REU Site: Engaging Undergraduates Students in Converting Waste to Sustainable Construction Materials

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This Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site at the University of Louisville will provide multidisciplinary research experiences in solid waste recycling and reuse of construction materials to a total of 24 undergraduate students from institutions with limited research opportunities in Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) states (e.g., Kentucky and West Virginia). Accumulation of solid waste in landfills negatively affects the food chain, health, and environment. The ability to convert solid waste from construction, agricultural, industrial, and municipal waste into a new generation of sustainable construction materials will reduce pollution from waste and reduce CO2 emissions from the production of new construction materials. REU students will participate in interdisciplinary research to make such solid waste recycling practical and economical. These experiences will help prepare students from a wide range of engineering disciplines to conduct future research to address our societies’ waste problems. The REU experience will also help students develop a wide range of scientific and research skills, as well as communication and teamwork skills that will benefit their future careers and society. The primary goal of this three-year REU site at the University of Louisville is to provide 8 undergraduate participants a 10-week summer research experience each year to increase their skills, self-efficacy, motivation, and retention in STEM. The program focuses on the development of skills in research, critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork/communication by participating in research to convert solid waste into construction materials, as well as other training and development activities. The specific objectives of the REU site are to: (1) Instruct students about scientific concepts relevant to eco-friendly construction material technologies; (2) Equip students with laboratory skills associated with traditional construction materials and educate students about the burgeoning solid waste problem; (3) Develop students’ critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills by having students work with both faculty members and industry experts; and (4) Prepare students for opportunities in academia, business, government, and other career paths through a variety of research and enrichment activities. Research topics include the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass, plastic, used tires, coal ash, and construction and demolition materials into sustainable construction materials. The program will include weekly seminars, professional development workshops, and field trips. These activities are designed to complement the technical activities. REU participants will be encouraged to present technical papers and posters at regional and national conferences.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.