Our main technology opportunity zone (and differentiating factor) is to develop advanced materials that enhance precision separations and efficient for fit-for-purpose treatment, in a manner that significantly decreases energy requirements and costs. We aspire to create affordable clean water on demand, and to be a trusted partner that promotes a circular economy, prosperity and equity. 

Our innovation and entrepreneurship activities focus on three domains:

1.   Public health protection, including destruction of PFAS (forever chemicals) in water, protection from pathogens and endocrine disruptors that break through our treatment plants, and wastewater-based epidemiology to warn us about pandemics. 

2.   Water and the energy transition, including beneficial disposition produced waters from oil and gas fields, critical elements recovery from wastewaters, forecasting of droughts for regional water planning, and understanding water footprint of an accelerated energy transition.  

3.   Resilient water infrastructure, including virtual testbeds and digital twinning of Houston’s municipal systems, and responsible deployment of capital for water infrastructure revitalization.
 

Water Public Health Thrust

Includes Waste Water-Based Epidemiology, emerging contaminants/PFAS, Texas Medical Center testbeds, soldiers

Leads: Dr. Michael S. Wong and Dr. Jim Tour

Water–Energy Nexus Thrust

Includes water footprint of an accelerated energy transition, critical elements recovery

Leads: Dr. Rafael Verduzco, Dr. Sylvia Dee, Gabriel Collins

Resilient Water Infrastructure Thrust

Includes water meters that sense & disinfect; AI; Network topology optimization; Hydro-climatology

Leads: Dr. Qilin Li and Dr. Flavio Cunha

Contact Us: If you have any inquiries, please feel free to reach out to Executive Director, Eric.Willman@rice.edu.