Wayne State University receives renewal from NSF for REU Site: Summer Academy in Sustainable Manufacturing
The Wayne State University College of Engineering has announced the renewal of its Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site: Summer Academy in Sustainable Manufacturing, supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF). This program, which began in 2016, has been a cornerstone of Wayne State's efforts to advance education and research in sustainable manufacturing practices.
The REU Site provides undergraduate students from across the nation with an opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research focused on the development of sustainable manufacturing systems. Participants work closely with Wayne State faculty members and graduate students, gaining hands-on experience in designing, analyzing and improving manufacturing processes with sustainability in mind. The program also emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together students from various engineering disciplines to address complex challenges in sustainable manufacturing.
The renewed funding from the NSF, a $438,627 grant, will allow Wayne State to continue offering this valuable experience to students for another three years. The program is led by Jeremy Rickli and Yinlun Huang, both of whom have extensive expertise in sustainable manufacturing and systems engineering.
"The renewal of our REU Site is a testament to the impact the program has had on students and the field of sustainable manufacturing,” said Rickli, associate professor of industrial and systems engineering. “We are excited to continue providing undergraduates with the opportunity to explore this critical area of research and contribute to the development of more sustainable industrial practices."
Since its inception, the Summer Academy in Sustainable Manufacturing has hosted 66 undergraduate researchers from 45 universities across 14 disciplines. Of these participants, 45% are women or from underrepresented minorities in science and engineering. Several participants have gone on to pursue master's and Ph.D. degrees at institutions such as the University of Kentucky, Northwestern University, the University of Florida, the University of Connecticut, Stony Brook University and the University of Kansas.
The research conducted by these undergraduates has led to multiple journal and conference articles, as well as numerous presentations at such national and international conferences as the International Congress on Sustainability Science and Engineering and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting.
A key priority of the REU Site is to encourage participants to pursue graduate studies and research careers. Notably, the Summer Academy has observed a 15% increase in students considering a Ph.D. in a science field after participating in the program.
"Sustainability is a global challenge that requires innovative solutions,” said Huang, professor of chemical engineering and materials science. “Through this program, we are equipping the next generation of engineers with the knowledge and skills they need to make a meaningful impact in the world."
“I am pleased to see that this important program, which gives our undergraduate students enhanced learning opportunities, has been renewed by the National Science Foundation,” said Ezemenari M. Obasi, Ph.D., vice president for research & innovation at Wayne State University. “I look forward to seeing the continued positive results of Drs. Rickli and Huang's leadership and the impact they are making on our students.”
Applications for the 2025 summer session will open in January.
The award number for this NSF grant is 2348993.