Decarbonization Corps

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Student & Faculty Lacy Hall

Reducing or eliminating carbon dioxide emissions from the environment ("decarbonization") will help avoid the worst impacts of climate change. To accomplish this, there must be massive transformations across all economic sectors as well as advances in sciences, technology, business, and policy.

In 2023, UVA's Environmental Institute launched a new initiative called the Decarbonization Corps. Learn about the inaugural Decarbonization Corps projects here.

The goal of the Corps is to increase the pace of decarbonization through faculty-led translational research projects conducted in conjunction with a practitioner, supported by a student intern.  Projects in the Decarbonization Corps will focus on the innovation and entrepreneurship needed to drive systemic change. The institute has partnered with “UVA Innovates”, a broader effort to catalyze entrepreneurship and innovation leading to the creation of novel ventures whether they be commercial enterprises or non-profit organizations.

To Apply

The program provides an inclusive and diverse experience. Upper-level undergraduates and graduate students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Interns will receive support for 10-hour of work per week from date-of-hire through the Spring 2025 semester. Interns will work in close collaboration with faculty and external organizational partners. Explore individual projects below to understand preferred student qualifications.

To be considered for an internship, students interested in this research-oriented program should apply to no more than two of the following projects.

Handshake is required to apply.

Applications are open until filled.

Email environment@virginia.edu with questions.

 

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Smokestacks against a blue sky

Carbon dioxide to methanol conversion for business needs

Gino Giri with Enchant Energy

This project will work on issues related to making novel materials ready for a future startup company in conjunction with our industry partner. These materials are related to carbon capture and conversion to carbon products.

Visit this link to apply.

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close up photo of a "hempcrete" wall

Biobased plasticizers for the fabrication of low-carbon shape-optimized concrete structures

Mohamed Ismail

This project advances the decarbonization of building construction through the adoption and processing of biomaterials into plasticizers, enabling the fabrication of shape optimized concrete structures.

Visit this link to apply.

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Gingko Tree in Color at UVA

Seeing the Forest AND the Trees: Scaling Reforestation Efforts to Achieve Decarbonization Goals

Mark White with GreenTrees

This project seeks to address critical bottlenecks limiting the scalability and speed of reforestation efforts with an especial focus on Virginia and the Southeast.

Visit this link to apply.

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Trees against the sky

Manufacturing Mass Timber

Katie MacDonald with Softwood Lumber Board 

This project will conduct market research and customer discovery, to identify paths to commercialization for the UVA robotic sawmilling technology and the new engineered softwood timber building products it can manufacture. 

Visit this link to apply,

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Energy storage market and business ecosystem

Gary Koening with BayWa r.e. Americas

This project will engage in an assessment of the present state and future pathways and opportunities for decommissioning of stationary energy storage battery installations.

Visit this link to apply.

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aerial shot of a neighborhood

Affordable Low-Carbon Housing: Navigating Carbon, Risk, and Durability

Jeana Ripple with Arlington Affordable Housing Partnership

This project investigates how tax-credit financing can facilitate the construction of durable, low-carbon affordable housing.

Visit this link to apply.

UVA faculty members looking to participate in and/or host a student as part of the Decarbonization Corps should email environment@virginia.edu.

Learn More about the 2023 Decarbonization Corps

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graphing o2 levels of tree

In 2023, four projects were part of the Decarbonization Corps. Read more about the outcomes and work.