Over the past few years, huge gains have been made in sustainability research and development, but there is still much room to further integrate sustainability into the sciences.
Recently, the program was recognized for its work in this area, winning an American Chemical Society (ACS) Award for Exemplary Work in the Incorporation of Sustainability into Chemistry Education.
But DREAMS isn鈥檛 all about chemistry. It鈥檚 also an interdisciplinary program for physics and engineering students. DREAMS draws top-level scholars from across Canada to carry out research at Dal through a unique lens: that of a sustainability-focused researcher.
Sustainability in the spotlight
Given the importance of sustainability, it may surprise you that sustainability is not part of science curricula at many universities.
鈥淚t is a component of logical scientific reasoning that sometimes gets overlooked,鈥� explains DREAMS Director Mary Anne White. 鈥淔or example, approaches to chemistry are not always sustainable. It鈥檚 important to think about how we can make the best use of our finite materials and other resources.鈥�
Dr. White notes that research and development coming out of DREAMS is especially applicable because it considers the whole picture surrounding materials and energy issues.
The brainchild of researchers associated with the AV俱乐部 Institute for Research and Materials (IRM), the program is funded through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)鈥檚 Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) Program.
DREAMS has come a long way since 2010, when Dal Professor Jeff Dahn secured its initial grant funding. Since its conception, DREAMS has attracted 30 researchers (22 undergrads and eight masters and PhD students) with the chance to work alongside on complex projects, take challenging courses and intern at a partner organization.
鈥淭here is a lot of competition for top-level grad students but we have a special edge,鈥� says DREAMS Coordinator Janet MacDonald. 鈥淒REAMS has courses specially crafted for the program and internships with industry and government partners such as 3M and Hydro Qu茅bec.鈥�
Dal shares sustainability successes
Receiving the ACS award at the Spring National Meeting marked a significant accomplishment, as DREAMS was the only awardee at the graduate level.
Dr. White, representing DREAMS, delivered a lecture at the meeting, explaining the program to conference delegates. She discussed topics covered in DREAMS courses including elemental availability, energy costs and life cycle assessment.
Following the lecture, many professors approached Dr. White for resources, especially those focusing on element availability.
鈥淐hemists usually think all elements on the periodic table can be used but not all of them are sufficiently abundant or available,鈥� says Dr. White. 鈥淢y presentation talked a lot about how we introduce our students to these limitations before they do their research projects.鈥�
Supervising professors in DREAMS are among the most respected in the country and new industry partners sign on regularly. But Dr. White attributes a large part of DREAMS' success to its students.
鈥淥ur students are dedicated and very smart,鈥� she smiles. 鈥淭hey make the program what it is.鈥