Archived articles

Environmental engineering

Glass of water on a table
Engineering
A new approach to safer tap water
Published Aug 31, 2021
Leveraging bioassays and artificial intelligence could help identify previously unknown chemical mixtures in the water supply, say Carsten Prasse and Paul Ferraro
The Maker Buoy floating in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Smart tech
Buoys with a brain
Published Summer 2021
APL's Wayne Pavalko creates custom-designed, 3D-printed buoys that monitor our oceans / Johns Hopkins Magazine
Illustrated headshot of Sarah Preheim
Q+A
An optimist's take on dead zones
Published Summer 2021
Ecologist Sarah Preheim discusses dead zones, algae blooms, and working on the Chesapeake Bay / Johns Hopkins Magazine
Discarded medical mask
Q+A
The environmental toll of fighting COVID-19
Published May 5, 2021
Masks, gloves, and chemical disinfectants will outlast the pandemic. Environmental engineer Ana María Rule says there are better alternatives to plastics and harsh chemicals.
Yard worker spraying fertilizer
Climate change
What spurs people to save the planet—stories or facts?
Published April 27, 2021
A study by JHU's Paul Ferraro identifies political divide in how stories and facts work to persuade consumers to change their behaviors
Solar panels
Sustainability
New institute to focus on clean, renewable energy technologies
Published April 22, 2021
The establishment of the Ralph S. O'Connor Sustainable Energy Institute is part of a 10-year, $75M investment by the university in energy-related research and education
Oil well
Environmental engineering
New study investigates the integrity of oil and gas wells in multiple states
Published March 25, 2021
The study provides valuable insights for industry operators and regulatory agencies seeking to prevent well leakage and ensure the success of oil and gas storage and production
Maryland blue crab
Engineering
Drive-thru-style test detects viral infections in the bacteria of waterways
Published Feb 25, 2021
Engineers develop a testing method to identify viral infections that could harm bacteria colonies in places like the Chesapeake Bay
Melting glacier in Greenland
Environmental engineering
New model more accurately predicts how massive glaciers melt
Published Feb 23, 2021
Statistical models of the topography of glacier beds will lead to more accurate predictions of heat flow and subsequent ice melt for decades to come
A glass of water
Environmental health
Johns Hopkins scientist develops method to find toxic chemicals in drinking water
Published Jan 12, 2021
Only 11 byproducts from water disinfection are currently regulated in drinking water, and environmental engineer Carsten Prasse says there's more that must be done