U of M grant will boost renewable energy, sustainable chemistry curriculum

January 1, 1970

Posted April 26, 2010, at 8:45 a.m. CST

The National Science Foundation has awarded three University of Minnesota, Morris chemistry professors a $197,146 grant to integrate renewable energy and sustainable chemistry into the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. The University of Minnesota Institute for Renewable Energy and the Environment also contributed $22,000 for the project. Nancy Carpenter, Ted Pappenfus, and Tim Soderberg will use the funding to create new courses and add new aspects to existing courses on nuclear, solar, wind, fuel cell, and biofuel energy sources. Morris undergraduate students will be substantially involved in all phases of the project.

The grant project introduces timely topics of global importance and emphasizes an interdisciplinary curriculum for both teaching and research. "The whole area of sustainability and renewability needs an interdisciplinary approach," Pappenfus said. "Chemistry is already very interdisciplinary. It's the new norm in science-biochemistry, for example, or my area of photovoltaics, which involves many elements of physics."

Carpenter is developing the Chemistry of Sustainable Energy course that will serve as an elective for both the chemistry and environmental science majors. Topics for the course include: energy basics, fossil fuels, sustainable energy sources, biomass, solar cells, hydrogen fuel cells, and nuclear energy. The inaugural course will be offered this fall.

Pappenfus will focus on two areas that affect the environment: polymers and photovoltaics. Polymers, large macromolecules, occur in natural and synthetic materials, but are often associated with plastics. In both the classroom and in the laboratory, Pappenfus and students will investigate the origins of the world's plastics and also future issues such as disposal and sustainable polymers. The study and research of photovoltaics, or solar cells, will be incorporated into introductory through advanced courses, from making a solar cell, to creating solar cell materials, to sophisticated solar cell measurements.

Soderberg, a bioorganic chemist, explores the role biology plays in the energy crises. He and student research assistants study enzymes for the ability to convert plant byproducts-parts not for consumption-to ethanol. The research could eliminate the "fuel versus food" controversy surrounding biofuels such as corn. These biochemical concepts will be incorporated into introductory through advanced chemistry courses.

Both science majors and nonmajors will benefit from the new and enhanced courses. "When they graduate, Morris students will have a good understanding of renewable energy and sustainable chemistry," Pappenfus said. "Chemists have a huge responsibility for paving the path to the future. Most institutions are on the ‘bandwagon' but many have not addressed how to incorporate renewability and sustainability into the curriculum. Success at Morris may have far-reaching impact as other institutions incorporate our curriculum concepts in the future."

SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, MORRIS

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Upcoming Events

Sign up for our e-newsletter!

Advertisement

Advertisement