This presentation highlights research focused on converting waste streams—particularly mining wastes and industrial effluents—into high-value carbon materials and recovered nutrients. One focus is the transformation of mining refuse into composites, foams, and graphite for building, construction, energy storage, and defense applications. These materials are developed using tailored thermal and chemical processes and validated through modeling and pilot-scale testing.
Complementary efforts target electrochemical recovery of phosphorus from wastewater, agricultural runoff, and industrial sources. Techniques such as electrically induced precipitation and solid oxide techniques enable selective nutrient recovery while reducing chemical use and energy demand in treatment and petrochemical processes. Life cycle and techno-economic analyses guide the integration of these systems into circular economy frameworks.
This work emphasizes scalable, place-based technologies that support economic revitalization in legacy energy regions. Several efforts have progressed from laboratory development to commercialization. The presentation concludes with reflections on the role of environmental chemical engineering in advancing sustainable systems and preparing the next generation of engineers.