Sustainability

Integrated Teaching and Learning Program launches innovative 3D printing recycling initiative

Emily Adams — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 22:21:18 +0000

Integrated Teaching and Learning Program launches innovative 3D printing recycling initiative Emily Adams Thu, 09/25/2025 - 16:21

The College of Engineering and Applied Science is taking a step toward advancing campus sustainability, thanks to the Integrated Teaching and Learning Program’s new 3D printing recycling program.

The initiative transforms plastic waste from 3D printing into reusable materials, reducing landfill impact and supporting innovative student projects.

The idea originated in an engineering classroom, where a student team led by integrated design engineering major Ian Mcleod first explored ways to repurpose failed prints and excess support structures generated from PLA filament.

With the support of ITLP engineer Kathryn Penzkover, the concept was developed into a working system and later refined by Eli Post, an ITLP summer intern who is majoring in mechanical engineering. Today, this recycling process has been incorporated into the ITLP ecosystem, and sheets of this material are free for students to use.

The process involves collecting failed or excess PLA prints, grinding them into small fragments and using a T-shirt press to flatten the fragments into durable flat sheets. These sheets serve as raw material for laser cutting projects, offering students a sustainable alternative while conserving resources.

The project has already earned recognition on campus. The student team behind the recycling innovation won both first place and the People’s Choice Award in the Student Idea Showcase at the 2025 Campus Sustainability Summit. In addition, Post published a step-by-step Instructible, allowing others to replicate the process and extend its impact beyond the university.

Further support for the project came from the Engineering Excellence Fund, which awarded a grant to help purchase the polymer shredder. The investment provided the team with a reliable way to process PLA waste into uniform fragments, making the recycling workflow more efficient and scalable.

“What excites me most about this project is that this started with students who saw a problem and decided to solve it. By backing their creativity with mentorship and resources, we are not only cutting down on waste, we are showing future engineers that they have the power to drive real change,” said Kai Amey, director of engineering education and operations for the ITLP. “Incorporating recycled plastic into hands-on engineering education turns what would have been waste into a shared resource for students. By making these materials freely available, we are reducing our environmental impact while giving students new opportunities to innovate and create.”

The ITLP will continue to expand its recycling and sustainability initiatives, ensuring that hands-on engineering education is paired with responsible stewardship of resources.

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CU Engineering builds on sustainability leadership with new MS in sustainable engineering

Caroline Harrah — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 17:36:05 +0000

CU Engineering builds on sustainability leadership with new MS in sustainable engineering Caroline Harrah Mon, 09/22/2025 - 11:36

Caroline Harrah

The ��ɫ��Ƶ’s College of Engineering & Applied Science is building on its leadership in sustainability research and education with the launch of a new Master of Science in Sustainable Engineering.

Guided by the principle of sustainability “by design,” the program integrates a systems-level approach with advanced engineering in the context of ecological integrity, economic viability and human well-being, preparing graduates to tackle the world’s most urgent challenges with durable, real-world solutions.

From extreme weather to systems strained by growing demand to aging infrastructure, communities worldwide face mounting challenges in engineering systems that are resilient, efficient and human-centered. Meeting these needs requires engineers who can balance technical rigor with an understanding of economics, policy and the human and environmental trade-offs that shape decision-making.

Yet the shortage of professionals with this breadth of expertise has slowed progress at the very moment when industries and communities are seeking sustainable pathways forward.

“Our world is at a tipping point where sustainable engineering is essential to ensure resilient energy and water systems, infrastructure and materials for the future,” said Karl Linden, chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering. “��ɫ��Ƶ brings together world-class faculty, cutting-edge research and Boulder’s culture of innovation to prepare students not just to respond to this demand but to lead the global transition to a more sustainable future.”

��ɫ��Ƶ’s Master of Science in Sustainable Engineering features an integrated curriculum that brings together expertise from ��ɫ��Ƶ’s College of Engineering and Applied Science, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Leeds School of Business. Alongside engineering coursework, students participate in classes on business strategy, policy, management and data storytelling, a unique interdisciplinary approach among engineering programs.

