Civil and Environmental Engineering
Civil and environmental engineering research at Princeton addresses fundamental questions associated with the built environment, the natural environment, and interactions between the two. Focus areas include design of civil engineering systems; water resources and the hydrologic cycle, civil engineering materials, environmental and structural monitoring; air quality and water quality; urban environments, including smart cities; the impacts of climate change on water resources and natural hazards; impacts of energy technology on the environment; and structural art and design.
Areas of Impact
Energy and Environment
Students and faculty in every engineering department bring their expertise to bear on securing our energy and environmental future. Much of this work comes together through the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, which supports teaching and research in sustainable energy-technology development, energy efficiency, and environmental protection and remediation.
Robotics and Cyberphysical Systems
The use of robots is moving rapidly beyond controlled environments such as factories to complex environments in the midst of human activity, demanding a nimble cross-disciplinary approach. Princeton engineers are advancing the productive, safe, and ethical use of robotics in society by building and connecting expertise in sensing, artificial intelligence, neuroscience, public policy, and other fields.
Security and Privacy
As digital systems play critical roles in nearly every aspect of society, their security and the privacy of their data become increasingly important. The Center for Information Technology Policy serves as a focal point for much of this work. In addition, engineers are uniquely positioned to improve broader areas of security in the face of natural hazards and other threats.
The Future Metropolis
The world's metropolitan regions house over 50 percent of the world population, consume about 75 percent of worldwide energy, and emit about 80 percent of greenhouse gasses. By 2050, they will house about 70 percent of all people. Princeton engineers bring together expertise in the environment, infrastructure, climate, data science, sensors, privacy, security, public policy, and many other fields to make cities, towns and suburbs resilient and enjoyable places for people to flourish sustainably.
