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Events

Jan
20
SPREE Seminar: Jonny Rutqvist
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering
11:00 AM
EVENT DETAILS
Coupled Processes Modeling in Energy Geosciences
Coupled thermal-hydro-mechanical (THM) processes modeling is indispensable for the design and performance assessment of energy geosciences activities, including nuclear waste disposal, hydrocarbon and geothermal energy exploitation, carbon sequestration, and subsurface storage. Coupled THM numerical models are most useful if can be validated against field observations at relevant spatial and temporal scales for the problem at hand. In this presentation, three examples of such large-scale model validations are presented. The model simulations were conducted with the TOUGH-FLAC simulator that was first developed and applied in the early 2000s associated with previous plans for a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, U.S.A. At Yucca Mountain, coupled processes model validation was conducted against several underground experiments, culminating with the Yucca Mountain Drift Scale test, which still to date is the largest underground heating experiment in the world. Modeling of this experiment provided validation of the coupled THM model that was then applied for predicting the long-term (10,000 years) performance of the repository host rock. The processes modeling has also been extensively applied associated with geologic carbon sequestration. Here coupled THM modeling is important for evaluating the potential for leakage of CO2 through sealing rock formations and for evaluating the potential for induced seismicity. In this context, pioneering work was done associated with the In Salah CO2 storage project in Algeria. At In Salah, a TOUGH-FLAC coupled THM model was validated against field observations of ground surface deformation monitoring by satellite (InSAR) technology. Ground surface uplift could be detected from the underground CO2 injection taking place at 2 km depth and the magnitude and spatial extent of the surface uplift were correlated with reservoir pressure changes. However, detailed modeling of the observed ground surface uplift also revealed the development of a large scale fracture zone, about 5 km long, in the lower part of the caprock, which eventually lead to the termination of the project. The final example involves the Northwest Geysers Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Demonstration Project. This EGS demonstration project is located at the margin of The Geysers geothermal field, California; the largest geothermal energy producer in the world. The Northwest Geysers EGS Demonstration Project involved hydraulic simulation of a cubic kilometer sized rock volume during a one-year massive cold-water injection into the very hot >250°C steam field. The TOUGH-FLAC modeling of observed ground surface deformations and seismicity releveled a network of faults that is important to consider for evaluating the long-term production and sustainability of such an EGS. These three examples, along with numerous other studies, demonstrate the great benefits of effective coupled THM modeling that will be crucial for resolving the challenges of a fast growing demand for subsurface energy and storage.
Bio
Dr. Jonny Rutqvist is a Senior Scientist and Head of Hydrogeology Department, Energy Geosciences Division, at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). He holds a PhD degree in Engineering Geology from the Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden. For over 30 years, Dr. Rutqvist’s research has been focused on geomechanics and modeling of coupled thermal, hydraulic, mechanical, and chemical (THMC) processes in geological media for a wide range of geoscientific and geoengineering applications, including geologic carbon sequestration, nuclear waste disposal, geothermal energy extraction, unconventional oil and gas, and underground energy storage. Dr. Rutqvist has authored over 200 peer-reviewed journal papers, and is a four-time recipient of the American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA) Awards.
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TIME Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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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
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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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