Biobased Plastics for a Sustainable Future: Undergraduate Educational Modules for the Engineering Curricula

该项目正在创建可持续生物塑料模块，将天然非石油基聚合物材料引入几个工程和材料科学课程。 这些模块包括讲座，演示实验，动手实验室和设计项目，以提高学生的参与度和他们对可持续生物基材料的兴趣。 这些模块介绍了聚合物科学和工程的基本原理以及生物基聚合物的新趋势，从而使学生更好地了解可持续绿色塑料的理论和应用，提高解决问题和批判性思维能力;以及将可持续材料纳入其专业决策所需的动机和工具。 该材料可在广泛访问的nanohub网站上查阅，目前正在东北大学、利哈伊大学和格鲁吉亚理工学院使用，并通过教师研讨会、会议演示、期刊出版物和工业短期课程传播。该项目正在由一名外部顾问进行评估，以利用学生和教师调查以及焦点小组来监测对每个地点的学生和教师的影响。 更广泛的影响包括广泛的传播，特别是通过教师研讨会，张贴在nanohub网站，和工业推广。

The project is creating modules in sustainable bio-plastics to introduce natural non-petroleum based polymer materials into several engineering and material science curricula. The modules contain lectures, demonstration experiments, hands-on laboratories, and a design project in an effort to increase student engagement and their interest in sustainable bio-based materials. The modules present basic principles of polymer science and engineering and new trends in bio-based polymers thus providing students with a better understanding of the theory and applications of sustainable green plastics, improved problem-solving and critical thinking skills; and motivation and tools needed to incorporate sustainable materials in their professional decisions. The material, which is available on the widely accessed nanohub website, is being used at Northeastern University, Lehigh University, and the Georgia Institute of Technology and is being disseminated through faculty workshops, conference presentations, journal publications, and industrial short-courses. The project is being evaluated by an outside consultant to monitor the impact on students and faculty at each site using student and instructor surveys and focus groups. Broader impacts include wide dissemination, especially though the faculty workshops, postings on the nanohub website, and the industrial outreach.