Sustainability

Dec. 1, 2023

Xiao Honored as 2023 Emerging Investigator, Presents Keynote at AWWA Conference

Feng “Frank” Xiao, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, was honored by the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP) as the 2023 Emerging Investigator lecturer and presented a keynote address at the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) Water Quality Technology Conference in Dallas last month.

Nov. 10, 2023

Algae-based manufacturing system uses CO2 to create eco-friendly plastic

Biodegradable plastics made from sustainable sources and CO2 are one step closer to reality thanks, in part, to a Mizzou Engineer’s expertise in bioprocesses and bioproducts.

Nov. 2, 2023

Researcher outlines process to simplify manufacturing of solid-state lighting

LED lighting is replacing traditional incandescent lighting across the country. These light-emitting diodes are energy efficient, but also problematic. Not only are they costly, they also emit harsh blue lighting that’s polluting our night sky and interrupting our sleep patterns. Mizzou Engineering’s Peifen Zhu is coming up with better solid-state lighting technology.

Oct. 26, 2023

Mizzou Engineer part of Dept. of Energy project to cut greenhouse gas emissions at wastewater treatment plants

A Mizzou Engineer is part of a multi-disciplinary team working to improve wastewater treatment processes to cut greenhouse gas emissions by half without increasing costs to plants.

Sep. 29, 2023

Team devising methods to make computer chips more energy efficient, sustainable

A Mizzou Engineering team is devising a method to make computer chips designed to run deep neural networks (DNNs) not only reliable, but also energy efficient and sustainable.

July 20, 2023

Driving innovative solutions for advancing use of ‘plastic’ roads

In partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), researchers from the Mizzou Asphalt Pavement and Innovation Lab (MAPIL) recently created a real-world test road using recycled materials like scrap tires and plastic waste along a portion of Interstate 155 in the Missouri Bootheel.

May 23, 2023

Jin works to advance technology to solve climate challenges, meet energy demands

Yue Jin has been interested in nuclear power as a clean energy source since his undergraduate studies at a top-ranked university in China. So, after completing a PhD from Pennsylvania State University and working as a post-doctoral fellow at MIT, he saw Mizzou as an obvious next step.

May 8, 2023

Graduate student to use environmental engineering, data analysis skills at NASA

He grew up in a water-strapped village in Afghanistan, worked as a water engineer who helped similar communities and wants to continue to conduct research around environmental problems while teaching future generations. In the meantime, Jaweed Nazary will spend his summer working at NASA.

May 5, 2023

Pioneer in degradation of ‘forever chemicals’ brings research to Mizzou

Before most of his peers knew them as “forever chemicals,” Feng “Frank” Xiao knew they were a problem. It was the early 2010s, and he was reviewing Centers for Disease Control data when he noticed a disturbing trend. Pre- and polyfluoroalkyls (PFAS) — compounds mass marketed since the 1940s — were showing up in more than 95% of blood samples, and they appeared to be wreaking havoc on human health.

May 4, 2023

Krishnaswamy shares solutions for a zero hunger world at AAAS Conference

More than 2 billion people in the world face hidden hunger and malnutrition, even as 1.3 billion tons of edible food is either lost or wasted every year. Meanwhile, it’s estimated that the global human population will increase to 9-10 billion over the next 50 years, putting even more strain on food production. These are overwhelmingly complex problems. Assistant Professor Kiruba Krishnaswamy has a way of making solutions sound simple.