Research Experience for Undergraduates in Sustainable Energy

Keith Hohn Kansas State University

NSF REU Program and Goals • “The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation. REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program.”

• REU Programs are intended to educate students about how to conduct research, applications of research, and potential careers in research.

“Sustainable Energy in the 21st Century” REU

• Funding to start an REU at K-State in the area of sustainable energy was obtained in 2009

• Specific goals for this REU are: 1. To develop and apply knowledge and skills in the areas of

mathematics, science, engineering, and research methods 2. To develop an understanding of sustainability as an applied

multidisciplinary field encompassing economics, science, and technology, and the social, political, and ethical issues facing contemporary societies

3. To develop a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning by increasing the capacity for self directed learning and original investigation

“Sustainable Energy in the 21st Century” REU

• REU consists of multiple parts: – Research on sustainable energy under a

faculty advisor – Sustainability project – Sustainability seminar – Field trips – Social events – Research meetings, poster session

NSF EPSCoR 2010 KNE Participants

PI name Student Current Institution

REU institution Research topic

Hui Zhao Ben Wientrub KU KU Photovoltaic

Belinda Sturm Brandon Westemeyer KU KU biofuel

Judy Wu Logan Willie KU KU Photovoltaic

Judy Wu Michael Dunaway Haskell KU Photovoltaic

Ryszard Jankowiak Issac Fees KU KSU Photovoltaic

Susan Sun Tim Becker KSU KSU biofuel

Donghai Wang Brent Ware KSU KSU biofuel

Francis D’Souza Rachel Jacobs WSU WSU Photovoltaic

Paul Rellima Eric Oweggi WSU WSU Photovoltaic

Integration of REU/ESPCOR

• EPSCOR undergraduates were integrated into the NSF REU site in the following ways: – All students viewed sustainability seminars – All students attended two field trips, EPSCOR

2010 annual meeting, and final poster session – KSU EPSCOR students attended social

events and SUROP seminars, and participated in sustainability projects

Sustainability Seminar June 4 - Sustainability - What is it and How do we Quantify it? Keith Hohn and

Larry Erickson June 11 - Sustainable Energy: Overview of Opportunities and Challenges - Judy Wu June 18 - Energy Conservation and Efficiency - David Carter and Ben

Champion June 25 - Photocatalysis for Production of Fuels and Chemicals - Ken

Klabunde and Keith Hohn July 2 - Solar Energy - Ryszard Jankowiak July 9 - Nanotech Batteries - Jun Li and Clinton Whiteley July 16 - Renewable and Distributed Power Generation - Ruth Douglas Miller July 23 - Biofuel Production and Economics - Praveen Vadlani and Donghai Wang July 30 - Production of Algae for Sustainable Energy and Other Useful Products - Wayne Yuan and Larry Erickson August 6 - Final REU and EPSCoR Presentations

• Field trips were taken to: – Meridian Way Wind Farm – Nesika Energy ethanol plant – Solar energy installations in

Manhattan, KS – KSU Nuclear Reactor

Field Trips

Final Poster Session • At end of ten weeks, students prepared

posters on their research • Poster session was held in atrium of KSU

Engineering complex, many faculty attended

Sustainability Project

• Two group projects: – Solar parking lot

• White paper was prepared that investigated the potential for implementing solar panels in a parking lot to generate electricity

– Science Café: public presentation on sustainability • Six students researched and presented information on using

life cycle analysis to inform daily choices at Radina’s coffee shop. Talk was attend by ~40 people.

Social Events

• Social events included: – Welcoming picnic – Picnic, tour of Konza Prairie – Trip to Cosmosphere – Brown Bag lunches – Pizza and movie night

Assessment • Program efficacy is being assessed by both quantitative

and qualitative measures • Wendy Griswold (HSRC) is in charge of assessment • Students indicated an increase in their interest in

pursuing a career in research (7 out of 10) and attending graduate school (7.85). They also indicated that their understanding of both sustainability (8.75) and their specific technical area (8.25) had improved as a result of the REU, and most felt strongly that the REU would prove beneficial for their career (8.83).

I will use this summer experience as a motivator for my future career. I’ve learned so much about how to reasonably and logically live more sustainably, and not only will apply this newfound knowledge to my personal way of living, but hope to devote my career to sustainable living. Student S, Journal Entry This summer has definitely impacted the way I view research and sustainability, but my perspectives and beliefs have changed the most about graduate school and my career. Before this experience, I had no intention or desire to go to graduate school for chemistry. However, after the SUROP seminar on graduate school, my ideas about graduate school changed. I realized that it would be the best for my career and my future to attend graduate school. I also realized, through the research I was involved in, that I would really enjoy graduate school. Now, I am looking forward to being part of a research community and getting my PhD. Student O, Journal Entry When looking back this summer, I have gained so much from this sustainability REU, and I feel that I have truly grown as a person. I have learned while here that incorporating sustainability in the world today is not solely a technical problem, but will take social approaches, as well. Student M, Journal Entry

Sample student journal comments:

Collaboration Between NSF REU and NSF EPSCOR Programs

• Strong collaboration between the REU and the NSF EPSCOR KNE program benefits both programs: – REU program benefits from inclusion of more

students who add diversity of thought and training – EPSCOR program benefits by access to programs

developed for the REU program. Efforts do not need to be duplicated

2011 REU participant list

PI name Student Current Institution

REU institution

Research topic

Trung Nguyen Josh Petersen KU KU Fuel cell

Belinda Sturm Chloe Woodridge KU KU biofuel

Judy Wu Caleb Christen KU KU Photovoltaic

Ryszard Jankowiak

Adam Kell KSU KSU Photovoltaic

Susan Sun Kelly Borgen KSU KSU biofuel

Donghai Wang Bristen Lorg KSU biofuel

Francis D’Souza Ramona Nola WSU WSU Photovoltaic

Paul Rillema Cameron Wilkinson WSU WSU Photovoltaic

Conclusions

• Collaboration between NSF REU and NSF EPSCOR programs will lead to outstanding research opportunities for undergraduate research in sustainable energy