Led by Alaina Harkness, Current’s CEO and PI of Great Lakes ReNEW, and Junhong Chen, Co-PI, Crown Family Professor of Molecular Engineering at University of Chicago, and Lead Water Strategist at Argonne National Laboratory, the Engine focuses on three core goals: attracting water-intensive industries to the region while preserving environmental health, recovering valuable resources and extracting toxic forever chemicals from wastewater streams, and fostering a robust innovation ecosystem that promotes economic opportunities for all.
Through use-inspired research and development, Great Lakes ReNEW aims to selectively extract minerals like phosphorus and lithium and address contaminants such as PFAS from wastewater—a critical step towards sustainable resource management. The Engine also prioritizes workforce development, aiming to train 500 individuals for careers in the burgeoning blue economy and engaging 1,000 youth in STEM programs across Illinois, Ohio, and Wisconsin, to start
As part of its commitment to translating innovations into practice, Great Lakes ReNEW is set to launch and invest in numerous water technology startups while establishing a state-of-the-art testbed in Chicago. This initiative not only aims to double NSF's initial investment but also paves the way for future funding opportunities up to $160 million.
Learn more about how Great Lakes ReNEW is shaping the future of sustainable water innovation. For more details, visit https://greatlakesrenew.org and watch the introductory video.
