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Book

Ren, Z. J. & Pagilla, K., 2022. Pathways to Water Sector Decarbonization, Carbon Capture and Utilization, IWA Publishing, London, UK. https://doi.org/10.2166/9781789061796. (Open Access)

Journal Publications

2025

Song, C., et al. 2025. Discrepancy of National Inventories Reveals Significant Large Emission Gap in the Wastewater Sector. Nature Climate Change, pre-acceptance
Zhou, G., et al. 2025. Bioadaptive Ni Single Atoms Unlock High Rate Microbial Electrosynthesis of Isopropanol from CO2. Nature Communications, accepted
Yang, K., Yang, M., Chen, H., Zheng, S., Khandelwal, A., Priestley, R.D. and Ren, Z.J., 2025. Interfacial solar evaporation transforms brine mineral recovery. Science Advances, 11(38), p.eadx3242.
Zheng, S., Oelckers, B., Khandelwal, A. and Ren, Z.J., 2025. Interfacial solar evaporation for sustainable brine mining. Nature Water, pp.1-3. Princeton News, The Engineer, Chemical Engineer
Yan, Y., Song, C., Zhu, J.J., El Abbadi, S.H., Stokes-Draut, J. and Ren, Z.J., 2025. Methodology Discrepancy and Data Comparability of Greenhouse Gas Monitoring from Water Resource Recovery Facilities. Environmental Science & Technology. 59 (25), pp. 12567–12583.
Li, X., Song, C., El Abbadi, S.H., Stokes-Draut, J.R. and Ren, Z.J., 2025. The Impact of Clean Grid Transition on Wastewater Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 12 (2), 144-150.
Jiang, J., Du, L., Si, B., Kawale, H.D., Wang, Z., Summers, S., Lopez-Ruiz, J.A., Li, S., Zhang, Y. and Ren, Z.J., 2025. Pilot microbial electrolysis cell closes the hydrogen loop for hydrothermal wet waste conversion to jet fuel. Water Research, 268, p.122644.
Du, L., Jiang, J., Zhou, G., Yan, Y., Kingsbury, R.S., Ku, A.Y. and Ren, Z.J., 2025. Electrolytic hydrogen production from acidified wastewater effluent. Water Research, p.124672.
Yang, M., Zheng, S., Temprano-Coleto, F., Stone, H.A. and Ren, Z.J., 2025. High efficiency selenium recovery via reactive evaporation driven by wood-based evaporator. Chemical Engineering Journal, p.169106.
Cheng, Z., Xia, W., Zhu, J.J., Cao, J., Ren, Z.J. and Yuan, H., 2025. A comprehensive guideline for hybrid modeling of engineered microbial processes. Water Research, p.124559.
Granacher, J., Franzoi, R.E., Jiang, J., Summers, S., Li, S., Lopez-Ruiz, J.A., Zhang, Y., Ren, Z.J. and Maravelias, C.T., 2025. Drop-in fuel production from food waste: system level optimization and analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 520, p.145994.
Zhang, B., Fei, Y., Diao, M., Liu, T., Shaheen, S.M., Rinklebe, J., Zhou, S., Dong, H. and Ren, Z.J., 2025. Trivalent vanadium precipitation in siderite-dependent vanadate bioreduction by denitrifying bacteria in groundwater. Environmental Science & Technology, 59(32), pp.17059-17069.

2024

Song, C., Zhu, J.J., Yuan, Z., van Loosdrecht, M.C. and Ren, Z.J., 2024. Defining and achieving net-zero emissions in the wastewater sector. Nature Water, pp.1-9. (Cover Article), Nature Water Talks
Song, C., Zhu, J.J., Willis, J.L., Moore, D.P., Zondlo, M.A., and Ren, Z.J., 2024. Oversimplification and misestimation of nitrous oxide emissions from wastewater treatment plants. Nature Sustainability, pp.1-11.
Yan, Y., Zhu, J.J., May, H.D., Song, C., Jiang, J., Du, L., and Ren, Z.J., 2024. Methanogenic Potential of Sewer Microbiomes and Its Implications for Methane Emission. Environmental Science & Technology, 58, 45, 19990–19998. (Cover Article)
Zhou, G., Li, B., Cheng, G., Breckner, C.J., Dean, D.P., Yang, M., Yao, N., Miller, J.T., Klok, J.B., Tsesmetzis, N. and Wang, G., 2024. Concentrated C2+ Alcohol Production Enabled by Post-Intermediate Modulation and Augmented CO Adsorption in CO Electrolysis. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 146(46), pp.31788-31798.
Jiang, J., Du, L., Zhu, J.J., Ku, A.Y. and Ren, Z.J., 2024. Water Resource Recovery Facilities Empower the Electrolytic Hydrogen Economy. Environmental Science & Technology, 58(50), pp.22124-22134.
Lu, S., McGaughey, A., Im, S., Liu, Y., Wang, X., Leininger, A., Jassby, D., Hoek, E. and Ren, Z.J., 2024. Membrane electrolysis distillation for volatile fatty acids extraction from pH-neutral fermented wastewater. Water Research, 265, p.122306.
Zhu, J.J., Yang, M., Jiang, J., Bai, Y., Chen, D. and Ren, Z.J., 2024. Enabling GPTs for Expert-Level Environmental Engineering Question Answering. Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 11(12), pp.1327-1333.
Zhu, J.J., Boehm, A.B. and Ren, Z.J., 2024. Environmental Machine Learning, Baseline Reporting, and Comprehensive Evaluation: The EMBRACE Checklist. Environmental Science & Technology, 58(45), pp.19909-19912.
Yang, M., Zhu, J. J., McGaughey, A., Zheng, S., Priestley, R., Jassby, D., Hoek, E.M., Ren, Z.J., 2024. Machine Learning for Polymer Design to Enhance Pervaporation-based Organic Recovery. Environmental Science & Technology, 58, 23, 10128–10139. (Cover Article)
Leininger, A., Lu, S., Jiang, J., Bian, Y., May, H.D. and Ren, Z.J., 2024. The convergence of lactic acid microbiomes and metabolites in long-term electrofermentation. Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, 22, p.100459.
Bian, Y., Leininger, A.M., Zhang, W., Liang, Y. and Ren, Z.J., 2024. Co-valorization of Food Waste and CO2 to Produce Volatile Fatty Acids Using Liter-Scale Tubular Microbial Electrosynthesis Cells. ACS ES&T Engineering, 4, 9, 2243–2251.
Zheng, Y., Wang, H., Liu, Y., Liu, P., Zhu, B., Zheng, Y., Li, J., Chistoserdova, L., Ren, Z.J. and Zhao, F., 2024. Electrochemically coupled CH4 and CO2 consumption driven by microbial processes. Nature Communications, 15(1), p.3097.
Bian, Y., Leininger, A., May, H.D. and Ren, Z.J., 2024. H2 mediated mixed culture microbial electrosynthesis for high titer acetate production from CO2. Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, 19, p.100324.
Lu, S., Leininger, A., Jassby, D., Hoek, E.M., May, H.D. and Ren, Z.J., 2024. Temperature dependence of acids recovery from wastewater electro-fermentation. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 203, p.107407.
Gao, J., Ma, Q., Zhang, Y., Xue, S., Young, J., Zhao, M., Ren, Z.J., Kim, J.H. and Zhang, W., 2024. Coupling Curvature and Hydrophobicity: A Counterintuitive Strategy for Efficient Electroreduction of Nitrate into Ammonia. ACS Nano. 18, 14, 10302–10311. (Cover Article)
Sun, L., Wu, X., Jiao, Y., Jia, C., Teng, T., Lin, L., Yu, F., He, Z., Gao, J., Yan, S. and Shi, G., 2024. Millisecond self-heating and quenching synthesis of Fe/carbon nanocomposite for superior reductive remediation. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 342, p.123361.
Arnold, W.A., Boehm, A.B., Brooks, B.W., Martin, J.W., Mihelcic, J.R., Ren, Z.J., Schlenk, D. and Wang, S., 2024. Removing Our Brief (s). Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 11(5), pp.380-381.

