**Louisiana\'s Department of Energy EPSCoR Program**

D. Carver (Louisiana Board of Regents)

**Abstract No. 85**

Louisiana\'s DOE/EPSCoR program sponsors interdisciplinary research in
energy-related areas concentrating on the basic energy sciences,
environmental restoration and waste management, and environmental health
sciences. The DOE/EPSCoR Program has had a significant impact on
Louisiana\'s economy and research capabilities. Following is a summary
of the three research clusters supported under the EPSCoR award, each of
which is led by faculty from three of the state\'s leading research
institutions:

**Inorganic Synthesis and Laser-Induced Photochemistry Relevant to the
Fabrication of Electronic Materials**: The fundamental and practical
ramifications of this research cluster impact major DOE interest areas
ranging

from understanding chemical bond cleavage to producing semiconductor
materials. Major projects involve the synthesis of novel materials
precursors, the application of unique thin-film deposition strategies,
and the utilization of innovative photochemical techniques. Benefits for
Louisiana are being seen through industrial ties being established with
companies like AT&T and Albemarle and through \"tech-transfer\"
opportunities. Louisiana students are also being influenced by the
cluster\'s SKIT outreach program that trains elementary and middle
school science teachers how to use science experiment kits provided by
the cluster for teaching students more about science.

**Using High Energy Ion Beams and Synchrotron Radiation for Modification
and Analysis of Corrosion and Wear Inhibiting Coating of Metallic
Alloys**: Corrosion is a major concern for many industries, costing more
than \$100 billion annually in the U.S. alone. In the oil and gas
industry, increasing corrosion resistance of parts and machinery, even
by a small percentage, can result in large cost savings. The synergistic
collaboration among members of this multi-university research cluster
and an industrial consortium is providing an avenue for direct
industrial application of the ongoing research in corrosion and adhesion
science. This project has successfully removed many of the barriers
impeding the useful exchange of ideas between industrial and university
researchers.

**Development of Mammalian and Non-Mammalian Toxicological Indices of
Risk Associated With Energy-Related Wastes**: This cluster\'s research
focuses on gaining a comprehensive understanding of how wastes generated
by oil and gas production and petrochemical manufacture impact
Louisiana\'s commercially important environments. Significant progress
has been made in understanding the potential of dietary exposure to low
doses of selected target carcinogens and mixtures to cause mutagenic,
immunological and tumorigenic response in rats. Parallel investigations
in fish models are yielding critical information on the utility of such
models as indicators of environmental exposure to carcinogens. As with
the mammalian work, advances are being made in the assessment of impacts
upon DNA, specific genes such as the p53 tumor suppressor gene and upon
the immune systems of fish. In the aggregate, these investigations
represent the first parallel evaluations of such effects in mammalian
and non-mammalian species.

**Human Resources Development Component: HRD activities include**:
developing a cadre of reform-minded science teachers of grades nine
through twelve, trained in specific energy-related content, who will
take

leadership roles in reforming science education at the high school
level; administering an energy-related research and mentoring program
for high potential undergraduate students selected primarily from HBCU
campuses; and involving graduate, post-doctoral students and junior
faculty in high quality, energy-related research. Louisiana\'s major
research universities are working in partnership with regional
universities, particularly Historically Black Colleges and Universities,
to educate students in energy-related areas.

The State of Louisiana has committed \$4.4 million in cash matching
funds from the Board of Regents Support Fund for this Department of
Energy EPSCoR grant. Additional corporate cash funds and institutional
funds match

dollars have also been provided.