Environment and Water Resources

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Our research aims to address the impact of human activities on the environment and design systems to provide safe water, air and land for human habitation.

A person crouches before a body of water, in which sensors float.
“Brandon Wong, Research Fellow, Civil and Environmental Engineering, remotely activates valves to control the flow of water throughout an 11 square mile area of Ann Arbor. Wong and his team under Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Branko Kerkez created one of the most densely instrumented systems in the country. The experiment pushes the boundaries of what is achievable with the Internet of Water by using valves to instantly redesign these spaces collectively as a system ready to immediately adapt to unpredictable changes in storm patterns. Photo by Robert Coelius”

Ecohydrology and Hydraulic Engineering

Managing natural water systems and built water infrastructures, and understanding how large-scale climate and weather events impact water resource availability

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Close-up of a researcher inserting a syringe into a vial
Lauren Stadler, Environmental Engineering PhD Student, measures ammonia concentration levels in water samples in the Environmental and Water Resources Engineering Building on February 5, 2014

Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology

Understanding the fate of chemicals in natural water environments and in manmade systems, and developing processes for removing pollutants from water, wastewater and landfills

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A person pours pasteurized urine onto soil
Abe Noe-Hays is a co-founder of Rich Earth Institute. The institute promotes collecting and using human urine as a plant fertilizer. Here Abe applies pasteurized urine to a test bed of lettuce. Photo by Marcin Szczepanski/Senior Multimedia Producer, University of Michigan, College of Engineering

Environmental Chemistry and Soil Physics

Designing and implementing pollution prevention strategies, treating and controlling hazardous substances, and designing industrial processes and products that do not harm the environment

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Researcher uses equipment
CEE Researches look of clean tech solutions

Energy and Clean Tech

Developing innovations in energy storage, air and water treatment technologies, and sustainable industrial practices for a greener economy, powered by energy systems with a smaller carbon footprint and a reduced environmental impact

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