2023

Chen, X., Yang, M., Zheng, S., Temprano-Coleto, F., Dong, Q., Cheng, G., Yao, N., Stone, H.A., Hu, L., Ren, Z.J. 2023. Spatially separated crystallization for selective lithium extraction from saline water. Nature Water, 1 (9), 808-817. (Cover Article, Princeton News, News & Views by Nature Water, Nature News Feature, Bloomberg News)
Jiang, J., Lopez-Ruiz, J.A., Leininger, A., Du, L., Yan, Y., May, H.D. and Ren, Z.J., 2023. Molecular Transformation and Metabolic Insights of Microbial Electrolysis Treatment and Valorization of Post-hydrothermal Liquefaction Wastewater. Green Chemistry, 25, 22, 9115-9125. (Cover Article)
Zhu, J.J., Yang, M. and Ren, Z.J., 2023. Machine Learning in Environmental Research: Common Pitfalls and Best Practices. Environmental Science & Technology, 57 (46), 17671-17689. (Cover article, Most Read Article)
Zhu, J.J., Jiang, J., Yang, M., Ren, Z.J., 2023. ChatGPT and Environmental Research. Environmental Science & Technology, 57 (46), 17667-17670. (Most Read Article)
Song, C., Zhu, J.J., Willis, J. L., Moore, D. P., Zondlo, M.A., Ren, Z.J., 2023. Methane Emissions from Municipal Wastewater Collection and Treatment Systems Environmental Science & Technology, 57, 6, 2248–2261.
Jiang, J., Lopez-Ruiz, J.A., Bian, Y., Sun, D., Yan, Y., Chen, X., Zhu, J., May, H.D. and Ren, Z.J., 2023. Scale-up and techno-economic analysis of microbial electrolysis cells for hydrogen production from wastewater. Water Research, p.120139.
Leininger, A., Chen, J., Ramaswami, A. and Ren, Z.J., 2023. Urban circular carbon economy through electrochemically influenced microbiomes. One Earth, 6(3), 278-289.
Moore, D.P., Li, N., Wendt, L., Castañeda, S., Falinski, M., Zhu, J.J., Song, C., Ren, Z. J., Zondlo, M. A. 2023. Underestimation of wastewater treatment methane emissions in the United States. Environmental Science & Technology, 57, 10, 4082–4090.
Yang, M., Li, B., Li, S., Dong, Q., Huang, Z., Zheng, S., Fang, Y., Zhou, G., Chen, X., Zhu, X. and Li, T., 2023. Highly Selective Electrochemical Nitrate to Ammonia Conversion by Dispersed Ru in a Multielement Alloy Catalyst. Nano Letters, 23 (16), 7733-7742. (Cover article)
Yang, M., Zhu, J. J., McGaughey, A., Zheng, S., Priestley, R., Ren, Z.J., 2023. Predicting Extraction Selectivity of Acetic Acid in Pervaporation by Machine Learning Models with Data Leakage Management. Environmental Science & Technology, 57 (14), 5934-5946.
Zheng, S., Song, C., Curria, M.C., Ren, Z.J. and White, C.E., 2023. Ca-Based Layered Double Hydroxides for Environmentally Sustainable Carbon Capture. Environmental Science & Technology, 57(45), 17212-17224.
Yan, Y., Zhang, J., Tian, L., Yan, X., Du, L., Leininger, A., Zhang, M., Li, N., Ren, Z.J. and Wang, X., 2023. DIET-like Mutualism of Geobacter and Methanogens at Specific Electrode Potential Boosts Production of both Methane and Hydrogen from Propionate. Water Research, 235, 119911.
McGaughey, A.L., Srinivasan, S., Zhao, T., Christie, K.S., Ren, Z.J. and Priestley, R.D., 2023. Scalable Zwitterionic Polymer Brushes for Antifouling Membranes via Cu0-Mediated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization. ACS Applied Polymer Materials. 5 (7), 4921-4932.
Im, S., Jung, B., Wang, X., Wu, J., Xiao, M., Chen, X., Quezada-Renteria, J.A., Iddya, A., Dlamini, D., Lu, S. and Maravelias, C.T., 2023. High-Efficiency Recovery of Acetic Acid from Water Using Electroactive Gas-Stripping Membranes. Environmental Science & Technology, 57 (27), 10096-10106.
Christie, K.S.S., McGaughey, A., McBride, S.A., Xu, X., Priestley, R.D. and Ren, Z.J., 2023. Membrane Distillation–Crystallization for Sustainable Carbon Utilization and Storage. Environmental Science & Technology, 57(43), 16628-16640.
Wang, X., Im, S., Jung, B., Wu, J., Iddya, A., Javier, Q.R.A., Xiao, M., Ma, S., Lu, S., Jaewon, B., Zhang, J., Ren, Z.J., Maravelias, C.T., Eric M.V. Hoek, E.M.V., Jassby, D.,2023. Simple and Low-Cost Electroactive Membranes for Ammonia Recovery. Environmental Science & Technology. 57, 25, 9405–9415.
Ren, Z.J., Lowry, G.V., Boehm, A.B., Brooks, B.W., Gago-Ferrero, P., Jiang, G., Jones, G.D., Liu, Q., Wang, S. and Zimmerman, J.B., 2023. Data Science for Advancing Environmental Science, Engineering, and Technology. Environmental Science & Technology, 57(46), 17661-17662.
Zhu, J.J., and Ren, Z.J., 2023. The evolution of research in resources, conservation & recycling revealed by Word2vec-enhanced data mining. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 190, 106876.
Xu, X., Eatmon, Y.L., Christie, K.S., McGaughey, A.L., Guillomaitre, N., Datta, S.S., Ren, Z.J., Arnold, C. and Priestley, R.D., 2023. Tough and Recyclable Phase-Separated Supramolecular Gels via a Dehydration–Hydration Cycle. JACS Au, 3(10), 2772-2779.
Xu, X., Guillomaitre, N., Christie, K.S., Bay, R.K., Bizmark, N., Datta, S.S., Ren, Z.J. and Priestley, R.D., 2023. Quick-Release Antifouling Hydrogels for Solar-Driven Water Purification. ACS Central Science, 9, 2, 177–185.
Sato, Y., Xiang, Y., Cooper, P., Cassol, G.S., Luo, Y., Zeng, Q., Shang, C., Ren, Z.J. and Chen, G., 2023. Evaluating UV254 absorbance reductions in landfill leachate for municipal sewage co-treatment through timed UV/electrooxidation. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 445, 130624.
Hu, J., Zeng, C., Liu, G., Ren, Z.J., Luo, H. and Teng, M., 2023. Carbon dots internalization enhances electroactive biofilm formation and microbial acetate synthesis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 411, 137333.
Zhang, W., Ji, Q., Zhang, G., Gu, Z., Wang, H., Hu, C., Liu, H., Ren, Z.J. and Qu, J., 2023. Pumping and sliding of droplets steered by a hydrogel pattern for atmospheric water harvesting. National Science Review, 10(12), nwad334.

