RFP Form

 

Instructions:  Please download the form.  After you have completed each section, please delete the instructions for that section.  Send copies of the completed form electronically to George Roberts at groberts@eos.ncsu.edu and to Vicki Haithcock at vph@email.unc.edu. 

 

A.  Project Title and Principal Investigator(s)

 

Please be brief but descriptive in developing your title.  Use no more than 12 words, terms (e.g., CO2) or abbreviations.  If more than one PI is named, please indicate which is to be considered the lead.  Please include contact information (phone, FAX, e-mail).

 

                                               

B.  Research Plan

 

This section should be 2-3 pages and include all of the following elements.

 

     1.  Overall objective

           

The overall research objective should be stated in a brief paragraph.  In addition, a one-line synopsis should be included which can be directly excerpted in listing the Center’s key objectives.

 

     2.  Approach

 

What specifically do you plan to do?  What is your strategy?

 

     3.  Relation to overarching Center goals

 

All research programs selected in the first solicitation must be clearly aligned with one or more of the three Application Domains listed above.  Some projects may relate to predictive models (mathematical or physical); diagnostic or characterization tools and techniques (e.g., for measurements); and/or broadly applicable equipment and/or processes.  As the Center’s work is fundamental, this is expected and encouraged.  However, it should also be clear how that model, tool or technique will be used directly to achieve the goals of at least one Application Domain.  (If your proposal does not support one of these Domains but supports higher-level Center vision, mission and goals, it may be a candidate for “seed” funding.)

 

a.  Overarching goal(s) supported

 

With which of the three overarching goals (Table 1) does your project best align?  There may be more than one, but pick the one where the success (or failure) of your project would have the greatest impact.  This alignment will be used in our official reporting to NSF and on our website but will not affect collaborative opportunities or group meeting assignments.  Collaboration is expected within cross-cutting functions as well as application domains and thus grad students and post docs are expected to attend as many weekly seminars as possible.

 

 

Table 1.  Overarching Goals of Application Domains

 

 

Overarching Goal of Application Domain I:
 Macromolecular Synthesis and Engineering

 

 

 

To develop fundamental understanding of kinetic and transport mechanisms,

thermodynamics, phase equilibria, and factors affecting polymeric materials’

structure and function in CO2-related systems

 

 

In order to demonstrate feasibility of sustainable polymerization and

processing technology

 

Overarching Goal of Application Domain II:
Dissolution and Deposition

 

 

 

To develop fundamental understanding of phenomena involved in dissolution

of materials and formation of thin films, coatings and structures at CO2 interfaces

 

 

In order to demonstrate feasibility of sustainable processes, materials, and devices

 

Overarching Goal of Application Domain III:
Small Molecule Systems

 

 

To develop fundamental understanding of small molecule reactions and synthesis, separations and materials formation in supercritical and near-supercritical CO2-based systems

 

 

In order to identify sustainable new processes involving small molecules

as candidates for further development

 

 

 

 

 

 

b.  Position in the research matrix

 

Please refer to Table 2 below.  Complete it as follows.  Find the functional area(s) that most nearly describe(s) your proposal.  Mark the boxes in the matrix where the functional area contributes to an application.  Use “@” for very important and “o” for somewhat important.  Leave blank if there is little or no overlap.  For example, if your proposal would measure polymerization kinetics using a spectroscopic technique, there would be an “@” in the box where spectroscopy and macromolecules intersect.  However, that technique might also be used to follow dissolution kinetics.  Depending upon the likelihood of this application, either “@” or “o” would go into that box.  If the technique could also be used to follow an organic condensation reaction in CO2, that box would be appropriately marked as well.  For each mark that is made in the matrix, there should be a brief explanation.  This should be consistent with response in Section B.3.a. above.

 

 

 

  Table 2.  Technical Task-Function Interaction Matrix

 

Function                                                          Task (Application Domain)

                                                                        |Macromolec    |Dissol/Deposit |Small Molec    |  

Surfactants & interfacial phenomena                    |____________|____________|____________|     

Separations processes                                       |____________|____________|____________|

Modeling and simulations                                   |____________|____________|____________|

Spectroscopy                                                    |____________|____________|____________|

Kinetics and mass transport                               |____________|____________|____________|

Thermodynamics                                               |____________|____________|____________|

Reactor design                                                  |____________|____________|____________|

Other (specify)                                                   |____________|____________|____________|

Other (specify)                                                   |____________|____________|____________|

 

 

 

     4.  Potential impact

 

What difference will your project make?  How will the Center benefit/suffer if your proposal is/is not funded?  The matrix above and connectivity section below should be considered.

 

 

C.  Connectivity

 

If this proposal extends an existing project, briefly, what new collaborations have you established as a result of your funding to date? Whether new or existing project, what new ones are planned?

Sharing of graduate students and/or post-docs on related projects is an excellent way to develop connectivity.  PIs are encouraged to collaborate on proposals to develop such connections.

 

     1.  Related work

            a.  Other Center proposal supported (past and planned)

            b.  Additional Center goals (other than primary) supported

            c.  Additional functional efforts supported

     2.  Collaborations planned outside the Center

     3.  Resource and/or facilities sharing

 

 

D.  Education and Outreach

 

Include all research group participation, but highlight your personal involvement.  The expectation is that you participate in ongoing K-12 programs, not necessarily “invent” new ones.

 

 

     1.  Past and proposed K-12 support

     2.  Past and proposed support of higher education initiatives

     3.  Past and proposed participation in Personal Development Program

 

 

E.  Funding

 

     1.  The standard funding module allows for the following allocations for each of two years.  (Second year funding is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a semiannual review.)

 

Please advise as to which option (one graduate student or ˝ post doc) you select.  Also, if you propose sharing, please state with whom.  Undergraduate support may be available upon request, certainly so at NC A&T. 

 

     2.  Additional and complementary funding

 

Be advised that very little if any additional capital is likely to be available.  Proposals should not be predicated upon capital availability nor availability of funds beyond the standard module described above.

 

Please indicate plans to obtain complementary funding.  Also, if you are presently receiving STC funding, what Center-related proposals have you filed to date and with what results?