IRES: U.S.-Greece Undergraduate Engineering Research on Sustainable Indoor Living Environments

这个美国-希腊学生国际研究经验（IRES）项目每年为8名美国工程本科高年级学生提供高级培训，通过在希腊电子结构和激光研究所（IESL）和克里特大学（UoC）就可持续室内生活环境进行合作研究。所有的活动都由西弗吉尼亚大学的首席研究员Konstantinos Sierros和他的希腊同行George Kiriakidis指导，他是IESL透明导电材料实验室的负责人。在国外，学生参与者将接触到有关可持续生活技术的功能材料、设备和智能系统的研究趋势和工程挑战。具体来说，每个学生群体将在应用物理和工程的界面上在几个不同的可持续性领域进行合作，通过研究：基于金属氧化物的室内气体传感装置；改善空气质量的可印刷光催化材料；用于保温的相变材料和真空保温板；以及材料和器件的生命周期分析。海外整体研究经验的关键是可以使用合作伙伴独特的欧洲原型设施，该设施位于IESL和克里特岛科技园的综合场所。该场址将作为IRES活动的试验台和技术综合设施。本科生在可持续技术方面的早期职业培训和国际研究经验可以帮助培养下一代节能和可持续生活环境方面的专家，从而有助于提高美国未来的竞争力。这些全球参与的学生有望成为我们未来工程、能源和可持续发展劳动力的骨干。在IESL/UoC期间，通过为参与者提供精心的指导，并在IRES体验之前，期间和完成后促进与国际同行的有效合作，确保了他们宝贵的培训和文化参与。对于更广泛的影响，这个项目的结果也有望加强西弗吉尼亚大学和IESL/UoC之间未来的长期可持续发展研究合作。

This U.S.-Greece International Research Experience for Students (IRES) project annually offers eight U.S. senior undergraduate engineering students advanced training through cooperative research on sustainable indoor living environments at the Greek Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL) and the University of Crete (UoC). All activities are guided by the West Virginia University principal investigator, Konstantinos Sierros, and his Greek counterpart, George Kiriakidis who directs the Transparent Conducting Mterials Lab at IESL. While abroad, student participants will gain exposure to research trends and engineering challenges that concern functional materials, devices, and smart systems for sustainable living technologies. Specifically, each student cohort will work collaboratively in several distinct sustainability areas at the interface of applied physics and engineering by conducting research on: metal oxide-based indoor gas sensing devices; printable photocatalytic materials for improving air quality; phase change materials and vacuum insulation panels for thermal insulation; and life-cycle analysis of materials and devices. Key to the overall research experience abroad is access to the partner's unique European prototypal facility located at the combined premises of IESL and the Science and Technology Park of Crete. This site will serve as a test-bed and technology integration facility for the IRES activities. The early career training and international research experience for undergraduate students on sustainable technologies can contribute to future U.S. competitiveness by helping to develop the next generation of experts on energy-efficient and sustainable living environments. Such globally engaged students are expected to become the backbone of our future engineering, energy and sustainability workforce. Their valuable training and cultural engagement are ensured by providing participants with careful mentoring while at IESL/UoC and by fostering effective collaboration with international counterparts before, during, and upon completion of the IRES experience. For broader impact, the results of this project also are expected to strengthen future, long-term sustainability research collaboration between West Virginia University and IESL/UoC.