Junhong Chen is the Crown Family Professor of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago and Lead Water Strategist & Senior Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory. He is a leading researcher in nanomaterials, nanosensors, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable energy technologies. His work spans multifunctional nanostructures, scalable nanomanufacturing, and sensor platforms for environmental and energy applications. Before joining UChicago, Chen was a Distinguished Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and served as Program Director for the Engineering Research Centers program at the National Science Foundation. He has made influential contributions to nanomaterial synthesis, water and air quality monitoring, and next‑generation energy systems. Chen has authored extensively across materials science, nanotechnology, and environmental engineering, and his innovations have advanced both fundamental understanding and real‑world deployment of high‑impact technologies.

2026 CME NASA Symposium Abstract

Enabling a Circular Water Economy through Real-time Water Quality Sensors

Growing freshwater demand is intensifying global water stress while highlighting the tight coupling of water and energy systems. In the United States, municipal wastewater treatment consumes ~3% of national electricity, yet only ~10% of treated water is intentionally reused. Achieving a circular water economy requires continuous, reliable water quality monitoring to enable safe water reuse and resource recovery (e.g., critical minerals and nutrients). This presentation highlights low-cost, real-time water quality sensors based on molecularly engineered 2D nanomaterials integrated into field-effect transistor (FET) platforms. These sensors detect water contaminants through conductivity changes upon analyte binding, enabling sensitive, selective detection of PFAS, heavy metals, bacteria, and nutrients. Promising for continuous, in-line monitoring, the FET sensing platform supports rapid decision-making for water reuse, resource recovery, and infrastructure management, advancing resilient and energy-efficient water systems.