Scientists Seek to Predict the Wind

Video: Highlights from First ISU Wind Energy Symposium

Iowa State drives green technologies with First ISU Wind Energy Symposium

E-mail: windreu@iastate.edu

2012 Summer Undergraduate Research Experiences

About the Program

Iowa State University offers an intensive 10-week on-campus research program in Wind Energy Science, Engineering, and Policy (WESEP) for undergraduate students. Ten fellowships are sponsored each year by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Students will work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams with faculty and graduate students to receive training and get hands-on research experience in areas that address critical, long-term national needs in wind energy-related areas.

On-campus housing and a meal plan will be provided to students accepted into this program. Students also will receive up to $600 of travel expenses to and from Ames and a $5,000 stipend. Outside of the research experience, social events with other REU students at Iowa State also will be available.

Program Timeline

• Program Dates: June 4-August 10, 2012
• Application Deadline: Applications must be received by March 15 to guarantee consideration.
• Notifications of acceptance begins: April 15, 2012

Program Highlights:

One-on-one mentoring: Each student is assigned a faculty mentor for weekly meetings and a member of the research team who will serve as a daily contact person.

Immersive research experience: Each student will participate in three synergistic  research experiences: on a faculty-led team of researchers, on a team of undergraduate researchers, and in an individual research project within the faculty-led team. Research projects will focus on one of four areas: wind energy resource characterization and aerodynamic loads; wind energy conversion systems and grid operations; manufacturing, construction, and supply chain; or reliability and turbine health monitoring.

Core training: Students will attend short-course on wind energy science, engineering, and policy topics led by faculty and senior researchers, as well as participate in workshops with faculty, to provide a broad knowledge base in wind energy science, engineering, and policy.

Field trips: Students will go on several field trips to operating wind farms, turbine and blade manufacturing, and other wind energy-related companies in Iowa.

Industry networking: Each week students will attend "Brown Bag Lunch and Learn" sessions where industry experts from national laboratories, wind turbine manufacturers, wind farm developers and operators, wind turbine construction companies, maintenance providers, weather prediction consultants, electric utilities, independent service operators, and advocacy organizations will make presentations and engage in discussions about wind energy topics with students.

Access to state-of-the-art laboratories:Students will have access to simulation tools to design and optimize inspection methods for wind turbine blades and gearbox components, as well as regional weather forecast models and data sources. Students also will have access to Iowa State's state-of-the-art research laboratories, including the:

• Wind Engineering and Experimental Aerodynamics Lab
• Alternate Energy Grid Infrastructure Systems Lab
• Wind Energy Manufacturing Lab
• Wind Simulation and Testing Laboratory
• Center for Nondestructive Evaluation
• Polymer Composite Laboratory
• structural testing laboratory
• Aerodynamic/Atmospheric Boundary Layer Wind and Gust Tunnel
• Climate Science Program’s computing clusters for short-term forecasting and climate analysis
• Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering Facilities

Learn more about:

• REU research areas
• Life at Iowa State

Eligibility

All applicants must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States
• Be an undergraduate student in good standing
• Have completed 4 college-level courses in physical sciences, engineering, or mathematics
• Agree to participate in the full 10-week period of the program
  

APPLY NOW!

Contact Us

For questions about the program or application procedure, e-mail windreu@iastate.edu.

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This Research Experience for Undergraduates is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.