EPSCoR jurisdictions receive NSF investment to build R&D capacity and education
NSF has invested nearly $40 million in nine projects that fund collaborative networks, spanning a total of 20 institutions in 15 jurisdictions, through NSF's EPSCoR Research RII Track-2. EPSCoR is designed to build research and development capacity in states that demonstrate a commitment to research but have not received the levels of investment seen in other parts of the country. These grants focus on building interjurisdictional collaborative teams of investigators in scientific focus areas consistent with NSF and national priorities.
This year’s projects were focused on “Advancing research towards Industries of the Future to ensure economic growth for EPSCoR jurisdictions.” These projects will integrate researchers across EPSCoR jurisdictions to combine expertise for a sustained, effective research and education partnership.
NSF EPSCoR awarded projects and institutes are highlighted:
HAWAI’I: Genome Engineering to Sustain Crop Improvement (GETSCI) - The team from the University of Hawai'i and Iowa State University intends to address the problem of decreasing genetic diversity in maize by taking advantage of new germplasm present in tropical lines.
IDAHO: Developing a Circular Bio-based Framework for Architecture, Engineering and Construction Through Additive Manufacturing - The team from the University of Idaho and Auburn University (Alabama) aim to develop new bio-based resins that can be used as an additive material for construction materials.
IOWA: Critical Resource Availability for the Future of the Renewable Energy Industry: Critical Minerals and Ground Water Resources in Iowa and Kansas - The team from the University of Iowa and the University of Kansas aim to form a consortium that will focus on critical mineral, particularly rare earth elements, and groundwater resources for the renewable energy industry in both states.
KANSAS: Advanced Manufacturing of Renewable and Recyclable Polymers - The team from the University of Kansas, University of Delaware and Pittsburg State University aims to develop processes to transform biomass feedstocks into commercially relevant plastic materials and deconstruct recycled plastics efficiently into precursors for reuse.
LOUISIANA:
- Tri-state Research Institute of Manufacturing for Managing CO2 (TRIMMing CO2) - The team from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, The University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University and West Virginia University will focus on the development of innovative manufacturing processes to advance carbon capture and utilization.
- Fundamental Insights into the Durability and Efficiencies of CO2 Electrolyzers - The team from Louisiana State University and the University of Delaware will focus on sustainable chemical manufacturing that could potentially advance the manufacture of carbon products in a more consciously environmental manner.
NORTH DAKOTA: Artificial Intelligence on Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Network (AI SUSTEIN) and Beyond towards Industries of the Future - The team from North Dakota State University, Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College, the University of Arkansas Fayetteville and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas aims to develop a collaborative research and workforce development and education program for investigating the potential impact of artificial intelligence on critical industries and infrastructures related to energy networks.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Enabling Factory to Factory (F2F) Networking for Future Manufacturing – The team from the University of South Carolina and West Virginia University focuses on developing cyberinfrastructure to support advanced manufacturing and enable data exchange across the manufacturing ecosystem to increase operational efficiency.
VERMONT: Advancing Research Towards Industries of the Future to Ensure Economic Growth for EPSCoR Jurisdictions - Advanced Wireless - Integration with Infrastructure System - The team from the University of Vermont, Vermont Technical College and the University of Maine will seek to integrate advanced wireless systems with infrastructure using the “Internet of Things” and microrobots in order to transform the construction, maintenance and use of engineered infrastructure.
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