Most of the U.S. population live in urban areas where energy demands exist for distributing drinking water. That energy comes in the form of electricity, natural gas or fuel oil. But how much water is being consumed and how much energy is needed to collect and treat wastewater? A new database will help researchers find out. READ MORE

In December 2017, the National Science Foundation awarded the Center for Applied Collaboration on Human Environments (CACHE) at the University of Illinois $600,000 to explore the complex chemistry that happens in wood in the moments just before it bursts into flames. The pre-ignition stage is responsible for as much as half of the particulate and gaseous emissions that come from fires. READ MORE

Debate about the costs and benefits of trade rarely consider the implication of trade for natural resources. However, international trade can have considerable impacts on the environment. Yet these impacts are often unintended, since natural resources and the environment are typically not the main focus of trade policies. READ MORE

Professor and RailTEC Executive Director Christopher Barkan was awarded the Charles H. Hochman Lifetime Achievement Award by the Transportation Research Board’s (TRB) Committee on the Transport of Hazardous Materials. The award was presented at the 97th TRB Annual Meeting held in Washington, D.C. in January 2018. READ MORE

CEE alumnus Fazlur Khan is one of only three Illinois alumni to be featured in a musical composition created for the university’s sesquicentennial. A debut performance took place in Chicago last month, and will be followed by concerts in New York and Urbana in April. CEE alumni events will be hosted in conjunction with each performance. READ MORE

The Master of Science in Environmental Engineering (MSEE) is now available as part of the CEE Online program. The program will include core offerings of Environmental Engineering Principles, Physical, Chemical, and Biological and Water Processes I and II. Many electives are available to complete degree requirements. READ MORE

The Grainger Foundation matching challenge continues to increase the impact of giving to the CEE Engineering Visionary Scholarship fund or any other endowed scholarship in the department. Their pledge to match all donations to engineering scholarship endowments, dollar-for-dollar, up to $25 million continues through the end of 2019. READ MORE