2022

Zheng, S., Yang, M., Chen, X., White, C.E., Hu, L. and Ren, Z.J., 2022. Upscaling 3D Engineered Trees for Off-Grid Desalination. Environmental Science & Technology 56(2), 1289-1299.
Zhu, J.J., Sima, N.Q., Lu, T., Menniti, A., Schauer, P. and Ren, Z.J., 2022. Adaptive Soft Sensing of River Flow Prediction for Wastewater Treatment Operation and Risk Management. Water Research, 22,15,118714.
Iddya, A., Zarzycki, P., Kingsbury, R., Khor, C.M., Ma, S., Wang, J., Wheeldon, I., Ren, Z.J., Hoek, E. and Jassby, D., 2022. A reverse-selective ion exchange membrane for the selective transport of phosphates via an outer-sphere complexation–diffusion pathway. Nature Nanotechnology, 17(11), pp.1222-1228.
Jack, J., Fu, H., Leininger, A., Hyster, T.K. and Ren, Z.J., 2022. Cell-Free CO2 Valorization to C6 Pharmaceutical Precursors via a Novel Electro-Enzymatic Process. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 10(13), pp.4114-4121.
Yao, Y., Dong, Q., Brozena, A., Luo, J., Miao, J., Chi, M., Wang, C., Kevrekidis, I.G., Ren, Z.J., Greeley, J. and Wang, G., 2022. High-entropy nanoparticles: Synthesis-structure-property relationships and data-driven discovery. Science, 376(6589), p.eabn3103.
Zhao, W., Yan, B., Ren, Z.J., Wang, S., Zhang, Y. and Jiang, H., 2022. Highly selective butyric acid production by coupled acidogenesis and ion substitution electrodialysis. Water Research, 226, p.119228.
Jiang, J., Chen, X., Chen, X. and Ren, Z.J., 2022. Energy-efficient microbial electrochemical lignin and alkaline hydroxide recovery from DMR black liquor. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 186, p.106529.
Ren, Z.J., Lowry, G.V., Arnold, W.A., Brooks, B.W., Gago-Ferrero, P., Garcia, J.M., Leonard, K.C., Mills, M., Serrano, J.F., Wang, S. and Zimmerman, J.B., 2022. Data Science for the Transformation of Environmental and Chemical Research and Development. Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 9, 11, 877-878. Environmental Science & Technology https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c07679. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2022, 10, 44, 14392-14393.
Lowry, G.V., Boehm, A.B., Brooks, B.W., Gago-Ferrero, P., Jiang, G., Jones, G.D., Liu, Q., Ren, Z.J., Wang, S. and Zimmerman, J., 2022. Data Science for Advancing Environmental Science, Engineering, and Technology: Upcoming Special and Virtual Issues in ES&T and ES&T Letters. Environmental Science & Technology, 56, 14, 9827–9828.
Zhu, J,J., Borzooei, S., Sun, J., Ren, Z.J., 2022. Deep Learning Optimization for Soft Sensing of Hard-to-Measure Wastewater Key Variables. ACS ES&T Engineering, 2(7), pp.1341-1355.
Mao, Y., Hu, L. and Ren, Z.J., 2022. Engineered wood for a sustainable future. Matter, 5(5), pp.1326-1329.
Zhu, X., Jack, J., Leininger, A., Yang, M., Bian, Y., Lo, J., Xiong, W., Tsesmetzis, N. and Ren, Z.J., 2022. Syngas mediated microbial electrosynthesis for CO2 to acetate conversion using Clostridium ljungdahlii. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 184, p.106395.
Mei, X., Lu, B., Yan, C., Gu, J., Ren, N., Ren, Z.J. and Xing, D., 2022. The interplay of active energy harvesting and wastewater organic loading regulates fermentation products and microbiomes in microbial fuel cells. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 183, p.106366.
Xu, X., Bizmark, N., Christie, K.S., Datta, S.S., Ren, Z.J. and Priestley, R.D., 2022. Thermoresponsive Polymers for Water Treatment and Collection. Macromolecules. 55, 6, p.1894–1909.
Gu, J., Li, Z., Xie, G., Yang, Y., Liu, B., Ren, Z.J. and Xing, D., 2022. Electro-fermentation enhances H2 and ethanol co-production by regulating electron transfer and substrate transmembrane transport. Chemical Engineering Journal, 429, p.132223.
Chu, N., Hao, W., Wu, Q., Liang, Q., Jiang, Y., Liang, P., Ren, Z.J. and Zeng, R.J., 2021. Microbial Electrosynthesis for Producing Medium Chain Fatty Acids. Engineering. 16, 141-153.

