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A sea mist form over the La Jolla area of San Diego
February 09, 2026
Trace gases play unseen role in cloud droplet formation
UCR-led study finds that tiny, invisible gases long thought to be irrelevant in cloud formation appear to play a major role in determining whether clouds form—and possibly whether it rains. This realization runs counter to more than a century of assumptions about the physics behind cloud droplet formation.
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Charles Cai
January 13, 2026
From waste to wearable
UCR chemical engineering researchers have completed construction of a pilot biomass processing facility that transforms forestry and agricultural waste into pulp that can be made into textiles and building construction products.
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a drone image of campus.
December 05, 2025
Clearing the Air
Alumnus William Carter has pledged two gifts totaling an estimated $3.65 million to UCR.
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Gasoline pumps
November 25, 2025
Study finds lower emissions from higher-ethanol gasoline
Landmark UC Riverside vehicle emissions study allows California to move forward with less costly and less polluting gasoline blend.
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Inside UCR

Hydrogen fuel van emission testing
May 27, 2026
Hydrogen combustion van tested at UCR
UC Riverside environmental engineers are testing a van imported from France with a hydrogen combustion engine as part of an international effort to advance decarbonization of the transportation industry and curb greenhouse gas emissions.
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Georgios Karavalakis
February 09, 2026
Professor selected for prestigious SAE fellowship
Georgios Karavalakis, a UCR professor of chemical and environmental engineering, has been elected a Fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International, one of the highest honors in the mobility engineering field.
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Matthew Barth
December 11, 2025
Professor honored by National Academy of Inventors
Matthew Barth, a longtime UC Riverside engineering professor whose work has shaped global transportation systems and clean mobility innovations, has been named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors
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Thomas Koch Professor Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and CEO of Allianz Wasserstoff Motor
May 14, 2025
Conference touts the promise of clean hydrogen technology
Created by UC Riverside, University of Michigan, and several industry partners, the Hydrogen Engine Alliance - North America hosted the Inaugural 2025 North American Hydrogen Engine Conference in Riverside on May 1 and 2.
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More from insideucr.ucr.edu

UCR EcoCAR Team Competes in Year 2 of EcoCAR EV Challenge

From May 13 to May 22, 2024, the UCR EcoCAR team competed against twelve other top universities in the Year 2 Competition for the EcoCAR EV Challenge held in Yuma and Phoenix, AZ.
By Sara Salsgiver |

CE-CERT Students Earn Honorable Mention at ITE Bob Crommelin Student Presentation Award Meeting

UC Riverside’s ECE senior students, Hung Nguyen and Harvey Wang, earned the Honorable Mention Award at the 2024 RSBITE Bob Crommelin Student Presentation Award Meeting for their project on C-V2X Communication Technologies. Their research, part of the EcoCAR EV Challenge, showcased innovations in vehicle communication aimed at enhancing transportation efficiency and safety.
By Sara Salsgiver |

UC Riverside Joins Forces with UC Davis in New USDOT Climate and Transportation Research Center

UC Riverside has partnered with UC Davis to address climate-related challenges in the transportation sector through a new research initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT).

UCR Continues Advancements in Intersection Safety: From Stage 1A Triumph to Stage 1B Workshop

UCR CE-CERT reaffirmed its commitment to pioneering research and innovation in transportation safety at the Stage 1B Kickoff Workshop.
By Sara Salsgiver |
A glass award displayed in front of the University of California, Riverside's CE-CERT building, reflecting the text "University of California, Riverside Bourns College of Engineering Center for Environmental Research & Technology." The award is from the South Coast Air Quality Management District, recognizing the center for "Leadership in Air Quality." The background text highlights CE-CERT's mission to address air quality, climate change, energy, and transportation challenges

CE-CERT Receives Leadership in Air Quality Award at the 34th Annual Clean Air Awards

CE-CERT was honored with the Leadership in Air Quality Award at the 34th Annual Clean Air Awards by the South Coast AQMD, recognizing over 30 years of impactful contributions to reducing pollution and improving air quality. Dr. Don Collins, CE-CERT Director, attributed this achievement to the collective expertise and dedication of the center's team and...
By Sara Salsgiver |

The 13th Annual International OSAR Conference

The 13th Annual International OSAR Conference, held at the California Air Resources Board (CARB) on March 14th and 15th, 2024, convened experts from 10 countries and 47 organizations. With a focus on "Driving Change for Cleaner Air," discussions centered on the role of onboard sensing technology in mitigating emissions and addressing environmental disparities.
By Sara Salsgiver |
Haishan Liu at 2024 Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, in Washington DC.

