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Events

Jan
29
EES Seminar: Tiezheng Tong
McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering
2:00 PM
EVENT DETAILS
Membrane distillation for hypersaline brine management: Material innovation, resilience, and energy consumption
Membrane distillation (MD), a hybrid thermal-membrane desalination technology, has recently received tremendous interest as a sustainable technology for the treatment of hypersaline brines. MD is tolerant to higher salinity (than reverse osmosis) and capable of leveraging low-grade thermal energy such as waste heat and geothermal energy. However, several fundamental aspects need to be addressed for industrial adoption of MD. In this seminar, I will present and discuss such aspects from the perspectives of material innovation, resilience, and energy consumption. First, MD performance is constrained by membrane wetting caused by low surface tension contaminants. Accordingly, omniphobic membranes with high wetting resistance have been used to improve the resilience of MD. Recently, we discovered a trade-off between membrane wetting resistance and water vapor permeability in MD. Such a trade-off, pertaining to the water-air interfacial area, needs to be considered in the design framework of high-performance MD membranes. Second, MD is susceptible to mineral scaling because scalants are accumulated in hypersaline brines. I will elucidate the different mechanisms, behaviors, and mitigation strategies of gypsum and silica scaling, two of the most common scaling in membrane desalination, highlighting the importance of understanding mineral scaling at the molecular level. Third, the economic viability of MD is determined by the availability of low-grade thermal energy, which has not been fully understood in the literature. I will describe our investigation on the feasibility of using waste heat to power MD for on-site and centralized treatment of oil and gas produced water. At the conclusion of the seminar, I will discuss the prospects and research needs associated with MD to improve environmental sustainability at the water-energy nexus.
Bio: Dr. Tiezheng Tong is currently an assistant professor Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University. He received his Ph.D. degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Northwestern University in 2015, and then worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Yale University. Dr. Tong holds a B.S. degree (2008) with honors in Environmental Engineering from Beijing Normal University, a M.S. degree (2010) in Environmental Science and Engineering from Tsinghua University, and a second M.S. degree (2011) in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Northwestern University. He is the leading author or co-author of ~50 peer-reviewed journal articles with citation of ~1,800 globally. He is the recipient of several academic and professional awards, including the Young Membrane Scientist Award of North American Membrane Society (2020) and Environmental Chemistry Graduate Student Award from American Chemistry Society (2012). Dr. Tong and his group applies interdisciplinary approach to improve sustainability at the water-energy-health nexus. His research interests include (i) design and development of novel membrane materials and processes for sustainable water supply; (ii) environmental applications and implications of nanotechnology; and (iii) resource recovery from wastewater treatment processes.
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TIME Friday, January 29, 2021 at 2:00 PM - 3:00 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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