2021

Zhu, J., Dressel, W., Pacion, K., and Ren, Z.J., 2021. ES&T in the 21st Century: A Data-Driven Analysis of Research Topics, Interconnections, And Trends in the Past 20 Years. Environmental Science & Technology 55, 6, p.3453–3464. (Front Cover, Feature, Editors’ Choice, Most Read Articles, Open Access) – interactive website for more info: https://starfriend10.github.io/EST/
Chen, X., He, S., Falinski, M., Wang, Y., Li, T., Zheng, S., Sun, D., Dai, J., Bian, Y., Zhu, Z., Jiang, J., Hu, L., Ren, Z. J. (2021). Sustainable Off-grid Desalination of Hypersaline Waters by Janus Wood Evaporator. Energy & Environmental Science, 14, 5347-5357. (Front Cover, Top 10 Hot Paper Collection)
Jack, J., Zhu, W., Avalos, J.L., Gong, J., Ren, Z. J. (2021). Anode co-valorization for scalable and sustainable electrolysis. Green Chemistry, 23, 7917-7936.
Zhong, S., Zhang, K., Bagheri, M., Burken, J.G., Gu, A., Li, B., Ma, X., Marrone, B.L., Ren, Z.J., Schrier, J., Shi, W., Tan H., Wang, T., Wang, X., Wong, B., Xiao X., Yu, X., Zhu, J., and Zhang, H. 2021. Machine Learning: New Ideas and Tools in Environmental Science and Engineering. Environmental Science & Technology, 55, 19, 12741–12754. (Front Cover, Feature, 2022 Best ES&T Feature Article)
Zhu, X., Leininger, A., Jassby, D., Tsesmetzis, N. and Ren, Z.J., 2021. Will Membranes Break Barriers on Volatile Fatty Acid Recovery from Anaerobic Digestion?. ACS ES&T Engineering, 1, 1, p.141–153.
Zhu, X., Jack, J., Bian, Y., Chen, X., Tsesmetzis, N. and Ren, Z.J., 2021. Electrocatalytic Membranes for Tunable Syngas Production and High-Efficiency Delivery to Biocompatible Electrolytes. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 9(17), pp.6012-6022.
Leininger, A. and Ren, Z.J., 2021. Circular utilization of food waste to biochar enhances thermophilic co-digestion performance. Bioresource Technology, 332, p.125130.
Xu, E.G. and Ren, Z.J., 2021. Preventing masks from becoming the next plastic problem. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 15(6).
Zhang, B., Shi, J., Diao, M., Myneni, S.C. and Ren, Z.J., 2021. Microbial Diversity and Biogeochemical Cycling of Nitrogen and Sulfur in the Source Region of the Lancang River on the Tibetan Plateau. ACS ES&T Water, 1(11), pp.2377-2389.
Chu, N., Hao, W., Wu, Q., Liang, Q., Jiang, Y., Liang, P., Ren, Z.J. and Zeng, R.J., 2021. Microbial Electrosynthesis for Producing Medium Chain Fatty Acids. Engineering. 16, 141-153
Jack, J. and Ren, Z.J., 2021. Metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) photoelectrodes: distance improves performance. National Science Review. nwab089
Zhang, Q., Smith, K., Zhao, X., Jin, X., Wang, S., Shen, J. and Ren, Z.J., 2021. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with urban water infrastructure: What we have learnt from China’s practice. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water, 8(4), p.e1529.
Tang, J., Bian, Y., Jin, S., Sun, D. and Ren, Z.J., 2021. Cathode Material Development in the Past Decade for H2 Production from Microbial Electrolysis Cells. ACS Environmental Au, 2, 1, 20–29.
Zhou, S., Liao, Z., Zhang, B., Hou, R., Wang, Y., Zhou, S., Zhang, Y., Ren, Z.J. and Yuan, Y., 2021. Photochemical Behavior of Microbial Extracellular Polymeric Substances in the Aquatic Environment. Environmental Science & Technology, 55(22), pp.15090-15099.
Sun, D., Bian, Y., Liu, P., Wang, H., Xu, T., Zhang, X., Liang, P., Ren, Z.J., Chen, X. and Huang, X., 2021. Electricity Enhances Biological Fe (III) Reduction and Phosphorus Recovery from FeP Complex: Proof of Concept and Kinetic Analysis. ACS ES&T Engineering. 1, 3, p. 523–532. (Front Cover)
Gu, J., Li, Z., Xie, G., Yang, Y., Liu, B., Ren, Z.J. and Xing, D., 2022. Electro-fermentation enhances H2 and ethanol co-production by regulating electron transfer and substrate transmembrane transport. Chemical Engineering Journal, 429, p.132223.
Gu, J., Li, Z., Xie, G., Yang, Y., Liu, B., Ren, Z.J. and Xing, D., 2021. Electro-fermentation enhances H2 and ethanol co-production by regulating electron transfer and substrate transmembrane transport. Chemical Engineering Journal, p.132223.
Yu, L., He, D., Zhang, E., He, Q., Li, J., Ren, Z.J. and Zhou, S., 2021. Electricity from anaerobic methane oxidation by a single methanogenic archaeon Methanosarcina barkeri. Chemical Engineering Journal, 405, p.126691.
Song, P., Xiao, Y., Ren, Z.J., Brooks, J.P., Lu, L., Zhou, B., Zhou, Y., Freguia, S., Liu, Z., Zhang, N. and Li, Y., 2021. Electrochemical biofilm control by reconstructing microbial community in agricultural water distribution systems. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 403, p.123616.
Huang, S., Shen, M., Ren, Z.J., Wu, H., Yang, H., Si, B., Lin, J. and Liu, Z., 2021. Long-term in situ bioelectrochemical monitoring of biohythane process: Metabolic interactions and microbial evolution. Bioresource Technology, 332, p.125119.

