What We Do

CERSE partners with academia, conducts research, and develops technologies for safe, economical, and actionable solutions to problems affecting our environment and the sustainability of energy production. We utilize the integration of multiple disciplines in science and engineering to develop applicable technologies for environment restoration and renewable energy. We evaluate and study the current technologies that are being used in energy and environment related industries to make them more effective, environment-friendly and economical. We research on related fundamental science to enhance the understanding of the current issues and possible solutions.

Current Projects

1. Develop and optimize effective technology that can remove algae for mitigating algal bloom in different aquatic systems.

Algal growth, when uncontrolled, can cause algal bloom and lead to many problems. Finding and developing an economical and effective method to capture algae from water or liquid culture can help promote the development of various technologies in diverse industries, including water treatment, biofuel industry and ecological conservation. This technology could lead to economical and safe methods in controlling algal bloom worldwide and more cost-effect biodiesel production.

2.       Develop and optimize applicable methods for clean and detoxify hydrophobic contamination in soil.

Diesel and similar hydrophobic contamination in soil damage environment in various ways. These soils are hard for seeds to germinate and plants to grow, affecting the ecosystem and agricultural practices. Decontaminating the soil and potentially recover the diesel can help restore the soil and minimize energy waste. We will test different methods to treat hydrophobic contaminated soil and find/optimize an effectively and economical treatment for this problem.

3.       Develop and optimize applicable methods to treat hydrophobic contamination in different types of wastewater sources.

Oil and hydrophobic compounds polluted water can be found in oil-field produced water, industrial wastewater, oil-spill sites and etc. The increment in oil production is corresponding to the amount of wastewater generated. To assure the sustainability and ecological safety in oil producing regions, it is critical to developing a fast, effective and economical technology that can treat the water to make it reusable and safe to release back to the environment.

4.       Develop and optimize selective and green pesticides that can prevent and treat plant diseases.

Developing pesticides that are non-toxic, and selective against pathogens can promote food and environment safety. This new type of pesticide can also help increase yield and conserve biodiversity by not harming symbiotic microorganisms. Explore different mechanisms to eliminate plant pathology and develop green and applicable technologies can increase the effective and safety of future food production.