2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Integrating Nanoparticle Research into Engineering Education for Environmental Sustainability and Public Health

Presented at Sustainability in Materials and Makerspaces- ENVIRON Division

Today’s engineers must tackle the intertwined problems of environmental contamination, sustainable technology deployment, and responsible nanotechnology innovation. This work-in-progress paper describes a design-based instructional framework that integrates authentic nanoparticle-related environmental research data into environmental engineering education to enhance sustainability literacy, public health reasoning, and ethical decision-making. Using a previously published set of environmental data on nanoparticles only as a teaching case, the framework addresses how research data on nanoparticles can be effective pedagogical tools, not new scientific contributions. The proposed model uses a three-module structure consisting of environmental data analysis, sustainability and systems thinking, and public health, ethics, and communication. Students work with real environmental datasets based on real atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) data and reflect on pollutant interpretation, sustainability trade-offs, and socio-technical engineering responsibilities. We perform initial validation with an IRB-approved expert survey of engineering faculty, students, and sustainability professionals (n = 20) with Likert-scale and qualitative measures. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha, and thematic analysis support iterative refinement. The results demonstrate the pedagogical clarity, feasibility, and educational relevance of the framework while aligning with ABET outcomes and providing a transferable model to incorporate nanotechnology, sustainability, and responsible innovation into current engineering curricula.

Authors

Grace Yemisi Balogun http://orcid.org/https://my-orcid?orcid=0009-0005-7248-5013 Morgan State University [biography]

Grace Yemisi Balogun is a Ph.D. student in Bio-Environmental Sciences at Morgan State University. She received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Plant Biology from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, with specializations in food safety and environmental biology. With a professional background in environmental, health & safety (EHS) consultancy and ISO 14001:2015 auditing, she blends research with impact. Her passion lies in ESG strategy, nanoparticle applications to mitigate environmental challenges, as well as microplastic studies. She continues to explore the intersection of science and policy for a global sustainable future.

Grace's research on the use of nanoceria as a foliar application offers promising strategies to reduce toxic stress and promote sustainable agriculture.
https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0009-0005-7248-5013
Abiodun Taofeeq Adedoyin http://orcid.org/0009-0000-2639-5264 Morgan State University [biography]

Adedoyin Abiodun is a second-year PhD student at the School of Architecture and Planning, Morgan State University. He hails from Nigeria, had his Bachelor of Technology in Estate Management from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, and his master's degree in Housing Development and Management at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. His research interests include housing quality, sustainable housing, and nanomaterials.
Dr. Oludare Adegbola Owolabi P.E. Morgan State University [biography]

Dr. Oludare Owolabi, a professional engineer in Maryland, joined the Morgan State University faculty in 2010. He is the director of the Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Smart Innovation and Resilient Engineering Research Lab, Department of Civil Engineering at Morgan State University.
Oluwafemi Samuel Ifesanmi Morgan State University [biography]

Oluwafemi Samuel Ifesanmi is a passionate graduate researcher, and social impact advocate. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and Resource Management and is currently pursuing his M.Sc. in Advanced Computing at Morgan State University. His background covers software development, data analytics, AI applications, environmental sustainability and intelligent computing, and this fusion is at the heart of his current research: Smart AI-Based Waste Bin Monitoring and Collection Optimization. The project leverages AI and IoT to create efficient, sustainable urban waste management systems.
David Olusogo Owolabi http://orcid.org/https://0009-0008-8982-2305 Morgan State University [biography]

David Owolabi is a PhD student in civil engineering at Morgan State University, specializing in resilience and sustainable engineering for critical infrastructure. His academic journey focuses on advancing his knowledge in structural engineering and construction management, with the goal of becoming a leading expert in these fields. David's primary research area is on the development of innovative sustainable materials, such as self-healing concrete known as bioconcrete.
David's work explores the integration of green materials, lifecycle assessment, and resilient engineering practices in construction. In his other research areas, he also seeks to address key challenges in infrastructure sustainability while promoting long-term resilience in construction.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026

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