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Garden Produce Grown Near Fayetteville Works Fluorochemical Plant Contains GenX, Other PFAS

Department of Civil Construction and Environmental Engineering

photo of a smiling richard kim

May 21, 2026

NC State’s Richard Kim Wins UNC System’s Highest Faculty Honor

Kim is the 2026 recipient of the UNC System’s O. Max Gardner Award for his contributions to improving roadway infrastructure around the world. 
power transmission lines are silhouetted against the skyline

May 18, 2026

Data Centers Are Driving Up Power Bills. A New Study Looks at How Bad It Could Get

Electricity demand from data centers and cryptocurrency mining is likely to increase power costs in parts of the country by up to 57% by 2030. 
Three different images next to each other showing a microscopic image of bone, a close-up of tree bark, and an image of a white wind turbine against a blue sky.

Feb 18, 2026

Engineered Materials Can Self-Heal and Last Centuries

Researchers at NC State University created a system that enables engineered composites to self-heal, similar to the regenerative abilities found in organic materials like bone and wood. Recently they demonstrated that this technique effectively mends cracks in aerospace and wind turbine materials — maintaining its efficacy over 1,000 healing cycles. 
there are three images. first is a weaving of grey and blue strands; second is heat-map image, red in the center, surrounded by blue; third is an image of grey weaving with an overly of blue zigzag lines

Jan 14, 2026

Self-Healing Composite Can Make Airplane, Automobile and Spacecraft Components Last for Centuries

Researchers have created a self-healing composite that is tougher than materials currently used in aircraft wings, turbine blades and other applications – and can repair itself more than 1,000 times. 
illustration shows the schematic layout of a marine hydrokinetic power system, in which several turbine blades are turned by ocean currents to generate power

Jan 5, 2026

Location, Location, Location: Model IDs Best Spots for Offshore Energy Projects

The model can be used to maximize offshore energy production, reducing the financial risk of offshore projects. 
Aerial image shows cities as a pattern of lights sprawling across a wide area

Nov 19, 2025

How a New Modeling Method Could Make Energy Systems More Efficient – Even in an Uncertain Future

The new method helps policymakers determine which parts of an energy system have the biggest impact and merit extra attention. 
Stock image of a colorful and dynamic textile.

Nov 14, 2025

Research Round Up: Responsive Materials 

NC State University leads the development of responsive materials engineered to sense and react to stimuli in exciting, innovative ways. Remarkably versatile, these advanced materials can harvest energy from friction, self-repair structural damage, assemble themselves into electronic devices — and more. 
A faucet and drinking water.

Oct 27, 2025

High Levels of Short-Chain PFAS Found in Wilmington Residents’ Blood

High levels of ultrashort-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were found in blood samples taken from Wilmington, N.C. residents between 2010-2016. 
satellite view of a hurricane or typhoon nearing a coastline

Jul 29, 2025

Research Improves Accuracy of Climate Models – Particularly for Compound Extreme Events

The advance should provide policymakers with improved climate projections that can be used to inform policy and planning decisions. 
a low-burning fire spreads slowly across a forest floor, not burning the large trees in the forest

Jun 18, 2025

Climate Change May Make Prescribed Fires Rarer – but Increase Their Air Quality Impacts

Prescribed burns are important for preventing wildfires, but a new study finds managed fires are major contributors to air pollution – a problem that may become more pronounced with climate change. 
a person wearing a bright yellow vest fills a sampling jar with water from a flooded street

Jun 2, 2025

Study Finds Coastal Flooding More Frequent Than Previously Thought

Flooding in coastal communities is happening far more often than previously thought, according to a new study from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The study also found major flaws with the widely used approach of using marine water level data to capture instances of flooding. “Government agencies… 
four industrial smokestacks are belching huge clouds of smoke, silhouetted against the skyline

May 20, 2025

Even Without Feds, States Can Take Meaningful Action on Climate Change

In the absence of an ambitious federal climate strategy, a new study shows state-led action can make a significant difference in reducing carbon emissions and addressing climate change. 
steam billows out of a black metal pot that rests on a stone oven. there is an open fire in the oven.

May 12, 2025

What Are the Tradeoffs When People Have to Choose Between Clean Air and Clean Water?

A new study suggests that, while health risks from the resulting air pollution are real, the benefits associated with boiling water generally outweigh those risks. 
time lapse photograph shows traffic going through a roundabout at night

Jan 27, 2025

Can Self-Driving Cars Navigate Roundabouts?

Roundabouts improve traffic safety. But they rely on the judgement of drivers. Can autonomous vehicles navigate roundabouts safely? 
Campus gateway sign reading NC State University

Nov 20, 2024

Garden Produce Grown Near Fayetteville Works Fluorochemical Plant Contains GenX, Other PFAS

New study indicates that diet, in addition to drinking water, can be an important human exposure pathway for PFAS.