Ruston, LA – The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) recently announced a $77.8 million investment in 14 projects through the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). Among the projects is $6 million awarded to Dr. Shengnian Wang, a professor in chemical engineering, the Institute for Micromanufacturing (IfM), and the Center for Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitation Sciences (CBERS) of Louisiana Tech. Wang collaborated with professors from Jackson State University and the University of Nevada-Reno on a four-year, $6M project called Empowering Community Resilience with Sustainable Energy and Water Reuse Systems.

This research aims to advance nanomaterials and electrochemistry to develop a mobile energy-water reuse system to provide safe and reliable water and energy supplies to communities affected by climate change.

“This project will help increase the resilience of communities with safe and reliable water and energy supply that is disrupted by extreme weather events linked to climate change,” Wang said. “Besides increasing the energy and water resilience in these communities, this project will also produce the related technologies in these underserved communities to help improve their economy and environment.”

The research will also provide recruitment and training for the current and future workforce in renewable energy, water treatment, waste recycling, and artificial intelligence skills. Not only is the goal of the project to create a safe water and energy supply, but it also aims to inspire students’ passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and sharpen their knowledge and skills.

“This project will focus on increasing society and public awareness and knowledge of clean energy and water technologies through workforce development tasks varying from four-year university, two-year community college, to K-12 students with immersive research experiences workshops in the summer,” Wang said.

The research led by Wang’s team paves the way for future energy and water supply directions, showcasing the necessity for sustainable development and community resilience.

The NSF EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement-Focused EPSCoR Collaborations Program aims to support research teams advancing climate change research and building resilience in disadvantaged communities nationwide.

"Every part of our nation has been impacted by the changing climate. We build a sustainable future for all by investing in climate resilience research and solutions across our country," NSF director, Sethuraman Panchanathan, said. "By empowering researchers from different EPSCoR jurisdictions and enabling collaborations across diverse institutions from the Mountain West to the Gulf Coast, from the Southwest to the mid-Atlantic and New England and beyond, we are driving innovation that fosters STEM opportunities, economic growth and climate resilient communities."

These teams, which include various academic institutions and partners from government, industry, and nonprofits, will collaborate to develop climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, expand STEM opportunities, and drive economic growth.