This combination equips graduates with the ability not only to design sustainable technologies but also to evaluate their economic viability, navigate regulatory frameworks and communicate solutions in ways that influence decision-makers. A capstone project with industry or government partners ensures that students leave with hands-on experience applying these skills to real-world challenges.

The program’s interdisciplinary approach is anchored in ��ɫ��Ƶ’s world-class research across core pillars of sustainable engineering that students will experience.

Graduates of the program will be prepared for careers that span energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, water and sustainable materials. Possible roles range from power systems and energy storage engineers to sustainability managers, environmental process engineers and green product designers.

Equipped with both deep technical expertise and the interdisciplinary skills to lead complex projects, they will be ready to lead organizations and communities through the urgent global transition to a sustainable future.

The program is now accepting applications for fall 2026!

Learn more about the program and admissions requirements:

MS in Sustainable Engineering

Sustainable Engineering Faculty & Research

In resilience, faculty members including Abbie B. Liel (infrastructure and housing resilience, structural systems under hazard loading), Shideh Dashti (multi-hazard risk, transportation/slope and embankment resilience), Srikanth S. C. Madabhushi (soil-structure interaction, liquefaction, dynamic loading via centrifuge modeling), Amy Javernick-Will (post-disaster shelter & reconstruction, organizational risk management) and Evan Thomas (resilience in water, sanitation, and environmental systems under disaster and global health contexts) are advancing earthquake-resistant infrastructure, disaster recovery and new methods to assess and strengthen critical systems.
In sustainable materials, researchers such as Mija H. Hubler (microstructure-designed concrete, engineered living building materials, fracture mechanics, durability), Wil V. Srubar III (carbon-storing / biologically augmented concretes, low-carbon alternative materials) and Cristina Torres-Machi (recycled pavement materials, full-depth reclamation, decision and optimization models for sustainable road and pavement rehabilitation) are pushing forward innovations that reduce environmental impact and enable circular economies.
Faculty leading sustainability analysis, such as Torres-Machi (life-cycle cost analysis, optimization, data-driven decision making for pavement and infrastructure asset management) and Sherri Cook (life cycle assessment/costing, resource recovery, and decision-frameworks under uncertainty for water, sanitation, and civil systems), are bringing forward new models that integrate long-term cost, carbon, environmental and social metrics into evaluations of infrastructure and service systems.
In power systems, faculty members such as Kyri Baker (smart grids, optimization of renewable integration, building-to-grid systems, algorithms for large-scale grid stability and real-time controls) are optimizing the integration of renewable energy sources and grid stability using advanced computational tools.
In sustainable building design, ��ɫ��Ƶ teams including Gregor P. Henze (advanced controls, model predictive and reinforcement learning control of HVAC and mixed-mode systems, and integration of building operations with the grid), Moncef Krarti (optimal retrofit and envelope design with glazing, insulation, dynamic façades, and controls for HVAC and lighting, as well as renewable energy integration) and John Z. Zhai (indoor environmental quality, passive and hybrid ventilation, thermal storage, and innovative building envelope and sustainable systems) are pioneering energy-efficient HVAC systems, building automation, and holistic building approaches that minimize resource use while promoting human well-being.
In sustainability education, ��ɫ��Ƶ faculty such as Jay Arehart ( life-cycle assessment and sustainability analysis) are preparing future engineers to integrate sustainability principles into infrastructure, materials and system design. Through curriculum innovation and applied coursework, students gain hands-on experience with the tools and methods needed to address pressing environmental and societal challenges.

The world needs engineers to help lead the transition to a sustainable future. CU Engineering is answering that call with the new Master of Science in Sustainable Engineering, preparing graduates to design resilient systems that balance ecological integrity, economic viability and human well-being.

