Oregon State University - Cascades’ Science Pub on April 18 will explore research underway at OSU-Cascades led by associate engineering professor Bahman Abbasi, to develop technology to desalinate water and extract valuable minerals from briny waters.
The Science Pub will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Worthy Brewing’s Eastside Brewery & Pub, 495 NE Bellevue Drive in Bend. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Abbasi will share how the Water and Energy Technologies Lab that he directs at OSU-Cascades is addressing the global scarcity of fresh water and the need for energy efficient and low carbon technologies that can help combat the challenges of climate change.
He will discuss how his team of researchers is developing novel water purification techniques to remove salt from water to make it drinkable, and to salvage valuable minerals from briny waters, such as fracking wastewater. The WET Lab’s work has attracted $6.5 million in research awards from the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Defense, National Science Foundation and the State of Oregon; gained national attention and launched a spin-off company, Espiku.
Before joining OSU-Cascades, Abbasi worked with Booz Allen Hamilton as a technical advisor to the U.S. Department of Energy. He received a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland. His research activities include water-energy nexus, controls systems in thermal-fluid applications and the use of advanced metals and materials.
Science Pubs are made possible with support from Worthy Brewing.
Science Pubs are free to community members, but reservations are required. Space is limited to 100 guests.
To register, visit osucascades.edu/sciencepubs. For accommodations for disabilities contact 541-322-3100 or events@osucascades.edu.
About OSU-Cascades: Oregon State University’s campus in Bend brings higher education to Central Oregon, the fastest growing region in the state. Surrounded by 2.5 million acres of mountains and high desert, OSU-Cascades offers small classes that accelerate faculty-student mentoring and engages in top tier research as part of Oregon State University. Degree programs meet industry and economic needs in areas such as innovation and entrepreneurship, natural ecosystems, health and wellness, and arts and sciences, and prepare students for tomorrow’s challenges. OSU-Cascades is expanding to serve 3,000 to 5,000 students, building a 128-acre campus with net-zero goals.