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Events

Apr
3
CANCELLED - EES Seminar: Junhong Chen
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering
2:00 PM A230, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILS
Molecular Engineering of Field-Effect Transistor Water Sensors Based on 2D Nanomaterials
Abstract
The National Academy of Engineering identified “providing access to clean water” as one of the top ten grand challenges for engineering in the 21st century. A central requirement for safe drinking water is the availability of low-cost and real-time water quality monitoring. Current detection methods for critical analytes in water are often too expensive or unsuitable for in-situ and real-time detection. The unmet need is evidenced by the insufficient onsite water quality monitoring along the water distribution line and at the point of use that has led to major catastrophes such as the Flint Water Crisis due to the deterioration in water quality within water distribution systems. This talk will unveil a powerful approach to real-time water sensors through molecular engineering of 2D nanomaterials in a field-effect transistor platform. The working principle of the sensor is that the conductivity of 2D nanomaterial channel changes upon binding of chemical or biological species to molecular probes anchored on the nanomaterial surface. As such, the presence and the concentration of analytes (e.g., heavy metals, bacteria, and nutrients) can be determined by measuring the sensor resistance change. The patented technology allows for real-time detection of deadly contaminants with unprecedented sensitivity and selectivity in field settings for one-time testing or in-line continuous flow testing. The sensor signals can be wirelessly transmitted to a central control station so that the health status of the entire water distribution system could be monitored remotely in real time. The envisioned smart water distribution system can significantly mitigate risks to ensure a safe water supply. The talk will focus on the molecular engineering aspects of the sensor device (e.g., engineering nanomaterial channel, molecular probe, and device passivation) through both theoretical and experimental approaches. The talk will end with a brief introduction on the translation of the platform technology from concept to prototype product through partnership with industries.
Bio
Junhong Chen is currently Professor of Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago and Lead Water Strategist & Senior Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory. Prior to coming to Chicago, Dr. Chen served as a program director for the Engineering Research Centers (ERC) program of the US National Science Foundation (NSF). He also served as a co-chair of the NSF-wide ERC Working Group to design the ERC Planning Grants program and the Gen-4 ERC program. In addition, Dr. Chen was a representative from the Engineering Directorate serving on the NSF-wide Working Groups for NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) and NSF Research Traineeship (NRT). Prior to joining NSF in May 2017, he was a regent scholar of the University of Wisconsin System, a Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, and an Excellence in Engineering Faculty Fellow in Nanotechnology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). He served as the director of NSF Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) on Water Equipment & Policy (WEP) for six years. He founded NanoAffix Science LLC to commercialize real-time water sensors based on 2D nanomaterials. Dr. Chen received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from University of Minnesota in 2002 and was a postdoctoral scholar in chemical engineering at California Institute of Technology from 2002 to 2003. His current research focuses on nanomaterial innovation for sustainable energy and environment. Dr. Chen has published over 250 journal papers and has been listed as a highly cited researcher (top 1%) in materials science/cross-field by Clarivate Analytics over the last three years. Dr. Chen’s research has led to 9 issued patents, 5 pending patents, and 13 licensing agreements. He is a pioneer in technology commercialization through exemplary industrial partnership and the university start-up company. Dr. Chen is an elected fellow of National Academy of Inventors and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). He is a recipient of the International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM) Medal. His start-up company, NanoAffix, is a recipient of the 2016 Wisconsin Innovation Award.
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TIME Friday, April 3, 2020 at 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
LOCATION A230, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Tierney Acott    tierney-acott@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering
Sep
8
Welcome & Breakfast for New McCormick PhD Students
McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
9:00 AM LR2 & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILS
Enjoy a welcome from Dean Christopher A. Schuh and other McCormick leaders, and receive a Northwestern Engineering T-shirt. A free light breakfast on the Tech East Plaza will follow.
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TIME Monday, September 8, 2025 at 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
LOCATION LR2 & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
Sep
10
CEE Department BBQ
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
4:00 PM Dawes House
EVENT DETAILS
TBA
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TIME Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
LOCATION Dawes House   
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CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Sep
12
New Undergraduate Fall 2025 Registration
University Academic Calendar
All Day
EVENT DETAILS
New Undergraduate Fall 2025 Registration
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TIME Friday, September 12, 2025
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CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR University Academic Calendar
Sep
12
New Graduate Student Orientation
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
9:00 AM M345, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILS
TBA
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TIME Friday, September 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
LOCATION M345, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Sep
15
Welcome & Luncheon for New Full-time Graduate Students
McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
11:00 AM Ryan Auditorium & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILS
Enjoy a welcome from Dean Christopher A. Schuh and other McCormick leaders, and receive a Northwestern Engineering T-shirt. A free lunch on the Tech East Plaza will follow.
