RFP Announcement for NSF Science and Technology

Center for Environmentally Responsible Solvents and Processes

 

This flyer announces an invitation to submit proposal(s) for research funding by the NSF Science and Technology Center for Environmentally Responsible Solvents and Processes under Cooperative Agreement CHE-9876674.  This solicitation for proposals is for two-year programs supporting one or more of three “Application Domains” including:

 

Work in this area relates to all aspects of polymer synthesis and selected downstream processes.  The goal is 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.

Work in this area focused on useful in cleaning or lithographic processes; deposition, such as might be useful in making films, coatings or devices; and materials which might be employed in either of these processes.  The goal is 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.

This domain includes a wide variety of research areas such as inorganic and biological catalysis.  The overarching goal is 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.

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Over thirty-five potential application targets have been identified within these domains.

 

Schedule and proposed selection criteria are given below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Schedule for Proposal Submission

 

            Videoconference review with faculty                                              June 14*

            Pre-proposal titles due (intent to respond)                                     June 28

            Proposals due                                                                            Aug    6

            Final selection of projects                                                             Sep  13

            Funding commences                                                                    Nov    1

 

*  A videotape of this conference will be available for those unable to attend.

 

 

Selection Criteria for Technical Projects

 

            Primary Criteria                                               Secondary Criteria                             

 

Fit to strategic plan                                            Collaboration plan                     

Potential impact                                                 K-12 outreach record and plan      

Scientific merit                                                   Outside funds attracted                         

 

Approximately 90% of annual operating funds will be used to support these projects.  Participation in this solicitation will be limited to existing Principal Investigators and their Departmental colleagues plus invited researchers whose expertise complements our existing programs and needs.  For a detailed RFP, contact Vicki Haithcock at vph@email.unc.edu