Research Experience for Undergraduates: Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy and Water Security

本科生（REU）网站奖，以密西西比州立大学，位于斯塔克维尔，MS，支持10名学生在2020年至2022年的夏天10周的培训。在这个程序中，由化学部资助，参与者在化学，工程和环境科学的接口进行合作研究项目。 与会者了解水质的相互依赖性，增加粮食产量的肥料使用，以及使用跨学科方法的可再生能源。 这项研究导致了从事环境研究的科学家和训练有素的劳动力的发展。 通过研讨会和讲习班，该方案还促进创业思维，探索创办小企业的途径。参与者了解能源安全、水质、粮食安全和相关问题。研究项目领域包括将生物量和能源作物转化为生物燃料;利用生物炭（生物燃料生产的副产品）净化水;通过生物炭土壤改良剂加强粮食安全。这些项目的组成部分包括种植生物质，将其转化为生物燃料，并利用副产品清洁水和改善土壤质量。这些项目使参与者接触研究仪器，鼓励对科学的兴奋，并教授参与者可以转化为化学科学或研究生院职业的实用技能。除了研究，研讨会和讲习班还塑造了一个具有环保意识和道德意识的群体，建立了一支准备好解决重大社会问题的化学科学队伍。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site award to Mississippi State University, located in Starkville, MS, supports the training of 10 students for 10 weeks during the summers of 2020-2022. In this program, funded by the Division of Chemistry, participants pursue collaborative research projects at the interface of chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. Participants learn about the interdependencies of water quality, fertilizer use for increased food production, and renewable energy using interdisciplinary approaches. This research leads to the development of environmentally -engaged scientists and a better trained workforce. Through seminars and workshops, this program also promotes entrepreneurial thinking and explores pathways to starting small businesses.Participants learn about the areas of energy security, water quality, food security and related issues. The research project areas include the conversion of biomass and energy crops into biofuels; the utilization of biochar (a biofuel production byproduct) for the purification of water; and the enhancement of food security through biochar soil amendment. Components of these projects include growing biomass, converting it into biofuels, and using the by-products to clean water and improve soil quality. These projects expose participants to research instrumentation, which encourages excitement for science and teaches participants practical skills that can translate to careers in the chemical sciences or graduate school. Alongside research, seminars and workshops shape an environmentally conscious and entrepreneurially-minded cohort, building a chemical sciences workforce ready to tackle big societal problems.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.