Projects | Institute of Energy and the Environment

Close-up of rough rocks with sunlight reflecting on water in a narrow gap between them.

Unraveling Geochemical-Hydromechanical-Seismic Couplings in Carbon Storage and Geologic Energy Systems

Awarded: 2026 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant

This project aims to understand how chemical reactions during underground fluid injection affect rock’s seismic response and stability related to earthquake risk in carbon storage and other energy systems.

Close-up of a backlit green and yellow leaf showing its branching vein pattern.

Unraveling Molecular Level Interactions between Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Plant Tissues via Process Guided AI Towards Advancing Phytoremediation at Sites Impacted by Aqueous Film Forming Foam

Awarded: 2026 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant

This project aims to understand how harmful PFAS chemicals from firefighting foams interact with plants to improve plant-based cleanup of contaminated soils and water.

A large pile of colorful, crumpled plastic waste, including bottles, caps, food containers, and plastic bags, representing various types of disposable consumer plastics.

Anthracite Nanoplatelets as Photothermal Agents for Polymer Recycling

Awarded: 2025 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant

This project is developing a new way to recycle common plastics using tiny coal-based particles that are heated with light, aiming to reduce pollution and create cleaner, more efficient, and more widely applicable recycling.

Holstein dairy cows eating hay in a row inside a barn, with a blurred farmer in the background carrying a metal milk can.

Biomanufacturing Platform to Integrate Dairy Wastes into Circular Bioeconomy

Awarded: 2025 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant

This project develops a sustainable biomanufacturing platform to transform dairy processing waste into biofuels, renewable chemicals, and sustainable foods, supporting a more circular food and energy system.

3D-rendered illustration of hydrogen molecules (H₂) floating in a light blue background, with a large "H₂" symbol in the center surrounded by pairs of glossy blue spheres representing diatomic hydrogen.

Conductive Polymer + Au/TiO2 Composites for Energy Storage

Awarded: 2025 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant

This project is designing and developing new polymer materials that can safely store and release hydrogen gas, which could help create better, cleaner energy systems in the future.

Abstract digital illustration of an atom, featuring glowing particles and swirling blue and white energy lines orbiting a bright central core, symbolizing atomic structure, electron spin, or quantum energy.

Development of Spin-Polarized Nano-Metal Catalysts

Awarded: 2025 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant

This project is exploring how to control the properties of tiny structures in metal materials to enhance chemical reactions, such as CO2 reduction, potentially leading to cleaner industrial processes.

Thousands of tiny, bright blue dots form luminous, smoke-like clouds that swirl diagonally across a dark blue, out-of-focus background.

Dry Electrolysis for Recycling CO2 to Renewable Hydrocarbon Fuels and Chemicals

Awarded: 2025 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant

This project explores how applying electric fields to carbon materials can make CO₂ conversion more energy-efficient, creating a sustainable source of fuel components for cleaner energy systems.

A colorful, microscopic view of rod-shaped bacteria. One bacterium is in the foreground in high detail, while many others are blurred in the background, creating a sense of depth.

High-Throughput Screening of Human Gut Bacteria Response to PFAS Exposure

Awarded: 2025 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant

This project investigates how PFAS chemicals influence the gut microbiome and its role in human health, aiming to reveal hidden effects of environmental exposure and improve our understanding of disease risk.

Modern glass office building with curved architecture, reflecting the blue sky on its windows, viewed from a low angle.

Low-Cost Smart Energy-Efficient Windows Using Temperature-Sensitive Shape-Memory Polymers

Awarded: 2025 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant

This project seeks to develop a smart window that automatically responds to outside temperatures using a special heat-responsive polymer, reducing energy use in buildings.

Person wearing a face mask checking air quality on a smartphone app, which shows a high PM2.5 level and an unhealthy air quality index of 185, with a hazy, polluted city skyline in the background.

Preparing for Future Long-Distance Wildfire Smoke Events: Insights from Public Perception, Behavioral Responses, and Information Uncertainty in the U.S. Northeast

Awarded: 2025 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant

This project is studying how people in the Northeast U.S. learn about and respond to wildfire smoke from far away, and how to improve trust and preparedness by making air quality information more accurate and easier to understand.

High-voltage power lines and transmission towers stretching across a field at sunset, with a colorful sky in the background.

Resilient Transmission Planning Under Extreme Event Uncertainty

Awarded: 2025 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant

This project is developing new tools to help make the electric grid more reliable by identifying rare but serious events, such as extreme weather or sudden power surges, so planners can better prepare for them.

Aerial view of a group of people gathered around a large open circular well in a dry, rural area, collecting water using buckets and containers, highlighting community dependence on groundwater resources.

Understanding Community Participation and Decision-Making Processes for Groundwater Management in India

Awarded: 2025 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant

This project studies how people in different parts of India are participating in a major government program to protect groundwater, aiming to understand what’s working and to help improve the program as it expands.