Empowering Women in Transportation: Haishan Liu Awarded the 2023 WTS-IE Scholarship

In honor of International Women's Day, Haishan Liu, a graduate student researcher at CE-CERT, shares her journey and celebrates receiving the WTS-IE Scholarship. Through her passion for addressing transportation challenges, Haishan exemplifies the transformative impact of scholarships like WTS-IE in promoting gender equality and excellence in transportation.
By Sara Salsgiver |
5 panelists on stage for the sustainable freight panel at FISTS 2024

IEEE-FISTS 2024 Conference: The 4th IEEE Forum for Innovative Sustainable Transportation Systems Promotes Green Mobility

IEEE-FISTS 2024 took place in Riverside, CA from February 26 to 28, 2024, attracting approximately 120 attendees from around the globe. The conference provided a platform for discussions on eco-friendly intelligent transportation systems (ITS), electric vehicles (EVs), shared mobility, and sustainable freight.
By Sara Salsgiver |

Daniel Gonzalez: A First-Generation Scholar Paving the Way in Environmental Leadership

Graduate student Daniel Gonzalez has earned the Switzer Fellowship, a year-long program for environmentally dedicated students. He's leveraging this opportunity to build a network, develop equity-centered leadership skills, and further his mission of making a positive impact on the environment and disadvantaged communities.
By Sara Salsgiver |

CE-CERT Attends 2024 TRB Meeting, Secures Win in U.S. DOT Intersection Safety Challenge

CE-CERT has kickstarted 2024 on a high note! 12 of our brilliant faculty and students took the spotlight at the 2024 TRB Annual Meeting in D.C., with 13 presentations AND victory in the U.S. DOT Intersection Safety Challenge!
By Sara Salsgiver |
A Field Campaign on Marine Emissions

Sailing Towards Sustainability: A Field Campaign on Marine Emissions

In October 2023, CE-CERT researchers conducted a field campaign on a container ship from Long Beach to Honolulu to study marine emissions and evaluate emerging engine technology.
By Sara Salsgiver |

Scientists characterize nanometer-thin coatings of salt on aerosolized nanoplastics

Even as microplastics gain attention as a pollutant widely found in all environments, methods to detect airborne nanoplastics and the implications for public health and policy are not well known.
APL group at AAAR Conference

CE-CERT attends 41st AAAR Annual Conference: Dr. Sarah Petters Wins Prize

CE-CERT faculty and students attended the 41st AAAR Annual Conference in Portland, where Dr. Sarah Petters received the Juan de la Mora Prize for her work on sub-10-nm particles.

Celebrating Excellence: Three CE-CERT Affiliated Faculty Members Named in the World’s Top 2% Scientists List for 2023

CE-CERT proudly acknowledges the remarkable achievements of Dr. Matthew Barth, Dr. William (Bill) Carter, and Dr. Georgios Karavalakis, whose pioneering research continues to shape environmental science and engineering.

UCR Graduate Student Ryan Drover Selected as Science Policy Scholar-in-Residence with the National Science Policy Network

UC Riverside's CE-CERT proudly announces Ryan Drover, a graduate student, as a National Science Policy Network (NSPN) Science Policy Scholar-in-Residence. Ryan joins the NSPN's SciPol Scholars program, focusing on health policy, vital science policy, and communication skills.

Dr. Tom Durbin named Fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

Dr. Tom Durbin receives the recognition of SAE Fellow for his outstanding contributions to automotive engineering, marking a remarkable 30-year journey of dedication, innovation, and impactful research.
students at ecocars booth for stepcon 2023

Inspiring the Future: CE-CERT Hosts STEPCon 2023

On October 5th, CE-CERT organized STEPCon 2023, the premier student STEM conference in the Inland Empire. The event engaged 4th to 12th graders with hands-on experiences, exhibits, and presentations, bringing STEM fields to life.

CE-CERT Welcomes New Faculty Member: Dr. Sarah Petters

Dr. Sarah Petters has joined CE-CERT, focusing on aerosol composition and condensed-phase reactions. Petters emphasizes perseverance in research, viewing setbacks as integral to progress. Her plans include establishing her lab, building collaborations, and advancing analytical techniques.
Markus Petters

CE-CERT Welcomes New Faculty Member: Dr. Markus Petters

Dr. Markus Petters, a prominent environmental researcher at CE-CERT, delves into atmospheric particulate matter's complexities. His work spans health, climate, and air quality, emphasizing mentorship to bridge the skills gap in graduate students.
Dr Hang Qui

CE-CERT Welcomes New Faculty Member: Dr. Hang Qiu

Dr. Hang Qiu, CE-CERT's new full-time professor, brings expertise in collaborative intelligence within cyber-physical systems. His research aims to merge robot, edge/cloud, and human intelligence to enable cooperation among autonomous entities.
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