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Building community around electrochemistry and energy innovation

Susan Glairon — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 15:26:41 +0000

Building community around electrochemistry and energy innovation Susan Glairon Sat, 09/13/2025 - 09:26

Co-organized by Professor Mike Toney, the 2025 Front Range Electrochemistry Workshop (FREW) broadly addressed electrochemical science, with this year’s focus on batteries reflecting their growing importance to everything from electric vehicles to renewable energy infrastructure.

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New research paves way for greener construction practices

Susan Glairon — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 13:26:44 +0000

New research paves way for greener construction practices Susan Glairon Fri, 08/15/2025 - 07:26

Susan Glairon

The study, led by civil engineering PhD student Daniel Donado-Quintero, shows that setting carbon benchmarks can encourage asphalt producers to lower emissions—for example by using more recycled materials or optimizing production processes—supporting Colorado’s Buy Clean Act and CDOT’s efforts to reduce embodied carbon.

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Symposium advances structural engineering toward zero carbon

Susan Glairon — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 22:35:25 +0000

Symposium advances structural engineering toward zero carbon Susan Glairon Mon, 07/07/2025 - 16:35

Susan Glairon

The event, which drew 166 participants to ��ɫ��Ƶ’s campus, marked an industry-wide step toward cutting emissions tied to building materials like steel and concrete.

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Mortenson Center innovations delivering clean water to more than five million worldwide

Susan Glairon — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 23:00:23 +0000

Mortenson Center innovations delivering clean water to more than five million worldwide Susan Glairon Fri, 06/20/2025 - 17:00

��ɫ��Ƶ's Mortenson Center in Global Engineering & Resilience is transforming global water access by treating clean water as a long-term service—not just a one-time infrastructure project.

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Pipe dreams

Hanna Nordwall — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 17:30:18 +0000

Pipe dreams Hanna Nordwall Fri, 06/06/2025 - 11:30

Susan Glairon

Lab establishes worldwide standards for repairing inaccessible, leaking pipelines

Millions of miles of aging water, wastewater and natural gas pipelines across the nation are at growing risk of failure, posing significant environmental, safety and financial challenges.

Repairing these urban pipelines is often complicated and expensive due to their location beneath buildings and roads, but new repair solutions that significantly cut pipeline repair costs are emerging.

"We developed unique testing capabilities that don’t exist anywhere else.”

Brad Wham

��ɫ��Ƶ’s Center for Infrastructure, Energy and Space Testing (CIEST) is at the forefront, pioneering testing procedures for these innovative solutions.

Led by Assistant Research Professor Brad Wham, CIEST played a key role in establishing a new standard for internal replacement pipe testing through the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

“Getting an ASTM standard to vote is a big deal,” Wham said. “We designed these methods for various industries and future pipe replacement solutions. We developed unique testing capabilities that don’t exist anywhere else.”

The work was made possible by a $7.8 million Department of Energy ARPA-E grant, which CIEST shared with Cornell University, the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) and the Gas Technologies Institute.

This advancement paves the way for cutting-edge pipe repair technologies, such as using robots or other methods to install internal replacement pipes that line aging pipelines, reinforcing their walls and extending their service life.

The tests carried out in the CIEST lab demonstrated that many of the internal replacement pipes effectively sealed holes, cracks and gaps, providing a lasting seal of 50 to 100 years at a cost of less than $1 million per mile — much lower than the approximately $10 million per mile to dig up and replace pipes in urban centers.

In addition to a 90 percent drop in cost, the repairs will help reduce methane emissions from natural gas lines and prevent leaking water lines from wasting significant quantities of treated water.

The USQ team used CIEST’s data to develop a publicly available app that lets users input specifications and site details to design and assess internal replacement pipe technologies.

Natural gas and water utilities have been cautious about adopting new technologies, due to strict regulations and high risks in the event of failure, Wham said. To address these concerns, the project involved major gas utilities and global experts to guide testing development.

“As an unbiased third party, we’re building confidence in these technologies and fostering industry competition, which helps reduce costs,” he said.

