REU Site: Renewable Energy Generation and Storage

非技术描述：随着对可再生能源发电和存储技术的需求不断增长，需要训练有素的劳动力，具备开发、部署和管理未来能源技术的技能。利用宾厄姆顿大学在可再生能源研究方面广泛的基础设施和师资力量，这个本科生研究经验（REU）网站解决了与能源部门相关的材料研究的科学和培训需求。该网站汇集了来自全国各地的本科生，其中大多数参与者来自科学和工程领域代表性不足的群体，以及来自研究基础设施有限的社区学院或小型大学。参与者对能源相关材料进行为期10周的深入研究，而每周的讲习班则促进专业发展和职业规划。在过去成功的基础上，REU网站的第三阶段为参与者增加了新的机会，通过与南方清洁能源孵化器公司的互动，了解行业职业。技术细节：这个REU网站的活动中心是培养本科生参与者成为准备在能源部门工作的高素质科学家和工程师。为此，项目为参与者创造了一个支持性的环境，通过实验和计算策略来解决与可再生能源发电和存储相关的基础材料研究问题。在五个科学和工程部门的教师和东北化学能源存储中心、自主太阳能中心和能源可持续发展高级催化中心的研究团队的指导下，学生们解决了开发太阳能转换、机械能收集、传热、电池储存和清洁燃料发电材料的挑战。在与南方清洁能源孵化器的合作中，参与者了解行业职业以及将实验室创新转化为商业产品所涉及的步骤。学生通过交流、合作和职业道路的研讨会为科学和工程职业做进一步的准备。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。

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Along with the growing need for renewable energy generation and storage technologies is the need for a well-trained workforce with the skills to develop, deploy, and manage future energy technologies. Taking advantage of Binghamton University’s extensive infrastructure and faculty strength in renewable energy research, this Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site addresses scientific and training needs in materials research relating to the energy sector. The site brings together undergraduates from across the country, with a majority of participants coming from groups that are underrepresented in science and engineering, and from community colleges or small universities with limited research infrastructure. The participants engage in 10 weeks of intensive research on energy-related materials, while weekly workshops foster professional development and career planning. Building on past successes, this third phase of the REU site adds new opportunities for participants to learn about industry careers through interactions with companies at the Southern Tier Clean Energy Incubator. TECHNICAL DETAILS: This REU site’s activities center on fostering development of the undergraduate participants into highly qualified scientists and engineers who are prepared to work in the energy sector. Towards this end, a supportive environment is created for the participants to solve fundamental materials research problems with connections to renewable energy generation and storage, using both experimental and computational strategies. Mentored by faculty spanning five science and engineering departments, and research teams in the NorthEast Center for Chemical Energy Storage, the Center for Autonomous Solar Power, and the Advanced Catalysis for Energy Sustainability Center, students tackle challenges in developing materials for solar energy conversion, mechanical energy harvesting, heat transfer, battery storage, and clean fuel generation. In partnership with the Southern Tier Clean Energy Incubator, participants learn about industry careers and the steps involved in translating laboratory innovations into commercial products. Students gain further preparation for science and engineering careers through workshops on communication, collaboration, and career pathways.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.