The school for ocean and earth science and technology (soest) at the university of hawaii at manoa (UHM) proposes to establish a collaborative research facility to support multi- disciplinary…

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded a $424,155 Cooperative Agreement to the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) under the Arrangements for Interdisciplinary Research Infrastructure (CFDA 11.619) federal grant program. The purpose of this 5-year award, effective October 1, 2024, is to establish a collaborative research facility to support multi-disciplinary plastic pollution research in partnership with NIST. The key activities to be performed include:

Promoting a fostering collaborative, multi-, trans-, and interdisciplinary research environment to tackle complex environmental issues related to plastic pollution in the Hawaiian Islands. This will involve integrating NIST scientists into UHM via adjunct status and providing them with resources to conduct cutting-edge research, as well as contribute to undergraduate and graduate student instruction. The partnership aims to enhance scientific understanding of plastic pollution, develop effective measurement tools and standards, and contribute to the global effort to mitigate plastic pollution's environmental impact. The intended beneficiaries include local, state, federal, and industry partners through training, technology transfer, and information on the measurement of plastic pollution.

Activities

UHM/soest will promote a fostering collaborative, multi-, trans-, and interdisciplinary research environment to tackle complex environmental issues. In this context our approach will involve integrating NIST scientists into UHM via adjunct status within appropriate soest units and with research teams across the UHM campus as applicable, providing them with the necessary resources and support to conduct cutting-edge research, as well as the opportunity to contribute to instruction of undergraduate and graduate students. We also encourage joint applications for external funding to enhance the impact of our collaborative efforts.

Expected outcomes

Expected outcomes of this partnership are to enhance the scientific understanding of plastic pollution, develop effective measurement tools and standards, and contribute to the global effort to mitigate plastic pollution's environmental impact.

Intended beneficiaries

Beneficiaries will include local, state, federal and industry partners through training, technology transfer and information on measurement of plastic pollution. The work will benefit industry, especially recycling industries, by providing technical information on recycling of marine plastic and possible unintended consequences of using plastic in infrastructure. The work will be of particular benefit to the pacific islands region who grapples with the problems of marine debris, microplastics and the leaching of plastic additives from plastic.

Subrecipient activities

The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.