Bio-Electrochemical Systems (BES)

Bio-electrochemical denitrification

BES's capability to achieve organic carbon-free denitrification may have real-world engineering implications. Our work integrates process engineering, molecular biology, and statistical modeling to investigate the function-condition-community relationships in BES denitrification, with the goal of further developing the technology in a mechanism-informed fashion.  

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References:

T. Brandon, B. Stamps, A. Cummings, T. Zhang, X. Wang, D. Jiang. (2020). Poised potential is not an effective strategy to enhance bio-electrochemical denitrification under cyclic substrate limitations. Science of the Total Environment. 

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Material Flow Analysis (MFA)

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in carpet

PFAS are a family of ubiquitous, persistent, and potentially toxic organofluorine compounds. They are widely used in consumer products such as carpet. Our work applies stocks and flows modeling to estimate the PFAS use, accumulation, and emissions through carpet in 2000-2030 under different policy scenarios, with the goal of informing risk assessment and policy making. 

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References:

J. Chen, L. Tang, WQ. Chen, G. Peaslee, D. Jiang. (2020). The flows, stock, and emissions of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in California carpet in 2000-2030 under different scenarios. Environmental Science & Technology.

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Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Life cycle environmental performance of early-stage technologies

Living filtration membranes (LFMs) are a bio-based ultrafiltration (UF) membrane developed by Zodrow lab @ Montana Tech. In lab tests, LFMs showed great promise as a fouling-resistance and self-healing UF membrane. Our work utilizes LCA and global sensitivity analysis to identify how to most efficiently improve the environmental performance of LFMs in future R&D.  

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References:

D. Jiang, D. Hou, C. Bechtel, K. Zodrow, T. Zhang, R. Myers. (2020). Permeability is the critical factor governing the life cycle environmental performance of drinking water treatment using living filtration membranes. Environmental Science & Technology. 

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Non-hazardous Industrial Waste (NHIW)

Quantity and composition of NHIW

Each year  the industrial sector creates hundreds of millions of tons of non-hazardous wastes. These secondary materials are typically sent for disposal, but some have the potential to be beneficially used instead. In a recent study, we collaborated with researchers from Yale University and Northeastern University and quantified the amount of non-hazardous industrial wastes generated in the United States from 2000 to 2050, and their main chemical compositions. 

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References:

J. Chen, X. Li, K. Huang, M. Eckelman, M. Chertow, D. Jiang*. (2021). Non-hazardous industrial waste in the United States: 100 million tonnes of recoverable resources. Resources, Conversation & Recycling. 

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