Collaborative Research: REU Site: Solar and Alternative Technologies

塔尔萨大学将主办本科生合作研究体验(REU)网站：太阳能和替代技术(SALT)，以鼓励本科生在替代能源技术方面继续深造。化石燃料的诸多问题包括常规能源的枯竭、生产过程中的污染和水消耗，以及燃烧过程中形成的温室气体。尽管化石燃料的新来源正在被发现，清洁的开采技术正在被开发，但需要产生更少温室气体的化石燃料的替代品。REU研究项目的总体目标是增进对替代技术的知识和理解，同时减少对生产能源、燃料、清洁水和/或材料的化石燃料的依赖。该REU支持来自研究机会很少的机构的学生的教育，特别是对代表不足的群体和第一代大学生的教育。学生将从EPSCoR州阿肯色州、堪萨斯州、密苏里州和俄克拉何马州的两年制和四年制地区机构以及俄克拉荷马州路易斯·斯托克斯少数民族参与联盟和美国印第安人科学与工程学会分会的全国网络中积极招募。这些学生将在整个暑期研究期间接受指导，以鼓励他们在研究生工作中继续学习，目标是扩大他们在学术研究中的代表性。本科生太阳能和替代技术研究体验网站将包括本科生在为期10周的暑期研究项目中从可再生资源或使用可再生能源开发燃料、催化剂、电力、清洁水和塑料。这些项目包括海水淡化和生产微藻生物燃料、生物催化剂和纳米椭球。超过一半的项目专注于太阳能，从生产硅的新方法，到流体流动模式对能源生产的影响，再到能源资源的匹配，需要创建一个满足当地能源需求的微电网。本科生将通过期刊文章和口头演示，以及在社交媒体上发布研究成果，学习负责任的研究行为、环境伦理、技术交流。学生将作两次进度报告和一份期末口头报告，并准备一份类似于期刊文章的期末书面正式报告。旅游将包括当地的水电、太阳能、风能、地热和垃圾转化能源设施。REU的目标是通过指导他们的本科生研究来鼓励代表不足的群体追求研究生学习。塔尔萨大学将与俄克拉荷马州立大学合作评估REU学生的经历。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The Collaborative Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site: Solar and Alternative Technologies (SALT) will be hosted by the University of Tulsa to encourage undergraduate students to pursue further studies in alternative energy technologies. Among the many issues with fossil fuels are the exhaustion of conventional sources, pollution and water consumption during production, and greenhouse gases formed during burning. Although new sources of fossil fuels are being found and cleaner extraction techniques are being developed, alternatives to fossil fuels are needed that produce fewer greenhouse gases. The overarching goal of the REU's research projects is to advance knowledge and understanding of alternative technologies while reducing dependence on fossil fuels for the production of energy, fuel, clean water, and/or materials. This REU supports the education of students from institutions with few research opportunities, particularly for under-represented groups and first-generation college students. Students will be actively recruited from 2- and 4-year regional institutions in the EPSCOR states Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, as well as through the national networks of the Oklahoma Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation and American Indian Science and Engineering Society chapters. The students will be mentored throughout their summer research to encourage them to continue their studies in graduate work, with a goal of broadening their representation in academic research.The Solar and Alternative Technologies Research Experiences for Undergraduates Site will involve undergraduate students in summer research projects for 10 weeks developing fuel, catalysts, power, clean water, and plastics from renewable sources or using renewable energy. The projects include water desalination and the production of microalgal biofuel, biocatalysts, and nanoellipsoids. More than half of the projects focus on solar energy, ranging from a new way to produce silicon, to the effects of fluid flow patterns on energy production, to the matching of energy resources and needs to create a micro-grid for local energy needs. The undergraduate students will learn about responsible conduct of research, environmental ethics, technical communication through journal articles and oral presentations, and posting about research on social media. Students will give two progress presentations and a final oral report and prepare a final written formal report, similar to a journal article. Tours will include local hydroelectric, solar, wind, geothermal, and waste-to-energy facilities. The goal of the REU is to encourage under-represented groups in the pursuit of graduate studies by mentoring them in undergraduate research. The University of Tulsa will collaborate with Oklahoma State University to evaluate the REU student experience.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.