9702603 Torrents This is an award to provide support for research, the primary objective of which is to obtain a better understanding than now exists of how immobilized enzymes can be utilized most efficiently in detoxifying wastes that contain organic phosphates of pollutional significance. The investigator plans on screening a series of protein immobilization supports with differing degrees of surface activation characteristics to identify those with a large capacity for adsorption of the enzymes and then altering the enzyme to obtain maximum linkage between it and its support. A secondary objective of this project is to identify the conditions under which the enzymes can maintain their potential for activity when exposed to adverse environmental conditions. Results of this project are expected to provide insights into the engineering design of processes to detoxify substance of pollutional significance by use of immobilized enzymes. The proposal leading to this award was submitted in response to NSF 96-115, "Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program." As such, this award also provides support for the continuation of this investigator's early development as an educator. Her education plan includes development of new courses that emphasize the multidisciplinary perspectives that are inherent to the practice of environmental engineering. Her innovative approach also is targeted toward leading students to, in effect, assist in teaching themselves. ***
