CEE Gergely Seminar: Qingxu (Bill) Jin (Michigan State)

Description

Nano TiO₂-Enhanced Concrete: From Smog Reduction to Smart and Resilient Infrastructure

This talk highlights nano titanium dioxide (TiO₂)-enhanced concrete as a solution to address three major engineering challenges: restoring and improving urban infrastructure, managing the nitrogen cycle, and reducing CO₂ emissions (particularly from concrete production). Concrete, the second most consumed material globally after water, is critical for urbanization but poses significant environmental challenges due to CO₂ emissions and high energy demands. Additionally, reinforced concrete is prone to corrosion, which impacts infrastructure durability. Meanwhile, smog-causing nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) from sources like vehicle emissions worsen urban air pollution. By leveraging the photocatalytic properties of nano TiO₂ in concrete, this talk will showcase the material’s ability to convert airborne NOₓ into nitrite and nitrate, which can act as corrosion inhibitors in concrete. This presentation will explore the relationship between the material’s NOₓ uptake capacity and its composition and microstructure. Furthermore, understanding sequestration pathways and quantifying uptake capacity can provide engineers and scientists with practical guidelines for optimizing these composites to enhance both NOₓ sequestration and corrosion resistance. Overall, this talk aims to illustrate how a materials science-based approach can drive the design of cementitious technologies, supporting innovation for next-generation concrete infrastructure.
 

Bio:
Qingxu “Bill” Jin is an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan State University and the principal investigator of the Resilient, Intelligent, Sustainable & Energy-efficient Infrastructure Materials Lab. He earned his Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering with a minor in materials science from the Georgia Institute of Technology and has served as a guest researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Prof. Jin also holds dual M.Sc. degrees in civil engineering and natural resources and environment from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. A passionate advocate for STEM education, Prof. Jin is an ASCE ExCEEd Fellow and serves as a STEM Ambassador for MSU. He is a member of the honor societies Sigma Xi and Chi Epsilon and is certified as a licensed professional engineer in Michigan and Maryland. He is dedicated to advancing sustainable technologies with the potential to transform the concrete industry through innovation.