REU Site: Program in Biorefining and Biofuels

可持续和可再生能源供应的发展是社会面临的最大挑战之一。生物燃料被广泛认为是新能源经济的关键组成部分。未来从生物质中生产燃料、化学品和产品将需要一系列复杂的综合化学转化步骤(生物精炼)。REU Site计划让学生在生产和转化在生物精炼中至关重要的化合物方面进行尖端研究。该REU Site计划的另一个重点是整合，既跨越学术学科，也跨越邻近的四个不同机构。与科罗拉多大学博尔德大学(CU)[中央(东道主)机构]、科罗拉多州立大学(CSU)、科罗拉多矿业学院(Mines)和国家可再生能源实验室(NREL)的研究人员进行参与者互动，提供了接触科学和工程职业的独特机会。这些机构合作成立了科罗拉多州生物精炼和生物燃料中心(C2B2)：一个致力于将生物质转化为燃料和其他产品的合作研究和教育合作机构。作为在这个动态的“虚拟中心”环境中互动的结果，学生们在离开现场计划时配备了对大学、联邦和行业研究伙伴关系的了解。此外，在夏季期间，来自不同学科的参与者必须合作，找到基于科学和工程的解决方案，以应对可再生能源技术面临的挑战。学生在跨学科研究和开发问题解决技术方面获得第一手经验，并共同努力创造有意义的进步。该网站计划的一个主要目标是鼓励有前途的不同学生，特别是女性、代表不足的少数族裔和主要来自本科院校的学生，在工程和科学研究领域追求职业生涯。今天的本科生被改变世界的动力所激励。该计划旨在吸引传统上在科学和工程领域代表性较低的人群的参与者，同时反映现代研究的跨学科和跨机构性质，特别是在可再生和可持续能源方面。本课程向学员介绍科学调查和工程专业。它还鼓励参与者完成S学士学位，以追求更高级的科学、数学和工程研究生教育。参与者获得了科学和工程方面的成熟，并为作为一名知识渊博的团队贡献者进入科学职业生涯做好了更好的准备。预计许多参与者将利用这一培训成为下一个十年的学术和商业领袖。“该网站由国防部与NSF REU项目合作共同资助。”

The development of sustainable and renewable energy supplies represents one of society's greatest challenges. Biofuels are widely regarded a key component of a new energy economy. The future production of fuels, chemicals and products from biomass will require a complex series of integrated chemical conversion steps ('biorefining'). This REU Site Program engages students in cutting-edge research for the production and conversions compounds that are of importance in biorefining.An additional focus of this REU site program is integration, both across academic disciplines and across four different institutions in close proximity. Participant interaction with researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU) [central (host) institution], Colorado State University (CSU), Colorado School of Mines (Mines), and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) provides unique exposure to science and engineering careers. These institutions have partnered to form the Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels (C2B2): a cooperative research and educational collaboration devoted to the conversion of biomass to fuels and other products. As a result of interacting in this dynamic 'virtual center' environment, students exit the site program equipped with an understanding of university, federal, and industry research partnerships. Moreover, during the summer program participants from various disciplines must collaborate to find science- and engineering-based solutions to challenges faced by renewable energy technologies. Students gain first-hand experience in interdisciplinary research and development problem-solving techniques and work together to create meaningful progress.A principal objective of this site program is to encourage promising diverse students, particularly women, underrepresented minorities, and students from primarily undergraduate institutions, to pursue careers in engineering and science research. Today's undergraduate students are fueled by the motivation to make a difference in the world. This program is specifically designed to attract participants from populations traditionally underrepresented in science and engineering and simultaneously reflect the cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional nature of modern research, especially in renewable and sustainable energy. This program introduces participants to the professions of scientific investigation and engineering. It furthermore encourages participants to complete bachelor?s degrees in pursuit of more advanced science, math, and engineering graduate education. Participants gain scientific and engineering maturity and are better prepared to enter a scientific career as a knowledgeable team contributor. It is expected that many participants will utilize this training to become the academic and commercial leaders of the next decade."The site is co-funded by the Department of Defense in partnership with the NSF REU program."