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Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy

The mission of the Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy is to advance global sustainability and energy solutions through transformational research, interdisciplinary education, and public engagement.

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Carbon Capture and Ice Cream

October 2, 2024
from MS in Energy and Sustainability
Techno-economic analyst Chris Wu (MSES ‘23) helps make ice cream production more environmentally friendly through his work with sustainable energy
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About the Trienens Institute

Collaboration across disciplines and organizations for a sustainable future.

We ask questions that lead to new insights and discoveries.

Discover a diverse range of groundbreaking research initiatives centered in the Trienens Institute, stemming from cutting-edge team science across disciplines. Engage with leading scholars and explore innovative projects that address complex societal issues and push the boundaries of knowledge. 

Research Profiles
What's in Your Water? The Health Impacts of Plastic Pollution

Meet Our Faculty
Meet our diverse faculty who approach complex local and global sustainability and energy challenges with interdisciplinary insights.

Research Spotlight
The Tobin Marks Group partners with GIANTFab Lab for various projects enhancing solar cell production.

Empowering minds for a sustainable future.

Students prepare to be future leaders through coursework and experiential opportunities in sustainability and energy at Northwestern University. The Trienens Institute collaborates across academic departments and with industry to administer an Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainability and Energy plus a Master’s of Science in Energy and Sustainability. Additional programs include study abroad and research initiatives. Students engage with renowned faculty from across the University and industry to learn how to make a meaningful impact on society's most pressing challenges.

Student Profile
Northwestern senior discusses the Trienens Institute certificate experience.

Study Abroad Spotlight
Trek to Germany opens eyes of engineering students.

Collaboration is vital to the mission of the Trienens Institute.

Innovative teams bring their unique strengths together to produce transformational research and education initiatives. Alumni play a key role in carrying this mission into the world and giving back to support the next generation. Explore how we foster meaningful partnerships with organizations and individuals to address complex challenges and create lasting positive change in the world.

Annual Symposium
Insights from the 2022 Trienens Institute annual symposium.

Alumni Profile
Meet Yuxi Suo (TGS '18), former graduate student in Earth and Planetary Sciences at Northwestern.

Stay Up to Date

Upcoming Events

Oct
17
2024

SWE Industry Day (Engineering) Career Fair

2:00 PM Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Drive
Sponsored by NU Society of Women Engineers Student Organization and Engineering Career Development (ECD) Office Thursday...
Oct
18
2024

CCSS Student Seminar Series

12:00 PM Ryan Hall, 2190 Campus Drive
Center for Catalysis and Surface Science (CCSS) Student Seminar Series Friday, October 18, 2023 | 12-1pm CT Ryan Hall, 4...
Oct
19
2024

Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) Career Fair

10:00 AM Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Drive
Co-hosted by the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Engineering Career Development and Engineering Care...

Featured Event

NAA Event logo

A Night with Northwestern in Chicago

October 29, 2024
from Northwestern Alumni Association

Attend a panel on how interdisciplinary research shapes local, regional, and international policy with a goal of ending water insecurity. Panelists include Professors Ted Sargent, Julius B. Lucks, Sera Young, and Andrew V. Papachristos | Register by Oct. 25.