Outreach and Engagement
Broader Impacts
The CAPs Phase I program will conduct convergence research to establish a new accelerated photochemistry reaction discovery framework, train the next-generation skilled workforce, and increase U.S. global competitiveness in sustainable fine/specialty chemical manufacturing. The research results form the basis for democratizing access to research acceleration strategies in photochemistry. CAPs Phase I will develop a multitude of modern, freely accessible, and hybrid (in-person and virtual) Education and Workforce Development (EWD) activities for different age groups (high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, and teachers) to train future scientists and engineers in photo(bio)catalysis and SDLs.
CAPs will catalyze worldwide adoption of standardized experimental strategies/data analysis sharing of photocatalysis developed through education, training, outreach programs, and open-access (meta)data accessibility. At the same time, autonomous robotic experimentation offered by SDLs will enable students with physical disabilities access to experimental sciences, appreciably expanding participation in the discipline.
An essential goal of CAPs involves bridging gaps between chemists, biochemists, and engineers to solve complex problems more rapidly than traditional photocatalysis approaches permit. The students working within CAPs will experience hands-on, provocative, interdisciplinary research transcending a group of dedicated investigators. Many student co-mentorship opportunities will unfold as CAPs science develops. During Phase I, classroom and laboratory educational resources will be developed and disseminated to incorporate machine learning and SDL modules suitable for integration into graduate/undergraduate curricula and the CAPs website.
The visual spectacle of light excitation and requisite sample response will form the basis for the CAPs website to intrigue the public regarding SDL-inspired photochemistry and photocatalysis. In concert with animating experiments and experimental apparatus, short videos will be produced to showcase CAPs science and profile individual scientists on the CAPs YouTube page, also disseminated on social media, institutional online platforms, and the CAPs website.
