Collaborative Research: REU Site: Solar and Alternative Technologies

本科生合作研究经验（REU）网站：太阳能和替代技术（SALT）将由塔尔萨大学主办，鼓励本科生在替代能源技术方面进行进一步的研究。化石燃料的诸多问题包括传统能源的枯竭、生产过程中的污染和水的消耗以及燃烧过程中产生的温室气体。虽然正在发现新的化石燃料来源，正在开发更清洁的提取技术，但需要产生更少温室气体的化石燃料替代品。REU研究项目的总体目标是促进对替代技术的认识和理解，同时减少对能源、燃料、清洁水和/或材料生产对化石燃料的依赖。该REU支持来自研究机会较少的机构的学生的教育，特别是针对代表性不足的群体和第一代大学生。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2年制和4年制区域机构积极招募，以及通过俄克拉何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招募。学生将在整个暑期研究期间接受指导，鼓励他们继续研究生学习，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经验网站将让本科生参与为期10周的夏季研究项目，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。一半以上的项目以太阳能为重点，从生产硅的新方法，到流体流动模式对能源生产的影响，再到能源资源和需求的匹配，以创建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报告，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。学生将提交两次进度报告和一份最终口头报告，并准备一份最终书面正式报告，类似于期刊文章。参观将包括当地的水电、太阳能、风能、地热和废物转化为能源的设施。REU的目标是通过指导本科研究，鼓励代表性不足的群体攻读研究生。塔尔萨大学将与俄克拉荷马州立大学合作，评估REU学生的体验。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值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.