Research Focus Areas

The Center for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering (CSE3) brings together faculty and affiliates committed to supporting local, regional, and national industries by addressing their most pressing challenges. Our team of subject-matter experts spans diverse fields, including environmental engineering, economics, electrical engineering, industrial technology, STEM education, and construction management, among others. Our faculty have a strong track record of securing research funding from local, state, and federal agencies. Their research covers a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

  • Additive construction and manufacturing
  • Biofuels
  • Coastal hydrology
  • Ecosystem restoration and services
  • Environmental engineering
  • Energy efficiency
  • Energy and lean assessments
  • Environmental and green bioethics
  • Grid-scale energy storage
  • Life-cycle cost analysis (LCA)
  • Operations research and applied statistics
  • Sustainable and renewable energy
  • Sustainability and resilience planning
  • Sustainable materials
  • Solar-assisted devices and processes
  • Ocean energy
  • Textile recycling
  • Thermo-fluid systems
  • Nature-based solutions
  • Flood reduction
  • Watershed and field-scale modeling
  • Water quality

Research Highlights

Nature-based Solutions

Research conducted by CSE3 staff in a lake. Photo displaying boats to collect data and a man in a kayak.

CSE3 Staff collect comprehensive data on local waterways using the latest technology.

At CSE3, we have specialized teams conducting interdisciplinary research to address critical environmental challenges in coastal hydrology, ecosystem restoration, and water quality. We use a community engaged approach where we work with community partners to develop and test solutions that best fit their needs.  This includes reducing flooding through active water management on forested or agricultural lands. Our work in coastal hydrology examines the challenging dynamics driven by tides and minimal slope to help predict flooding and manage coastal resources.

This connects directly to the center’s ecosystem restoration efforts, which focus on reviving degraded wetlands and water bodies to enhance biodiversity and resilience. Simultaneously, our water quality research identifies pollution sources and develops solutions to protect aquatic ecosystems and human health. Together, these interconnected research areas support sustainable water management and healthier ecosystems.

Projects:

  • Water Farming at Bladen Lakes State Forest
  • Solutions for Flooding
  • Water Quality at Lake Mattamuskeet
  • Wastewater Treatment Using Ecological Engineered Technology

Sustainable and Renewable Energy

A metallic table holds a translucent water container connected by tubing to a black container on the right. A yellow electronic device measures data. Additional containers and equipment are visible in the background. The setup is part of an experiment on combined offshore floating wind turbines and wave energy converters (WECs).

Combined off-shore floating wind turbines and WECs. CSE3 and UNC Charlotte (EPIC)

CSE3 is committed to advancing innovative solutions for a cleaner energy future. Our research in sustainable energy development explores a range of cutting-edge technologies aimed at increasing energy efficiency, enhancing renewable energy systems, and supporting the transition to low-carbon alternatives. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and applied research, we address critical challenges and opportunities in energy sustainability.

Projects:

  • Ocean Wave Energy Converters (WEC)
  • Thermal Energy Storage
  • Natural Gas-Hydrogen Blends for Residential Heating
  • Solar-Assisted Supercritical CO₂ Brayton Cycle for Power Generation
  • Microgrids and Electrical Energy Storage

 

Professional Development and Educational Outreach

Two people, one in a black sweater and the other in a red sweater, are seen from behind as they observe a man demonstrating a hydrogen-powered car model at a table. A CSE3 banner is visible on the right side.

CSE3 conducting demonstrations for young students on renewable energy using car models at the Clean Energy High School Career Fair, organized by the Center for Energy Education (C4EE) in Roanoke Rapids, NC (May 2025).

The center caters to the educational needs and workforce requirements of industry in eastern North Carolina and beyond by conducting workshops, training and larger symposiums for industry professionals, veterans, active duty/ training military personnel, and students.

By leveraging faculty expertise and state-of-the art educational and laboratory facilities at ECU, the center can offer training sessions specifically addressing the needs of your company, for professional engineers seeking continuing education credits, or developing marketable job skills.

CSE3 presents an exciting opportunity for K-12 students, veterans and industry professionals to experience the active educational environment in the areas of sustainable energy and environmental engineering practices at ECU. They can also interact with renowned faculty, graduate and undergraduate students from ECU.