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Paving the way

Hanna Nordwall — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:44:58 +0000

Paving the way Hanna Nordwall Fri, 06/06/2025 - 10:44

Researcher proposes using satellite data to find and repair rough roads

Everyone benefits from driving on a smooth, well-paved road. It means better gas mileage, more efficient travel and less upkeep on a vehicle.

Of course, the more traffic on a road, the quicker it breaks down. Add in weather elements such as snow, ice and rain and this leads to issues such as potholes, cracked asphalt and wheel ruts.

Cristina Torres-Machi

Cristina Torres-Machi, an assistant professor of civil, environmental and architectural engineering, knows better than most why sustainable infrastructure is so critical.

“My interest in road conditions and maintenance started when I got my bachelor’s degree as a civil engineer,” Torres-Machi said. “I realized that there’s so much infrastructure that’s already been built that we need to maintain. We don’t do a very good job at that, just as we don’t necessarily do a good job with our annual health check-ups. It’s not only about building infrastructure, it’s about maintaining it.”

“We can get a feeling of whether the condition is good, very bad or good enough.”

Torres-Machi has been a member of the ��ɫ��Ƶ faculty since 2017, leading her Innovation for Resilient Infrastructure research group. They seek to develop cost-effective and data-driven methods for decision-making in infrastructure management.

The group’s research projects include the life-cycle cost analysis of pavement rehabilitation alternatives and the value of satellite-based inspections to inform transport asset management decisions.

Torres-Machi believes that local, state and federal governmental systems prefer building new roads and bridges because people do not directly see the benefits of maintaining existing infrastructure.

“We notice when things like roads and bridges aren’t well maintained, and we see when things are brand new, because those get a lot of attention,” she said.

The traditional way to find out what condition a particular road is in is to go out and drive on it, which can be time-consuming and expensive. This limits road inspections to primary ones, leaving those less-traveled also less monitored.

Torres-Machi and her fellow researchers are using funding from the Minnesota Department of Transportation to explore the potential of using satellite data to look into pavement conditions.

“We can get a feeling of whether the condition is good, very bad or good enough,” she said. “The data is not going to give us a lot of details, but it can give us a feeling of how bad the condition may be, so we can go back and do a more detailed inspection of these roads.”

The lifespan of a well-maintained road is about 25 years, Torres-Machi said.

She compared identifying cracks or other potential road risks early on to going to the dentist regularly.

“If you take a proactive approach to dental care, that’s going to prevent major problems from developing down the line that will likely be more expensive to deal with and also more painful,” she said. “A similar thing happens with roads: If we delay maintenance and consider treatments when roads are in poor condition, maintenance costs are 10 times larger than applying preventive treatments. This is the reason why timely maintenance and frequent inspections are so important. Our research using satellite images to inspect pavement conditions can help local, state and federal agencies in identifying maintenance needs.”

Cristina Torres-Machi, an assistant professor of civil, environmental and architectural engineering, leads her Innovation for Resilient Infrastructure research group to develop cost-effective and data-driven methods for decision-making in infrastructure management.

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As AI explosion threatens progress on climate change, these researchers are seeking solutions

Susan Glairon — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 22:31:53 +0000

As AI explosion threatens progress on climate change, these researchers are seeking solutions Susan Glairon Fri, 04/18/2025 - 16:31

Kyri Baker, associate professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, and her colleague, Bri-Mathias Hodge, professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering, suggest that if future data centers are placed in the right location and equipped with energy storage technologies, they can run on 100 percent clean energy.

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Xiao earns prestigious membership in the National Academy of Inventors

Alexander James Servantez — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 17:03:49 +0000

Xiao earns prestigious membership in the National Academy of Inventors Alexander Jame… Fri, 03/14/2025 - 11:03

Associate Professor Jianliang Xiao is a “mechanics of materials” expert launching innovations in soft materials and flexible electronics who has been selected as a senior member in the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). The program recognizes rising innovators who have had success securing patents, licensing and commercialization for developed technologies that showcase real impact on the welfare of society.

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