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TIME Monday, September 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
LOCATION Ryan Auditorium & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
Sep
16
Fall Classes Begin. Change of Registration (Drop/Add) Late registration for returning students begins
University Academic Calendar
All Day
EVENT DETAILS
Fall Classes Begin. Change of Registration (Drop/Add) Late registration for returning students begins
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TIME Tuesday, September 16, 2025
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CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR University Academic Calendar
Sep
24
SPREE Seminar
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
11:00 AM A230, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILS
TBA
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TIME Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
LOCATION A230, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Sep
26
EES Seminar- Levia Straka
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
2:00 PM A230, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILS
TBA
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TIME Friday, September 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
LOCATION A230, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Sep
29
AED-MPM Seminar
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
11:00 AM A230, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILS
TBA
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TIME Monday, September 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
LOCATION A230, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Oct
1
SPREE Seminar
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
11:00 AM A230, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILS
TBA
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TIME Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
LOCATION A230, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Oct
3
EES Seminar- Hee-Deung Park
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
2:00 PM A230, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILS
TBA
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TIME Friday, October 3, 2025 at 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
LOCATION A230, Technological Institute    map it
ADD TO CALENDAR
CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Oct
6
AED-MPM Seminar
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
11:00 AM A230, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILS
TBA
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TIME Monday, October 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
LOCATION A230, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Oct
8
SPREE Seminar
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
11:00 AM A230, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILS
TBA
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TIME Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
LOCATION A230, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Oct
10
EES Seminar- Benjamin Barrios Cerda
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
2:00 PM A230, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILS
TBA
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TIME Friday, October 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
LOCATION A230, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Oct
11
CEE Career Fair
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
9:00 AM Louis Room, Norris University Center
EVENT DETAILS
Civil and Environmental Engineering Career Fair.
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TIME Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
LOCATION Louis Room, Norris University Center    map it
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CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Oct
13
AED-MPM Seminar
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
11:00 AM A230, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILS
TBA
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TIME Monday, October 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
LOCATION A230, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Oct
15
SPREE Seminar
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
11:00 AM A230, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILS
TBA
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TIME Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
LOCATION A230, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Oct
17
Jimmy Quon Lecture: Valorizing Gas Streams Containing CO2 and CO- Bruce Rittman
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
2:00 PM A230, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILS
Abstract: Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most important greenhouse gas, and carbon monoxide (CO) is acutely toxic. Release of these gases must be halted. One promising approach is microbiological valorization of CO2 and CO in off-gas streams. Valorization means converting the CO2 or CO to valuable organic compounds that are feedstock for the chemical and energy industries. This talk describes two distinctly different examples of valorization. The first example is valorizing the CO2 in digester biogas using photosynthetic microalgae. The benefits are to generate more methane (CH4) while converting the biogas (~65% CH4) to higher-value biomethane (>97% CH4). The second example is conversion of syngas (a mixture of CO, CO2, and hydrogen (H2)) to organic acids and alcohols using CO-fermenting and chain-elongating bacteria.
Bio: Dr. Bruce E. Rittmann is Regents Professor of Environmental Engineering and Director of the Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology at Arizona State University. His research focuses on the science and engineering needed to “manage microbial communities to provide services to society.” Services include generating renewable energy, cleaning water and soil, and improving human health. Dr. Rittmann is a member of the National Academy of Engineering; a Fellow of AAAS, WEF, IWA, AEESP, and NAI; and a Distinguished Member of ASCE. Dr. Rittmann was awarded the first Clarke Prize for Outstanding Achievements in Water Science and Technology from the NWRI, the Walter Huber Research Prize and the Simon Freese Award from ASCE, the G.M. Fair Award from AAEES, the Perry L. McCarty/AEESP Founders Award, and the Camp Applied Research Award from WEF. He is the co-winner of the 2018 Stockholm Water Prize. Dr. Rittmann has published over 880 journal articles, books, and book chapters, and he has 25 patents. With Dr. Perry McCarty, Dr. Rittmann co-authored the textbook Environmental Biotechnology: Principles and Applications (McGraw-Hill Book Co.), which is now out in its second edition.
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TIME Friday, October 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
LOCATION A230, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Oct
20
AED-MPM Seminar
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
11:00 AM A230, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILS
TBA
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TIME Monday, October 20, 2025 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
LOCATION A230, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Oct
22
SPREE Seminar
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
11:00 AM A230, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILS
TBA
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TIME Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
LOCATION A230, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Oct
24
EES Seminar- Adductomics: A New Tool in the Exposomics Toolbox- Bill Funk
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
2:00 PM A230, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILS
TBA
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TIME Friday, October 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
LOCATION A230, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Oct
27
AED-MPM Seminar
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
11:00 AM A230, Technological Institute
EVENT DETAILS
TBA
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TIME Monday, October 27, 2025 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
LOCATION A230, Technological Institute    map it
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CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
 
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