2020

Chen, X., Lobo, F. L., Bian, Y., Lu, L., Chen, X., Tucker, M. P., Wang, Y., & Ren, Z. J. (2020). Electrical decoupling of microbial electrochemical reactions enables spontaneous H2 evolution. Energy & Environmental Science, 13(2), 495-502. (Front Cover, Top 10 Hot article, ISMET Innovation Award)
Chen, X., Zhu, X., He, S., Hu, L., & Ren, Z. J. (2020). Advanced Nanowood Materials for the Water–Energy Nexus. Advanced Materials, 2001240.
Bian, Y., Chen, X., & Ren, Z. J. (2020). pH dependence of phosphorus speciation and transport in flow-electrode capacitive deionization. Environmental Science & Technology, 54(14), 9116-9123.
Wang, H., Lu, L., Chen, H., McKenna, A. M., Lu, J., Jin, S., Zuo, Y., Rosario-Ortiz, FL., & Ren, Z. J. (2020). Molecular Transformation of Crude Oil Contaminated Soil after Bioelectrochemical Degradation Revealed by FT-ICR Mass Spectrometry. Environmental Science & Technology, 54(4), 2500-2509.
Lu, L., Li, Z., Chen, X., Wang, H., Dai, S., Pan, X., Ren, Z.J., & Gu, J. (2020). Spontaneous Solar Syngas Production from CO2 Driven by Energetically Favorable Wastewater Microbial Anodes. Joule, 4(10), 2149-2161.
Jack, J., Lo, J., Donohue, B., Maness, P. C., & Ren, Z. J. (2020). High rate CO2 valorization to organics via CO mediated silica nanoparticle enhanced fermentation. Applied Energy, 279, 115725.
Zhang, B., Jiang, Y., Zuo, K., He, C., Dai, Y., & Ren, Z. J. (2020). Microbial vanadate and nitrate reductions coupled with anaerobic methane oxidation in groundwater. Journal of hazardous materials, 382, 121228.
Iddya, A., Hou, D., Khor, C. M., Ren, Z., Tester, J., Posmanik, R., Gross, A., & Jassby, D. (2020). Efficient ammonia recovery from wastewater using electrically conducting gas stripping membranes. Environmental Science: Nano. 7, 1759-1771.
Lo, J., Humphreys, J. R., Jack, J., Urban, C., Magnusson, L., Xiong, W., Gu, Y., Ren, Z.J., & Maness, P. C. (2020). The Metabolism of Clostridium ljungdahlii in Phosphotransacetylase Negative Strains and Development of an Ethanologenic Strain. Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology, 8.
Bhatt, A. H., Ren, Z. J., & Tao, L. (2020). Value Proposition of Untapped Wet Wastes: Carboxylic Acid Production through Anaerobic Digestion. iScience, 101221.
Wang, H., Cui, Y., Lu, L., Jin, S., Zuo, Y., Ge, Z., & Ren, Z. J. (2020). Moisture retention extended enhanced bioelectrochemical remediation of unsaturated soil. Science of The Total Environment, 138169.
Zhang, W., Chen, X., Zhang, G., Li, J., Ji, Q., Hu, C., Ren, Z. J., & Qu, J. (2020). A salt-rejecting anisotropic structure for efficient solar desalination via heat–mass flux decoupling. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 8(24), 12089-12096.
Liang, P., Ren, Z. J., & Huang, X. (2020). Capacitive deionization and electrosorption: from desalination to ion management. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 6(2), 241-242.
Park, E., Jack, J., Hu, Y., Wan, S., Huang, S., Jin, Y., Maness, P.C., Yazdi, S., Ren, Z., & Zhang, W. (2020). Covalent organic framework-supported platinum nanoparticles as efficient electrocatalysts for water reduction. Nanoscale, 12(4), 2596-2602.
Jack, J., Park, E., Maness, P. C., Huang, S., Zhang, W., & Ren, Z. J. (2020). Selective ligand modification of cobalt porphyrins for carbon dioxide electrolysis: Generation of a renewable H2/CO feedstock for downstream catalytic hydrogenation. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 119594.
Hutfles, J., Lumley, C., Chen, X., Ren, Z.J. Pellegrino, J., Graphene-integrated polymeric membrane as a flexible, multifunctional electrode. Chemical Engineering Science, 2019, 209, 115221.
Jin, K. S., Fallgren, P. H., Santiago, N. A., Ren, Z. J., Li, Y., & Jin, S. (2020). Monitoring in situ microbial activities in wet or clayey soils by a novel microbial-electrochemical technology. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 100695.
Dudley, H. J., Ren, Z. J., & Bortz, D. M. (2020). Competitive exclusion in a DAE model for microbial electrolysis cells. Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering: MBE, 17(5), 6217-6239.

