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Department Events

Events

• Oct

  11

  EES Seminar- Reimagining Water Treatment Through Advanced Material and Chemical Approaches: Multifunctional, Self-Assembling Membranes and Novel PFAS Treatment Processes- John Fortner

  McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

  2:00 PM A230, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  Despite notable advancements in water treatment, addressing contaminants of emerging concern, such as perfluorinated compounds, endocrine disruptors, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides, remains a challenge for conventional processes. This seminar will explore creative approaches to rethink water treatment technologies, emphasizing both effectiveness and sustainability. Specifically, I will discuss my lab's advancements, focusing on the development of novel, multifunctional membranes and three innovative processes for treating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). To begin, I will present our research on aggregation-resistant, 'crumpled' graphene oxide (CGO) based nanocomposites that enable unique membrane functionality for water treatment. As-synthesized, core-shell nanostructured CGO composites exhibit significantly enhanced aqueous stability and optimized reactivity due to tunable composite geometry and surface chemistry – along with ease of encapsulating secondary functional particles (e.g., photocatalysts). As a self-assembled film, CGO nanocomposites provide high water flux while efficiently rejecting and/or (photo)degrading model aqueous pollutants. Further, CGO assemblies can be designed to have regenerative (and exceptional) antimicrobial properties. Lastly, these CGO-nanocomposites uniquely allow for a novel, in situ fouling management strategy via magnetic-based separation and self-(re)assembly. The second part of the presentation will focus on newly developed PFAS treatment technologies with promising application potential. First, I will present our research on ultra-high capacity, multifunctional nanoscale sorbents designed and optimized for low-energy PFAS separation and recovery. I will then discuss an environmentally friendly pathway to covalently transform PFAS, particularly perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), into insoluble esters. Finally, I will introduce unique photocatalyst-based composites capable of broad, complete, and rapid PFAS defluorination under UV light at room temperature and pH-neutral conditions.

  Bio: John is Professor in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at Yale University. His research program is focused on developing and advancing water-related technologies and understanding/engineering interfacial processes, typically at the nanoscale, as they relate to environmental-based health, security, and energy challenges. John held postdoctoral fellowships at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETHZ) and Rice University as a U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) fellow. He obtained his B.S. from Texas A&M University and Ph.D. from Rice University in environmental engineering.

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  TIME Friday, October 11, 2024 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

  16

  SPREE Seminar- Ahmed Elbana

  McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

  11:00 AM A230, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  TBA

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  TIME Wednesday, October 16, 2024 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

  18

  EES Seminar- Satish Myneni

  McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

  2:00 PM A230, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  TBA

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  TIME Friday, October 18, 2024 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

  19

  CEE Fall Career Fair

  McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

  10:00 AM Louis Room, Norris University Center

  EVENT DETAILS

  Annual CEE Fall Career Fair for students.

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  TIME Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 10:00 AM - 1:00 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

  25

  EES Seminar- Sublethal Bacterial Stress Exerted by Engineered Nanomaterials (ENMs) at Very Low Doses: Effects of Environmental Conditions- Shushan Wu

  McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

  2:00 PM A230, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  Abstract: Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) can alter surface properties of cells and disturb cellular functions and gene expression through direct and indirect contact, exerting unintended impacts on human and ecological health. However, the effects of interactions among environmental factors, such as light, surrounding media, and ENM mixtures, on the mechanisms of ENM toxicity, especially at sublethal concentrations, are much less explored and understood. Recent studies have shown that nanoparticles can facilitate bacteriophage infection which contributes to transduction, an understudied yet crucial pathway of antibacterial gene transfer in bacteria. Therefore, we first evaluated cell viability and outer membrane permeability of E. coli as a function of exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of ENMs, including metal (n-Ag) and metal oxide (n-TiO2, n-Al2O3, n-ZnO, n-CuO, and n-SiO2) nanoparticles under dark and simulated sunlight illumination in MOPS, a synthetic buffer, and Lake Michigan Water (LMW), a freshwater medium. Then we investigated the effects of photoactive ENMs on bacteriophage infection under sublethal concentrations and tried to unravel the mechanisms in gene expression associated with F-pili and membrane proteins. Our results reveal the significant sublethal bacterial stress exerted by ENMs and ENM mixtures at the cell surface in natural environments at low doses, which potentially affects cell susceptibility to toxicants and virus, such as phage infection and eventually causes unpredictable impacts on overall ecological health.

  Bio: Shushan Wu is a 6th year PhD student in Professor Kimberly Gray’s group. Her work unveils the sublethal bacterial stress exerted by engineered nanomaterials under environmental conditions using advanced biological techniques. Shushan graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in civil and environmental engineering before pursuing graduate studies at Northwestern University.

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  TIME Friday, October 25, 2024 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)

• Nov

  1

  EES Seminar- Environmental Engineers Are the Circular Carbon Engineers- Jason Ren

  McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

  2:00 PM A230, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  Abstract: Achieving carbon circularity and net zero emissions requires a comprehensive understanding of emissions and re-valorization of waste carbon, while keeping fossil carbon underground. Environmental engineers are uniquely positioned to lead sustainable carbon management as the “circular carbon engineers”. For example, modern wastewater treatment is evolving from “removal-centered” to a “recovery-oriented” approach, and the increasing availability of low-cost renewable electricity presents new opportunities to convert "electrons to molecules". This presentation will highlight recent efforts to address knowledge gaps in the complex GHG emission profiles of the wastewater sector, utilizing both field studies and data science methods. It will also discuss technologies for electrifying treatment processes, co-valorizing wastewater and CO2, performing electrolysis of impaired water, and producing commodity chemicals using electroactive membranes.

  Bio: Dr. Zhiyong Jason Ren (https://ren.princeton.edu) is a professor in the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University. He leads the Princeton Water & Energy Technologies (WET) Lab with research focusing on water sector decarbonization and digitalization. His group uses electrochemistry, microbiology, and data science tools to gain insights into the fundamental determining factors, and they develop models and technologies for resource recovery during environmental and chemical processes. Dr. Ren has received numerous recognitions including the Walter J. Weber, Jr. AEESP Frontier in Research Award (2024), the Paul L. Busch Award (2021), and Walter L. Huber Research Prize (2020). He is a Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry and International Water Association. He is an Associate Editor for Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T) and ES&T Letters. Ren received his Ph.D. in environmental engineering from Penn State University.

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  TIME Friday, November 1, 2024 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)

• Nov

  8

  EES Seminar- Microbial Community Engineering for Clean Water, Bioenergy Generation, and Resource Recovery- George Wells

  McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

  2:00 PM A230, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  TBA

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  TIME Friday, November 8, 2024 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)

• Nov

  13

  Osterberg Lecture- Angelo Amorosi

  McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

  11:00 AM A230, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  TBA

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  TIME Wednesday, November 13, 2024 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)

• Nov

  15

  EES Seminar- Unraveling the Role of Biological and Mineral Catalysts in Natures Towards Innovating Sustainable Solutions- Ludmilla Aristilde

  McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

  2:00 PM A230, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  TBA

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  TIME Friday, November 15, 2024 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)

• Dec

  4

  SPREE Seminar- Doug Jerolmack

  McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

  11:00 AM 230, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  TBA

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  TIME Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

  LOCATION 230, Technological Institute    map it

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  CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)