The search for environmentally sustainable energy sources and water sustainability in urban areas remains one of the major challenges today due to risks posed by anthropogenic climate changes. The concept of sustainable energy includes both renewable energy and energy efficient systems. At the same time, developing new materials and technologies that will conserve energy to power a modern society and enhance access to clean water is of equal importance. Finally, involving students at various levels in research on this important concept, enables training a population that will make long-lasting and broad impacts on the search for materials and technologies to sustain access to energy and water resources to power urban systems. We also engage policymakers, schools, and the public to ensure that the technological advances are robust, widely understood and adopted.
The NSF CREST CATSUS addresses these challenges by working under the umbrella of the research thrust areas:
- Energy Systems and Management in Buildings
- Advanced Materials for Energy and Water Applications
- Resilience of Urban Water Bodies.
- Education, Outreach and Policy-Informing (EOPI)
GOALS
- Promote the development of new fundamental and applied knowledge in the fields of energy, water and materials science, in the context of urban sustainability in Mediterranean climate zones.
- Enhance the research productivity of each of the faculty involved in the Center’s activities, and increase the university’s research capacity.
- Provide more and better opportunities to students at Cal State LA to pursue advanced degrees and careers in STEM disciplines by integrating strong education and research activities.