2019

Hou, D., Jassby, D., Nerenberg, R., Ren, ZJ. Hydrophobic Gas Transfer Membranes for Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery, Environmental Science & Technology, 2019, 53, 20, 11618-11635.
Hou, D., Li, T., Chen, X., He, S., Dai, J., Mofid, S.A., Hou, D., Iddya, A., Jassby, D., Yang, R. and Hu, L., Ren, ZJ. Hydrophobic nanostructured wood membrane for thermally efficient distillation. Science Advances, 2019. 5(8), eaaw3203.
Wang, H., Lu, L., Chen, X., Bian, Y., Ren, ZJ. Geochemical and microbial characterizations of flowback and produced water in three shale oil and gas plays in the central and western United States, Water Research, 2019, 164, 114942.
Lu, L., Vakki, W., Aguiar, JA., Xiao, C., Hurst, K., Fairchild, M., Chen, X., Yang, F., Gu, J., Ren, ZJ. Unbiased solar H2 production with current density up to 23 mA/cm2 by swiss-cheese black Si coupled with wastewater bioanode, Energy & Environmental Science, 2019, 12, 1088-1099.
Zhang, B., Jiang, Y., Zuo, K., He, C., Dai, Y., Ren, Z. J. Microbial vanadate and nitrate reductions coupled with anaerobic methane oxidation in groundwater. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2020, 382, 121228.
Pan, Y. R., Wang, X., Ren, Z. J., Hu, C., Liu, J., Butler, D. Characterization of implementation limits and identification of optimization strategies for sustainable water resource recovery through life cycle impact analysis. Environment international, 2019, 133, 105266.
Lu, L., Lobo, FL., Xing, D., Ren, ZJ. Active harvesting enhances energy recovery and function of electroactive microbiomes in microbial fuel cells, Applied Energy, 2019, 247, 492-502.
Wang, H., Lu, L., Mao, D., Huang, Z., Cui, Y., Jin, S., Zuo, Y. and Ren, Z.J. Dominance of electroactive microbiomes in bioelectrochemical remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils with different textures. Chemosphere,2019,235, p776-784.
Bian, Y., Chen, X., Lu, L., Liang, P., Ren, ZJ. Concurrent nitrogen and phosphorus recovery using flow-electrode capacitive deionization, ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2019, 7, 8, 7844-7850.
Jack, J., Huggins, TM., Huang, Y., Fang, Y., Ren, ZJ. Production of magnetic biochar from waste-derived fungal biomass for phosphorus removal and recovery, Journal of Cleaner Production, 2019, 224, 100-106.
Jack, J., Lo, J., Maness, PC., Ren, ZJ. Directing Clostridium ljungdahlii fermentation products via hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio in syngas. Biomass and Bioenergy, 2019, 124, 95-101.
Ren, ZJ. Editorial Perspectives: the value proposition of resource recovery, Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 2019, 5, 196-197.
Chen, X., Katahira, R., Ge, Z., Lu, L., Hou, D., Peterson, D., Tucker, M., Chen, X., Ren, ZJ. Microbial electrochemical treatment of biorefinery black liquor and resource recovery. Green Chemistry, 2019, 21, 1258-1266. (Front Cover Article)
Jiang, Y., May, D.H., Lu, L., Liang, P., Huang, X., Ren, ZJ. Carbon Dioxide and Organic Waste Valorization by Microbial Electrosynthesis and Electro-fermentation, Water Research, 2019, 149, 42-55.
Bian, Y., Ge, Z., Albano, C., Lobo, F. L., & Ren, ZJ. Oily bilge water treatment using DC/AC powered electrocoagulation. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 5(10), 1654-1660.
Mei, X., Wang, H., Hou, D., Lobo, F.L., Xing, D. and Ren, Z.J., 2019. Shipboard bilge water treatment by electrocoagulation powered by microbial fuel cells. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 2019, 13(4), 53.
Shang, H., Zhu, X., Shen, M., Luo, J., Zhou, S., Li, L., Shi, Q., Zhou, D., Zhang, S., Chen, J. and Ren, Z.J., Decarbonylation reaction of saturated and oxidized tar from pyrolysis of low aromaticity biomass boost reduction of hexavalent chromium. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2019, 360, 1042-1050.
Dudley, H.J., Lu, L., Ren, Z.J. and Bortz, D.M., 2019. Sensitivity and Bifurcation Analysis of a Differential-Algebraic Equation Model for a Microbial Electrolysis Cell. SIAM Journal on Applied Dynamical Systems, 2019, 18(2), 709-728.
Ren, Z.J. The Rewards and Challenges of Interdisciplinary Collaborations, iScience, 2019, 20, 575–578.

2018

Lu, L., Guest, JS., Peters, CA., Zhu, X., Rau, GH., Ren, ZJ. Wastewater treatment for carbon capture and utilization, Nature Sustainability, 2018, 1, 750-758.
Rau, GH., Willauer, H., Ren, ZJ. The global potential for converting renewable electricity to negative-CO₂-emissions hydrogen, Nature Climate Change, 2018, 8, 621–625.
Hou, D., Iddya, A., Chen, X., Wang, M., Zhang, W., Ding, Y., Jassby, D., Ren ZJ. Nickel Based Membrane Electrodes Enable High Rate Electrochemical Ammonia Recovery, Environmental Science & Technology, 2018, 52 (15), 8930–8938.
Zhang, B., Qiu, R., Lu, L., Chen, X., He, C., Lu, J., Ren, ZJ. Autotrophic Vanadium (V) Bio-reduction in Groundwater by Elemental Sulfur and Zerovalent Iron. Environmental Science & Technology, 2018, 52 (13), 7434–7442.
Li, T., Wang, X., Zhou, QX., Liao, C., Zhou, L., Wan, L., An, J., Du, Q., Li, N., Ren, ZJ. Swift Acid Rain Sensing By Synergistic Rhizospheric Bioelectrochemical Responses. ACS Sensors, 2018, 3 (7), 1424–1430. (ACS Editor’s Choice Article)
Singer, S., Magnusson, L., Hou, D., Lo, J., Maness, P.C. and Ren, Z.J., Anaerobic membrane gas extraction facilitates thermophilic hydrogen production from Clostridium thermocellum. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 2018. 4(11), 1771-1782. (Front Cover Article)
Hao, S., Zhu, X., Liu, Y., Qian, F., Fang, Z., Shi, Q., Zhang, S., Chen, J., Ren, ZJ. Production Temperature Effects on the Structure of Hydrochar-derived Dissolved Organic Matter and Associated Toxicity. Environmental Science & Technology, 2018, 52 (13), 7486–7495.
Fang, Y., Zhou, W., Tang, C., Huang, Y., Johnson, DM., Ren, ZJ., Ma, W. Brönsted Catalyzed Hydrolysis of Microcystin-LR by Siderite. Environmental Science & Technology, 2018, 52 (11), 6426–6437.
Qian F., Zhu X., Liu Y., Shi Q., Wu L., Zhang S., Chen J., Ren ZJ. Influences of Temperature and Metal on Subcritical Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Hyperaccumulator: Implications for the Recycling of Hazardous Hyperaccumulators.Environmental Science & Technology, 2018, 52 (4), 2225–2234.
Jiang, Y., Lu, Lu., Wang, H., Shen, R., Ge, Z., Hou, D., Chen, X., Liang, P., Huang, X., Ren, ZJ. Electrochemical control of redox potential arrests methanogenesis and regulates products in mixed culture electro-fermentation, ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2018, 6 (7), 8650–8658.
Ge, Z., Chen, X., Huang, X., Ren, ZJ. Capacitive deionization for nutrient recovery from wastewater with disinfection capability, Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 2018, 4 (1), 33-39.
Gao, Y., Sun, D., Wang, H., Lu, L., Ma, H., Wang, L., Ren, ZJ., Liang, P., Zhang, X., Chen, X., Huang, X. Urine-powered synergy of nutrient recovery and urine purification in a microbial electrochemical system. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 2018, 4 (10), 1427-1438. (2018 ESWRT Best Paper)
Shen, R., Jiang, Y., Ge, Z., Lu, J., Zhang, Y., Liu, Z., Ren, ZJ. Microbial electrolysis treatment of post-hydrothermal liquefaction wastewater with hydrogen generation, Applied Energy, 2018, 212, 509-515.
Jiang, Y., Liang, P*., Huang, X., Ren, ZJ. A novel microbial fuel cell sensor with a gas diffusion biocathode sensing element for water and air quality monitoring, Chemosphere, 2018, 203, 21-25.
Zhu, X., Liu, Y., Qian, F., Shang, H., Wei, X., Zhang, S., Chen, JM., Ren, ZJ. Carbon Transmission of CO2 Activated Nano-MgO Carbon Composites Enhances Phosphate Immobilization, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2018, 6 (8), 3705-3713.
Liu, Y., Zhu, X., Wei, X., Zhang, S., Chen, J., Ren, ZJ. CO2 activation promotes available carbonate and phosphorus of antibiotic mycelial fermentation residue-derived biochar support for increased lead immobilization, Chemical Engineering Journal, 2018, 334, 1101-1107.
Sun, D., Gao, Y., Hou, D., Zuo, K., Chen, X., Liang, P., Zhang, X., Ren, ZJ., Huang, X. Energy-neutral sustainable nutrient recovery incorporated with the wastewater purification process in an enlarged microbial nutrient recovery cell, Journal of Power Sources, 384, 160-164.
Shrestha, N., Chilkoor, G., Wilder, J., Ren, ZJ., Gadhamshetty, V. Comparative performances of microbial capacitive deionization cell and microbial fuel cell fed with produced water from the Bakken shale, Bioelectrochemistry, 2018, 121, 56-64.
Fang, Y., Zhou, A., Yang, W., Araya, T., Huang, Y., Zhao, P., Johnson, D., Wang, J., Ren, ZJ. Complex Formation via Hydrogen bonding between Rhodamine B and Montmorillonite in Aqueous Solution, Scientific reports, 2018, 8 (1), 229.
Dudley, HJ., Lu, L., Ren, ZJ., Bortz, DM. Sensitivity and Bifurcation Analysis of a DAE Model for a Microbial Electrolysis Cell, 2018, arXiv:1802.06326.

