Eco-Friendly Technologies Transforming the Engineering Landscape

Engineers have always been at the forefront of innovation, and they’re leading the way in eco-friendly technologies in response to global environmental challenges. From cutting-edge technologies such as additive manufacturing to advanced materials such as composites and nanomaterials, engineers are pushing boundaries to find modern solutions.

In light of today’s environmental issues, engineers are creating sustainable technologies and practices that reduce carbon emissions, conserve natural resources and promote renewable energy options.

This article will explore how sustainable engineering is helping to mitigate climate change and promote long-term ecological balance.

Sustainable Engineering

Sustainable engineering takes a long-term approach to designing and implementing processes that minimize environmental impact and promote social responsibility. Sustainable engineering principles can be applied in all processes, including infrastructure, product design, material development and manufacturing.¹

These principles include using renewable energy sources, creating more energy-efficient solutions, reducing waste and embracing a circular economy, which keeps materials in use for as long as possible. Sustainability principles also include corporate and social responsibility by prioritizing transparency and accountability and promoting public health and welfare.¹

Adopting sustainable practices allows engineers to be more efficient with resources, save money and reduce environmental impact. Ultimately, this creates a positive impact on the environment and society.¹

Green Engineering Practices

Green engineering is a type of sustainable engineering that aims to incorporate design and commercialization processes that balance human and environmental health, efficiency and economic viability.

To deliver maximum results, green engineering practices should be incorporated early in the design process. It's at this stage when engineers can best consider the long-term potential impacts of a product or process and take steps to mitigate damage. By including life-cycle thinking in all of their endeavors, engineers can conserve natural resources, create safe processes, prevent waste and protect ecosystems.²

An example of green engineering in action is the UltraLight Steel Auto Body-Advanced Vehicle Concepts (ULSAB-AVC). The goal of this conceptual design is to reduce emissions by using lighter-weight steel in the construction of traditionally steel-heavy midsize and compact sedans. As a result of the design change, mid-sized sedans would be able to achieve fuel efficiency of 52 miles per gallon with a gasoline engine and 68 miles per gallon with a diesel engine. This represents a significant reduction in gas consumption and carbon dioxide emissions per mile.³

Eco-Friendly Technologies

Eco-friendly technologies are the key to implementing effective sustainable engineering practices. Some of the most effective eco-friendly technologies include biodegradable materials, water purification systems and low-emission manufacturing processes.

Biodegradable materials will naturally decompose to a form that’s harmless or beneficial to the environment, as opposed to traditional plastics. These eco-friendly materials, such as bamboo, flax and poly lactic acid, help create a circular economy.⁴

Clean water is vital to healthy living, but many methods of purifying water aren’t sustainable because they use harmful chemicals or too much energy. However, sustainable water purification methods have been developed, including ultrafiltration, ultraviolet purification and charcoal water filtration.⁵

Manufacturing is one of the most carbon-heavy industries, so adopting low-emission manufacturing processes can significantly contribute to reducing greenhouse gases. Some low-emission manufacturing processes include replacing fossil fuel sources with renewable energy, switching to electric fleet vehicles and using more recycled materials.⁶

Renewable Energy Engineering

Renewable energy sources contribute to greener and more sustainable engineering across all sectors. They can be incorporated into all aspects of engineering to reduce the carbon footprint of projects. There are multiple types of renewable energy, and they all come from sources that can’t be depleted and result in minimal or no carbon emissions, such as the sun, wind, or water.⁷

• Solar energy uses solar panels to capture energy from the sun and convert it into usable energy through a physical and chemical reaction called the photovoltaic effect (PV).
• Wind energy uses turbines to convert the energy from spinning blades into electricity.
• Hydropower generates electricity via the power of moving water, usually with underwater turbines.⁷ 

These energy sources can replace fossil fuels that generate carbon emissions, deplete natural resources and contribute to air pollution. The latest innovations in renewable energy engineering make these power sources even more efficient. These include smart grids, which use Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to continuously monitor and redirect energy flows to conserve resources.⁸

Environmental Impact of Engineering

Before engineers can incorporate more sustainable practices, they must understand the impact that proposed projects could have on the environment. They do this by conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA). An LCA takes a comprehensive, holistic view of the processes that a product goes through, from extracting raw materials to disposing of or recycling the finished product.⁹

An LCA helps engineers incorporate strategies to reduce the environmental footprint of engineering processes, including sustainable design, eco-friendly materials and energy-saving manufacturing methods.⁹

To conduct an LCA, engineers first define the scope of the study, so they have a focused area to optimize. Then they gather data on all of the resources used and emissions produced at each stage of the process. The next step is to run a life cycle impact assessment. During this stage, engineers consider the potential impacts of the process. This can include contributing to climate change, potential for acidification and possible toxic effects.⁹

Once they understand the potential impact, engineers can modify their processes to mitigate the damage. They may be able to implement renewable energy sources, incorporate biodegradable materials or design products with a circular lifecycle.⁹

Use Your Skills to Build a More Sustainable Future

An online Master of Engineering program from Case Western Reserve University will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to develop eco-friendly technologies and processes that contribute to a more sustainable future. Our expert faculty are leaders in their fields and have developed a hands-on curriculum that accommodates your work and family obligations. You can study from the convenience of your own home on your own schedule. Learn more about how an advanced engineering degree can help you grow in your profession. Contact one of our admissions outreach advisors today to get started.