Research
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Areas of Research
Urban Systems

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Energy

Credits: A. Rotta Loria

Research Topics

Energy geosystems • underground thermal energy storage systems • bioenergy • geothermal systems • input-output models for design & lifecycle assessment • freight electrification • Energy-water nexus • energy-water-food-waste-materials cycles • subsurface urban heat islands 

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Resource Recovery & Reuse

Credits: G. Wells

Research Topics

Underground thermal energy recovery & storage systems •  nutrient (N&P) recovery • biogas/bioenergy systems • microbial electrochemical systems • input-output models for design & lifecycle assessment • management & recovery of subsurface fluids • biorefinery • lignin valorization • recycled aggregate concrete • micro- & nano-plastics • Drinking Water Treatment Residuals • Metals Recovery 

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Climate Mitigation, Adaptation & Resilience

Credits: A. Rotta Loria

Research Topics

Geological sequestration of CO2 • geohazard assessment • mobility decision-making during no-notice & planned emergencies, disruptions, & evacuations • nature-based infrastructure • urban vulnerability & resilience to extreme weather • resilience & adaptive design • uncertainty in design & decision making 

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CIRCULAR WATER SYSTEMS

Credits: Y. Won & K. Gray

Research Topics

Bioprocesses for water & wastewater treatment, nutrient removal & recovery • ecological engineering • wetland structure & function • polyelectrolyte complex membranes for fouling control • advanced oxidation & disinfection • molecular design of nanofiltration & RO membranes • safe water reuse • community-centered resilience solutions • Equitable climate vulnerability and climate justice • urban flooding controls • Metal Contaminants

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Structure & Infrastructure

Credits: A. Derrick & A. Lin

Research Topics

Energy geostructures & geosystems • tall buildings • structural health monitoring • statistical performance modeling • maintenance optimization • finance & economics (e.g. privatization) • tough cements • connected systems • urban micromobility • urban aerial mobility • last mile logistics • adaptive retrofits • multi-functional optimization • stormwater control infrastructure 

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Automation

Credits: A. Stathopoulos

Research Topics

Autonomous vehicles • construction robotics • large-scale additive manufacturing • automated design • control • sensors • image analysis  • structural health monitoring • process design • profess optimization • automation business models and adoption • shared and electrified automation 

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Geosystems

Credits: F. Ciardo

Research Topics

Geoenergy harvesting • subsurface treatments & storage • organic-rich geosystems • geochemical fluid-rock interaction • geohazard mitigation • induced seismicity • soil-machine interaction • soil-structure interaction • urban subsurface heat islands • earthquake mechanics • urban surface-groundwater interactions

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