2017

Ren, ZJ. Microbial fuel cells: Running on Gas. Nature Energy, 2017, 2, 17093. [PDF download]
Lu, L., Williams, N., Turner, JA., Maness, PC., Gu, J., Ren, ZJ. Microbial Photoelectrosynthesis for Self-sustaining Hydrogen Generation, Environmental Science & Technology, 2017, 51 (22), 13494–13501.
Mihelcic, JR*., Ren, ZJ*., Cornejo, PK., Fisher A., Simon, AJ., Snyder, SW., Zhang, Q., Rosso, D., Huggins, TM., Cooper, W., Moeller, J., Rose, B., Schottel, BL., Turgeon, J. Accelerating Innovation that Enhances Resource Recovery in the Wastewater Sector: Advancing a National Testbed Network, Environmental Science & Technology, 2017, 51 (14), 7749–7758. (Feature Article) [Most Read Articles in ES&T][PDF download]
Chen, X., Gao, Y., Hou, D., Ma, H., Lu, L., Sun, D., Zhang, X., Liang, P., Huang, X., Ren, ZJ. Microbial Electrochemical Current Accelerates Urea Hydrolysis for Nutrient Recovery from Source-separated Urine, Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 2017, 4 (7), 305–310. [Most Read Articles in ES&TL] [PDF download]
Zhu, X., Liu, Y., Qian, F., Lei, Z., Zhang, Z., Zhang, S., Chen, J., Ren, ZJ. Demethanation Trend of Hydrochar Induced by Organic Solvent Washing and its Influence on Hydrochar Activation Environmental Science & Technology, 2017, 51 (18), 10756–10764.
Hou, D., Lu, L., Sun, D., Ge, Z., Huang, X., Cath, TY., Ren, ZJ. Microbial Electrochemical Nutrient Recovery in Anaerobic Osmotic Membrane Bioreactors, Water Research, 2017, 114, 181-188. [PDF download]
Ge, Z., Chen, X., Huang, X., Ren, ZJ. Capacitive Removal and Recovery of Nutrients from Wastewater with Disinfection Capability, Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 2017, 2018,4, 33-39. [PDF download]
Huang, Z., Gong, A., Hou, D., Hu, L., Ren, ZJ. Conductive Wood Membrane Anode Improves Effluent Quality of Microbial Fuel Cells, Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 2017, 3, 940-946. [PDF download]
Lobo, F., Wang, X., Ren, ZJ. Energy harvesting influences electrochemical performance of microbial fuel cells, Journal of Power Sources, 2017, 356, 356-364. [PDF download]
Li, N., An, J., Wang, X., Wang, H., Lu, L., Ren, ZJ. Resin-enhanced Rolling Activated Carbon Electrode for Efficient Capacitive Deionization, Desalination, 2017, 419, 20-28. [PDF download]
Huang, Z., Lu, L., Jiang, D., Xing, D., Ren, ZJ. Electrochemical Hythane Production for Renewable Energy Storage and Biogas Upgrading, Applied Energy, 2017, 187, 595–600. [PDF download]
Alaraj, M., Roane, T., Ren, ZJ., Park, J. Dynamic Modeling of a Microbial Fuel Cell Considering Anodic Electron Flow and Electrical Charge Storage, Applied Energy, 2017, 193, 507-514. [PDF download]
Zhou, H., Liu, B., Wang, Q., Sun, J., Xie, G., Ren, N., Ren, ZJ, Xing, D. Pulse electromagnetic fields enhance extracellular electron transfer in magnetic bioelectrochemical systems, Biotechnology for Biofuels, 2017, 10:238.
Zhao, Q., Li, R*., Ji, M., Ren, ZJ. Long-term Performance of Sediment Microbial Fuel Cells with Multiple Anodes. Bioresource Technology, 2017, 237, 178-185. [PDF download]
Chen, X., Zhou, H., Zuo, K., Zhou, Y., Wang, Q., Sun, D., Gao, Y., Liang, P., Zhang, X., Ren, Z.J. and Huang, X., Self-sustaining advanced wastewater purification and simultaneous in situ nutrient recovery in a novel bioelectrochemical system. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2017, 330, 15 692-697.
[PDF download]
Zhang, J., Zhu, G*., Lv, N., Pan, X., Li, L., Ren, ZJ. The Establishment and Characteristics of Dominant Syntrophic Propionate Oxidation Bacteria and Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria in a Mixed Culture, Chemical Engineering Communications, 2017, Doi: 10.1080/00986445.2017.1328410. [PDF download]

