* denotes 2023 Innovation Award Winner
Refractory Multi-Principal-Element Alloy for harsh-service conditions
New alloy containing Mo,W,Ta,Ti,Zr has been synthesized for high-temperature (>1000oC) applications where phase stability, strength, creep resistance and high tensile ductility are desired. The alloy achieves oxidation resistance with self-healing borosilicate coating.Elasto- and Magneto-caloric materials for solid-state heating and cooling applications
We have developed solid state prototypes that enable heating and cooling applications without the use of traditional refrigerants. The environmentally-friendly technology has zero global warming potential and saves energy for heating and cooling.Aluminum Cerium Alloys and Composites for Harsh Service Conditions
The Al-Ce alloys and composites can be readily synthesized into components that operate at elevated temperatures and/or corrosive environments. The materials exhibit increased retention of strength compared to existing commercial alloys for applications where service temperatures exceed 200 °C. Moreover, the alloys show excellent corrosion resistance in salt environments.High strength aluminum/calcium composite conductor cable
Integration of calcium into aluminum conductors greatly increases the strength to weight ratio compared to aluminum with minimal impact on conductivity, allowing for production of high voltage conductors without steel cores and less sag due to reduced weight.The Joule Hive™ Thermal Battery for Industrial Decarbonization
The Joule Hive™ thermal battery, turns intermittent renewable electricity into constant industrial-grade heat up to 1800+oC. It is a stack of electrically conductive firebricks in an insulated container, which may be installed on-site as a drop-in replacement to fossil fuels in even the hottest industries.A novel low-cost particulate matter sensor on stationary, manned and unmanned vehicles
In this project, we place commercial low-cost particulate matter sensors in three different modes of operation in order to characterize the horizontal and vertical profiles of atmospheric particle pollution. These modes are multidimensional: (1) stationary, (2) mobile on 2D manned vehicles, and (3) mobile on unmanned 3D vehicles.Biofilter for Stormwater Remediation
A biofiltration module that uses a novel 3D-printed media that provides a very high surface area for microorganism attachment and development, which is part of a new biofiltration device to enhance nutrient (Nitrogen and Phosphorus) removal in runoff from urban or agricultural watersheds.Biochar adsorptive filtration media
Biochar is an adsorbent that can be produced inexpensively as a byproduct of energy production and sequesters carbon, which was found to rival the removal efficiency of the best available filter media for PFAS from drinking water.Networked sensing of lead in water distribution systems
Working with low-cost sensors developed at the University of Michigan, we are networking the sensors to gain system-level insights on lead release in a water pipe network.Corvallis, OR
engineering.oregonstate.edu/Academics/Degrees/Humanitarian-Engineering
Cleaner, More Efficient Cordwood Heating
Residential wood heating contributes over 50% of daily wintertime fine particle emissions in the US. A new heater design applies fan-driven jets of air to minimize smoke over the complete burn cycle and a heat-exchanger retrofit enhances the fuel efficiency of existing and new stoves.Developing the Chemical Health Risk Identification System (CHRIS) for Drinking Water Sources
The Chemical Health Risk Identification System (CHRIS) will help consumers, environmental engineers, and regulators rapidly assess potential chemical risks in drinking water based on an evidence-based algorithm for chemical risk factors globally, while providing recommendations for appropriate treatment methods and interventions to mitigate chemical risk in drinking water.An experimental study to develop affordable non-invasive radon mitigation system For single-family dwellings
An alternative mitigation system or measurable guidelines that can be embedded in the building operation and maintenance practices. The researchers will examine the effectiveness of using three building design parameters that haven’t been systematically used for radon mitigation in the past; ventilation, air filtration, and detailing patternFLUIX Project Stellar - The future of cooling on Earth & in Space
FLUIX is solving the problem of inefficient data centers by developing a pumpless self-boiling cooling solution enabling Earth's data centers to be efficient enough to be powered by renewable energy. Leading to a 40% energy savings, 45% cut in operational CO2 emission, and increased compute density by 200%.Advanced alkaline water electrolysis stack for green hydrogen production
Robust design of advanced alkaline water electrolysis cells to overcome drawbacks such as low current operation, slow response to variable loads, and on/off durability.Real-Time Paramagnetic Sensing for Oil Field Optimization and Process Control
We can measure in real-time some unique quantum properties of fluids as they pass through our device and combine with artificial intelligence to extract useful features from that big data to allow energy companies to produce oil more efficiently and with fewer chemicals.Natrion: A Leading Technologies’ Company in Solid-State Battery Components
Natrion is commercializing a drop-in battery component called LISIC that can be rapidly implemented into existing manufacturing by battery and automotive OEMs to eliminate fire risk, increase performance and decrease cost at the battery pack level.Permanent CO2 Sequestration During Cement Production
Our solution would require the addition of our proprietary reactor to augment the kiln currently being used at cement factories across the world. Our system would allow the CO2 emissions to be permanently sequestered as carbon within the resultant concrete and shows the potential to lengthen the concrete lifespan.Membrane Biofilm Reactor (MBfR)
Precient employs the MBfR to capture critical minerals and materials (CMM) -- including Rare Earth Elements, copper, nickel, Platinum Group Metals, gold, silver, selenium, and uranium -- and remove regulated pollutants – including arsenic, chlorinated compounds, and nitrate -- that are present in water streams at mines, refineries, and recyclers.River Otter Reactor (ROR) - a waste and water solution system
The River Otter Reactor (ROR) is a waste and water treatment system which destroys toxic forever chemicals (PFAS) in water supplies while converting waste into renewable fuels. ROR can be deployed anywhere people are producing waste to reduce landfill or incinerator use, decontaminate water, and locally produce fuels.Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells
Perovskite tandem solar cells layer a perovskite light absorbing layer on top of silicon solar cells. This allows the cell to capture more light and increases efficiency of the solar cell beyond silicon cells' 30% theoretical maximum limit. As a cost-effective technology, it offers solution to increasing renewable energy demand.Ammonia Powered Fuel Cell-based Electric Vehicle
The new vehicle eliminates the battery and charging issue. It is totally based on ammonia-to-wheel energy conversion and there is no emission as compared with other fuels such as methane. This is a much-advanced development of the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle as the high-pressure issue of hydrogen is eliminated.Highly Conductive Covalently Bonded Electrodes for Fast Charging Li-ion Batteries
To compete with the re-fuelling times of gas-powered vehicles and promote mass adoption of electric vehicles, a maximum of15-minute charging time for Li-ion batteries is necessary as per the DOE. Waterloo researchers have developed a replacement architecture that utilizes covalent bonding to form a network of bound active particles.Xairgen APEGs (Air Powered Electric Generators)
A new technology using multiple turbines creating a high-pressure air stream to rotate the main rotor that houses magnets which interacts with copper coils (stators) to generate electricity. APEGs will be smaller than current technology for buildings, transportation, and military as portable units, minimizing the use of toxic batteries.