John Howarter

John Howarter is an Associate Professor in the School of Materials Engineering and Environmental and Ecological Engineering at Purdue University. His research focuses on reducing the operational energy footprint of polymer membranes, particularly in desalination and industrial wastewater treatment. He holds a PhD in Materials Engineering from Purdue (2008) and previously served as a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) postdoctoral fellow.

Research interests include polymer membrane design, environmental sustainability of materials, and chemical process safety. His work addresses challenges in water treatment, emissions from plastic linings, and sustainable manufacturing practices. Key areas include spontaneous emulsification, flame-retardant epoxy systems, and the environmental impact of cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) rehabilitation.

• Education: PhD in Materials Engineering, Purdue University (2008)

His research has explored topics ranging from bone mechanics and cement hydration to thermal interface materials. He advises six graduate students and has contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed publications.

Awards: None explicitly listed in the provided texts.

Grants and collaborations include studies on semiconductor sustainability, rare earth element recovery, and CIPP environmental impacts. His lab focuses on interdisciplinary solutions for energy-efficient materials and environmental engineering challenges.