REU Site: Summer Academy in Sustainable BioEnergy

这是一个围绕可持续生物能源主题的REU网站的更新，该网站培养未来的科学家和工程师，他们具有解决世界未来能源需求所需的技能和观点。为了实现这一目标，学生进行可持续能源研究，参加与可持续发展和个人发展相关的主题研讨会，并参与与可持续能源相关的团队项目。学生需要在课程结束时的研讨会上展示他们的研究成果，并在网站上报告他们的发现。每年招收9名学生参加为期10周的暑期课程。有针对性的招聘是为了提高REU参与者的多样性。该计划通过为他们提供他们在可持续能源研究所需的技能和知识的培训影响REU参与者，让他们对可持续发展的更广泛的图景有一种感觉，并帮助他们发展成为成功的工程师和科学家所需的个人技能。过去的参与者中有60%毕业于学士学位，现在正在研究生学习。100%的参与者表示REU项目对他们的职业生涯产生了积极的影响。智力优势：REU学生在导师的指导下进行的研究推动了可持续能源知识的发展。研究人员将在生物质转化为燃料和化学品，可持续农业实践的发展，以及促进农村社区如何受到这些系统的影响的理解等领域取得进展。更广泛的影响：这个REU网站提供了丰富的研究经验，专注于参与者的个人和专业发展。学生不仅将获得进行可持续能源研究所需的技术能力，还将了解与可持续能源相关的社会和政治问题。通过参与关于可持续能源的团队项目，学生学会寻求外部信息来源，并提高自主学习和原创调查的能力。

This is a renewal of an REU site around the theme of sustainable bioenergy that trains future scientists and engineers with the skills and perspective necessary to address the world's future energy needs. To accomplish this, students perform research in sustainable energy, attend seminars on topics related to sustainability and personal development, and work on a team project related to sustainable energy. Students are required to present their research in a symposium at the end of the program as well as report their findings on a website. Nine students are recruited each year for a 10-week summer program. Targeted recruitment is done to enhance the diversity of the REU participants. The program impacts the REU participants by providing them training in the skills and knowledge they need for research in sustainable energy, giving them a sense of the broader picture of sustainability, and helping them develop the personal skills they will need to be successful engineers and scientists. Sixty percent of the past participants who have graduated with a BS degree are now in graduate studies. One hundred percent of the participants indicated that the REU program positively impacted their career.Intellectual Merit:The research produced by the REU students under the guidance of their faculty mentors advance the state of knowledge in sustainable energy. Researchers will make advancements in the areas of conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals, development of sustainable agricultural practices, and advance the understanding of how rural communities are impacted by these systems.Broader Impacts:This REU site provides a rich research experience focused on the personal and professional development of the participants. Students will gain not only the technical abilities required to conduct research in sustainable energy, but also become aware of the social and political issues associated with sustainable energy. By being involved in a team project on sustainable energy, students learn to seek outside sources of information and gain an increased capacity for self-directed learning and original investigation.