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  • Jul
    29

    CAE Seminar- Beyond Strength: Electron-Conductive Concrete for Energy Storage and Infrastructure- Franz-Josef Ulm

    McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

    11:00 AM A230, Technological Institute

    EVENT DETAILS

    Abstract: Concrete is renowned for its structural strength, yet cement production is responsible for nearly 8% of global CO₂ emissions. By incorporating small amounts of carbon black, however, concrete can be made electrically conductive, opening the door to functionalities far beyond structural support. Electron-conductive concrete (EC³) enables applications ranging from selfheating infrastructure and large-scale energy storage to the potential wireless charging of electric vehicles traveling on conductive roadways. This talk will introduce the fundamental principles underlying EC³ and highlight emerging applications of this multifunctional material. No background in electrochemistry is assumed. Instead, I will show how expanding the traditional concrete toolbox to include electrically conductive bulk materials fundamentally changes our understanding of what concrete can do. Rather than serving solely as a structural material, concrete can become an active component of future energy and transportation infrastructure—and part of the solution to a more sustainable built environment.

    Bio: Franz-Josef Ulm (Ph.D., Habil., Dr. h.c., P.E., NAE) is the Class of 1922 Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Trained as a structural engineer at the Technical University of Munich and the École des Ponts ParisTech, he joined the MIT faculty in 1999. He is the founding director of the MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub (established in 2009) and, since 2024, the founding director of the MIT EC³ Hub, which advances research and development on electrically conductive concrete and energy storage in concrete infrastructure.

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    TIME Wednesday, July 29, 2026 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
    16

    CEE Faculty Retreat

    McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

    10:00 AM 1702 Chicago Ave

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

    LOCATION 1702 Chicago Ave   

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    CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

  • Sep
    16

    CEE Department BBQ

    McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

    4:00 PM

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

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    CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

  • Sep
    23

    Fall 2026 Classes Begin

    University Academic Calendar

    All Day

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Wednesday, September 23, 2026

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    CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

  • Oct
    3

    CEE Fall Career Fair

    McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

    9:00 AM

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

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    CONTACT Andrew Liguori    andrew.liguori@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick - Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)