Environmental and Energy Systems

STRATEGIC RESEARCH FOCUS AREA

Engineering for planetary health

Planetary health is rooted in understanding the interdependencies of natural and built systems and the human experience.

Working toward a sustainable future

Our research centers around interconnected environmental and energy systems, both natural and engineered, which contribute to planetary health. We explore solutions to global problems at this critical intersection and train the next generation of engineers to continue this pursuit.

Engineered Systems for Climate Change Adaptation

Develop environmental infrastructure that supports resilient climate change adaptation strategies
Model climate change impacts on urban water systems
Develop climate change adaptation strategies for critical military assets

Environmental Informatics

Utilize low cost sensors within distributed environmental sensing networks
Manage large data sets for solving difficult energy/environment problems
Exploit machine learning technologies to develop and optimize efficient and low impact energy/environment systems

Human/Environment Interface

Understand contaminant exposure pathways in complex human/environment systems
Employ real-time monitoring systems to characterize and predict contamination events
Develop technologies for preventing mine wastes from polluting natural waters
Understand water, soil and built environment impacts on indoor air pollution

Optimizing Alternative Energy Systems

Develop and optimize waste to energy systems and waste valorization technologies
Minimize barriers to the application of bioenergy systems
Optimize extraction of wind energy
Improve energy efficiency and generation of water and wastewater treatment
Assist household energy transitions in the developing world

Rational Remediation

Develop cost effective and practical groundwater & sediment remediation strategies
Develop low-cost technologies for treating emerging contaminants
Design and optimize waste containment systems

Water System Efficiency and Resource Recovery

Manage urban water systems for ecosystem health and human needs
Design novel and efficient treatment technologies for water, wastewater, and stormwater
Develop alternate water sources through advanced treatment and reuse strategies
Determine effective nutrient recovery and removal strategies