是提高对替代技术的认识和理解，同时减少对化石燃料的依赖，以生产能源，燃料，清洁水和/或材料。该REU支持来自研究机会很少的机构的学生的教育，特别是代表性不足的群体和第一代大学生。学生将积极从2-和4年的EPSCOR州阿肯色州，堪萨斯，密苏里州和俄克拉荷马州的区域机构招募，以及通过俄克拉荷马州路易斯斯托克斯少数民族参与联盟和美国印第安人科学与工程学会分会的国家网络。学生将在整个夏季研究期间接受指导，以鼓励他们继续研究生工作，以扩大他们在学术研究中的代表性。太阳能和替代技术研究经验本科生网站将让本科生参与为期10周的夏季研究项目，开发燃料，催化剂，电力，清洁水和可再生能源或使用可再生能源的塑料。这些项目包括海水淡化和微藻生物燃料、生物催化剂和纳米椭球体的生产。一半以上的项目侧重于太阳能，从生产硅的新方法，到流体流动模式对能源生产的影响，再到能源资源和需求的匹配，以创建满足当地能源需求的微电网。本科生将通过期刊文章和口头报告学习负责任的研究行为，环境道德，技术交流，并在社交媒体上发布有关研究。学生将给出两个进度报告和一个最终口头报告，并准备一个最终的书面正式报告，类似于期刊文章。图尔斯将参观当地的水电、太阳能、风能、地热和垃圾发电设施。REU的目标是鼓励代表性不足的群体通过指导他们进行本科研究来追求研究生学习。塔尔萨大学将与俄克拉荷马州州立大学合作，评估REU学生的体验。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估来支持。

The Collaborative Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site: Solar and Alternative Technologies (SALT) will be hosted by the University of Tulsa to encourage undergraduate students to pursue further studies in alternative energy technologies. Among the many issues with fossil fuels are the exhaustion of conventional sources, pollution and water consumption during production, and greenhouse gases formed during burning. Although new sources of fossil fuels are being found and cleaner extraction techniques are being developed, alternatives to fossil fuels are needed that produce fewer greenhouse gases. The overarching goal of the REU's research projects is to advance knowledge and understanding of alternative technologies while reducing dependence on fossil fuels for the production of energy, fuel, clean water, and/or materials. This REU supports the education of students from institutions with few research opportunities, particularly for under-represented groups and first-generation college students. Students will be actively recruited from 2- and 4-year regional institutions in the EPSCOR states Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, as well as through the national networks of the Oklahoma Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation and American Indian Science and Engineering Society chapters. The students will be mentored throughout their summer research to encourage them to continue their studies in graduate work, with a goal of broadening their representation in academic research.The Solar and Alternative Technologies Research Experiences for Undergraduates Site will involve undergraduate students in summer research projects for 10 weeks developing fuel, catalysts, power, clean water, and plastics from renewable sources or using renewable energy. The projects include water desalination and the production of microalgal biofuel, biocatalysts, and nanoellipsoids. More than half of the projects focus on solar energy, ranging from a new way to produce silicon, to the effects of fluid flow patterns on energy production, to the matching of energy resources and needs to create a micro-grid for local energy needs. The undergraduate students will learn about responsible conduct of research, environmental ethics, technical communication through journal articles and oral presentations, and posting about research on social media. Students will give two progress presentations and a final oral report and prepare a final written formal report, similar to a journal article. Tours will include local hydroelectric, solar, wind, geothermal, and waste-to-energy facilities. The goal of the REU is to encourage under-represented groups in the pursuit of graduate studies by mentoring them in undergraduate research. The University of Tulsa will collaborate with Oklahoma State University to evaluate the REU student experience.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.