Institute for a Sustainable Future News
Purdue researchers travel to help households, businesses recover from LA wildfires
February 19, 2025
Andrew Whelton (CCE/EEE) has been in the Los Angeles area to assist households and businesses affected by last month's Palisades fire and Eaton fire. His assistance has included collecting data on the community's needs to better inform the response and sharing observations and expertise with local groups leading in the recovery efforts.
Purdue researchers travel to help households, businesses recover from LA wildfires
6 Purdue engineers elected as National Academy of Engineering members
February 19, 2025
Congratulations to Yuehwern Yih (IE) on being elected to in the National Academy of Engineer's class of 2025. She is elected for her contributions to supply chain management systems in humanitarian relief efforts and health care.
6 Purdue engineers elected as National Academy of Engineering members
New Purdue compounds could make conventional personal care products sustainable
February 19, 2025
Researchers Jeffrey Youngblood (MSE/EEE) and Carlos Martinez (MSE) have developed soy-based materials that reduce surface tension in liquids as well as commercial petroleum-based materials. The new materials could make personal care products more sustainable while maintaining product quality.
New Purdue compounds could make conventional personal care products sustainable
Alternate material could cut solar cell costs by more than 75%
February 19, 2025
Letian Dou (CHE) has led a team of researchers to help drive costs down and efficiency up with a new development in solar energy with non-silicon, light-absorbing semiconducting material.
Alternate material could cut solar cell costs by more than 75%
In Print: 'Lean Sustainability'
February 13, 2025
Congratulations Dr. Laux! Chad Laux (CIT) is a member of the ISF Leadership Team and co-leads The Research Community on Sustainable Communities. Dr. Laux was featured in Purdue Today for his award-winning book, "Lean Sustainability: A Pathway to a Circular Economy." The book illustrates an integrated lean and sustainability approach applicable to manufacturing, health care, service and other industries.
Wang reports on new Purdue technologies for producing rare earth and battery elements
February 13, 2025
In her presentation to the Board of Trustees, Linda Wang, the Drs. Norman and Jane Li Professor of Chemical Engineering, highlighted her eco-friendly and economical technologies for producing high-purity rare earth and battery elements from wastes and ores. Her group is collaborating with ReElement Technologies to build a commercial plant in Marion, Indiana, to produce these critical materials. Their effort aims to reduce supply chain risks while enhancing national security and economic prosperity.
Wang reports on new Purdue technologies for producing rare earth and battery elements
Bowman appointed new dean of Purdue's College of Health and Human Sciences
February 13, 2025
Congratulations to Aaron Bowman (HSCI) on being appointed the Dean of Purdue's College of Health and Human Sciences! Dr. Bowman led the School of Health Sciences, and also the college as interim dean since November 2023. All the while, he has maintained a robust research agenda as a toxicologist interested in the intersection of environmental and genetic risk factors of neuronal dysfunction and disease using human stem cell-based models. He is a member of the Environmental Stressors research community and a long-standing supporter of inter-college collaborations to advance sustainability education, training and research.
Bowman appointed new dean of Purdue's College of Health and Human Sciences
John W. Sutherland named Distinguished Professor of Environmental and Ecological Engineering
February 13, 2025
Congratulations to John W. Sutherland (EEE) on being named a Distinguished Professor of Environmental and Ecological Engineering by Purdue University's Board of Trustees. Dr. Sutherland has been instrumental in advancing sustainability research, teaching and learning at Purdue and has consistently supported robust collaborations in many areas of sustainability while championing the innovative advancement of educational initiatives in environmental and ecological spaces. His research portfolio in advancing sustainability manufacturing is deep and global in scope and we appreciate his consistent support of ISF. His leadership in EEE has helped bring it to the level of excellence it now enjoys.
John W. Sutherland named Distinguished Professor of Environmental and Ecological Engineering
Particle science innovations focus on improving grain facility safety
February 13, 2025
Kingsly Ambrose (ABE) is featured for his work on preventing grain dust explosions, reducing grain damage, and improving fertilizer efficiency. His research has led to patents for dust monitoring systems and AI-driven calibration algorithms. By combining particle modeling and lab testing, he helps companies identify grain damage points, enhancing systems while tackling economic and environmental challenges in agriculture.
Particle science innovations focus on improving grain facility safety
Indiana ACPA Professor in Concrete Paving and Materials Science
February 13, 2025
Congratulations to Luna Lu (CCE) on being named as the Indiana ACPA Professor in Concrete Paving and Materials Science by Purdue University's Board of Trustees.
Indiana ACPA Professor in Concrete Paving and Materials Science