Environmental Engineering, Science and Management
Current Research
Bio-energy
Professor Kelvin Gregory develops technology to produce electricity at remote and decentralized locations using microorganisms. Certain bacteria, known as electricigens, can couple their metabolism with electricity production while growing on electrodes. He addresses basic science questions regarding ecology, physiology, and electrochemistry of microbial fuels cells as well as engineering the technology for novel applications in waste-to-energy, sensing, and remediation.
Sustainability
Professor Cliff Davidson and David Dzombak supervise a team of students using sensors to monitor the ability of green roofs to reduce water runoff rate and volume, and improve building energy efficiency. Davidson has students evaluating the impact of domestic water reuse (graywater use) and drinking water supply demands and reducing sewage treatment demands.
Life Cycle Assessment
Professors Scott Matthews and Chris Hendrickson are assessing the areas of product and infrastructure life cycles that lead to the greatest environmental and energy impacts. For example, a recently funded project is considering the life cycle infrastructure effects of various alternative fuel pathways such as ethanol, hydrogen, and plug-hybrid vehicles.
Carbon Sequestration
Professor Lowry investigates the effects of supercritical CO2 and brine solutions on well bore cement to estimate their integrity under sequestration conditions. Another project assesses the carbon sequestration potential of industrial waste streams.
