NSF IRES: Engineering Sustainable Biological Solutions for Clean Energy and Water in Costa Rica

该项目将通过为期两周的海外留学课程、为期一学期的实验设计指导以及在哥斯达黎加大学为期10周的研究沉浸，培训美国本科生进行工程研究。在哥斯达黎加等依赖生态资源进行生态旅游和农业生产的国家，保护水质至关重要。哥斯达黎加的许多废物，如食物和动物粪便，可以通过厌氧消化转化为能源；然而，目前的做法产生的废水对环境造成不利影响，并可能污染粮食作物。使用一种包括太阳能辅助厌氧消化器和人工处理湿地的新型系统，学生将研究和开发集成的、具有生态意识的系统，用于哥斯达黎加的可持续能源生产和水回收。最终，该项目的目标是培训12名学生进行研究、开发和设计，同时增加在可持续生物系统方面接受过全球培训的工程师队伍，以生产清洁能源和水。学生研究将优化和开发集成的生物消化池和湿地处理系统，以实现可持续能源发电和水回收。拟议的项目将促进对厌氧消化和湿地处理工艺基础工艺的了解，对工程生物系统的未来发展至关重要。研究活动将侧重于一种新的系统，该系统有可能改变分散废水处理和能源生产的工程方法。该系统集成了太阳能加热、高温消化和四种类型的人工湿地来处理食物和粪便联合废物。学生将与拥有多种专业知识的教师合作，包括农业工程、生物工程、微生物学和化学。拟议的计划将促进发现，同时促进对12名参与者以及参加相关海外学习课程的美国和哥斯达黎加学生的培训和学习，每年约有15名学生。

This program will train U.S. undergraduate students in engineering research through a 2-week study abroad course, a semester of mentoring in experimental design, and a 10-week research immersion at the University of Costa Rica. Protection of water quality is essential in countries like Costa Rica that rely on ecological resources for ecotourism and agricultural production. Many wastes, such as food and animal wastes, in Costa Rica can be converted into energy through anaerobic digestion; however, current practices yield wastewater that adversely affects the environment and potentially contaminates food crops. Using a novel system that includes a solar-assisted anaerobic digester and constructed treatment wetlands, students will research and develop integrated, ecologically-conscious systems for sustainable energy generation and water reclamation in Costa Rica. Ultimately, the goal of the project is to train 12 students in research, development, and design while increasing the workforce of globally-trained engineers in sustainable biological systems to produce clean energy and water. Student research will optimize and develop integrated biodigester and wetland treatment systems for sustainable energy generation and water reclamation. The proposed project will advance knowledge of fundamental processes underlying anaerobic digestion and wetland treatment processes, crucially benefiting the future development of engineered biological systems. Research activities will focus on a novel system that has the potential to transform engineering approaches to decentralized wastewater treatment and energy generation. This system integrates solar heating, thermophilic digestion, and four types of constructed wetlands for treatment of combined food and manure wastes. Students will work with faculty with a variety of expertise, including agricultural engineering, biological engineering, microbiology, and chemistry. The proposed program will advance discovery while promoting training and learning for the 12 participants as well as the U.S. and Costa Rican students participating in the associated study abroad course, approximately 15 students per year.