2016

Huggins, TM., Whiteley, J., Love, C., Lee, K., Lee, S., Ren, ZJ*., Biffinger, J*. Controlled Growth of Nanostructured Biotemplates with Cobalt and Nitrogen Co-Doping as a Binderless Lithium-Ion Battery Anode. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2016, 8 (40), 26868–26877. [PDF download]
Ren, ZJ*., Umble, AK. Water Treatment: Recover Wastewater Resources Locally. NATURE, 2016, 529, 25. [PDF download]
Wang, X., Zhou, L., Lu, L., Lobo, F., Li, N., Wang, H., Park, J., Ren, ZJ*. Alternating Current Influences Anaerobic Electroactive Biofilm Activity. Environmental Science & Technology, 2016, 50 (17), 9169-9176. [PDF download]
Lu, L., Hou, D., Wang, X., Jassby, D., Ren, ZJ*. Active H₂ Harvesting Prevents Methanogenesis in Microbial Electrolysis Cells, Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 2016, 3 (8), 286-290. [Most Read Articles in ES&TL] [PDF download]
Mao, D., Lu, L., Revil, A*., Zuo, Y., Hinton, J., Ren, ZJ. Geophysical Monitoring of Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils Remediated with a Bioelectrochemical System, Environmental Science & Technology, 2016, 50 (15), 8205-8213 [PDF download]
Hou, D., Lu, L., Ren, ZJ*. Microbial Fuel Cells and Osmotic Membrane Bioreactors Have Mutual Benefits for Wastewater Treatment and Energy Production, Water Research, 2016, 98, 183-189. [PDF download]
Huggins, TM., Haeger, A., Biffinger, JC., Ren, ZJ*. Granular biochar compared with activated carbon for wastewater treatment and resource recovery Water Research, 2016, 94, 225-232. [PDF download]
Qian, F., Zhu, X., Liu, Y., Hao, S., Ren, ZJ., Gao, B., Zong, R., Zhang S*., Chen, JM. Synthesis, characterization and adsorption capacity of magnetic carbon composites activated by CO2: implication to the catalytic mechanisms of iron salts. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2016, 4, 18942-18951. [PDF download]
Liu, Q., Ren, ZJ., Huang, C., Liu, B., Ren, N., Xing, D*. Multiple syntrophic interactions drive biohythane production from waste sludge in microbial electrolysis cells, Biotechnology for Biofuels, 2016, 9, 162. [PDF download]
Zhao, Q., Li, R*., Ji, M., Ren, ZJ. Organic Content Influences Sediment Microbial Fuel Cell Performance and Community Structure, Bioresource Technology, 2016, 220, 549-556. [PDF download]
Huang, Z., Jiang, DJ., Lu, L., Ren, ZJ*. Ambient CO₂ capture and storage in bioelectrochemically mediated wastewater treatment. Bioresource Technology, 2016, 215, 380-385 [PDF download]
Lu, L., Hou, D., Fang, Y., Huang, Y., Ren, ZJ*. Nickel based catalysts for highly efficient H2 evolution from wastewater in microbial electrolysis cells. Electrochimica Acta, 2016, 206, 381-387. [PDF download]
Lu, G., Zhu, Y., Lu, L., Xu, K., Wang, H., Jin, Y., Ren, ZJ., Liu, Z., Zhang, W*. Iron-rich Nanoparticle Encapsulated, Nitrogen Doped Porous Carbon Materials as Efficient Cathode Electrocatalyst for Microbial Fuel Cells. Journal of Power Sources, 2016, 315, 302-307. [PDF download]
Lu, L., Fang, Y., Huang, Y., Ren, ZJ*. Self-sustaining carbon capture and mineralization via electrolytic carbonation of coal fly ash, Chemical Engineering Journal, 2016, 306, 330-335. [PDF download]
Lu, L., Ren, ZJ*. Microbial Electrolysis Cells for Waste Biorefinery: A State of the Art Review. Bioresource Technology, 2016, 215, 254-264 (invited review) [PDF download]
Ren, ZJ., Xing, D. A Tale of Two Labs – Our Academic Journeys in China and in the USA. (Journal blog) NatureJobs Blog. 2016, 2, 12. [PDF download]
Lobo, F., Wang, H., Huggins, T., Rosenblum, J., Linden, K., Ren, ZJ*. Low-energy Hydraulic Fracturing Wastewater Treatment via AC Powered Electrocoagulation with Biochar, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2016, 309,180-184. [PDF download]
Forrestal, C., Haeger, A., Dankovich, L., Cath, TY., and Ren, ZJ*. A Liter-scale Microbial Capacitive Deionization System for the Treatment of Shale Gas Wastewater. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 2016, 2, 353-361. [PDF download]
Huang, Z., Lu, L., Cai, Z., Ren, ZJ*. Individual and Competitive Removal of Heavy Metals Using Capacitive Deionization. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2016, 302, 323-331. [PDF download]
Huggins, T., Latorea, A., Biffinger, J., Ren, ZJ*. Biochar as an Electrode Material for Enhanced Wastewater Treatment and Nutrient Recovery in a Microbial Fuel Cell, Sustainability, 2016, 8 (2), 169. [PDF download]
Stoll, Z., Dolfing, J., Ren, ZJ., and Xu, P*. Interplay of anode, cathode and current in microbial fuel cells: implications for wastewater treatment. Energy Technology, 2016, 4, 583. [PDF download]
Huang, K., Tang, H*., Liu, D., Zhu, S., Ren, ZJ. A Review of Capacitive Deionization Technology: Part 3. Impact Factors. Environmental Engineering, 2016, S1, 101-106. (In Chinese) [PDF download]
Huang, K., Tang, H*., Liu, D., Zhu, S., Ren, ZJ. A Review of Capacitive Deionization Technology: Part 2. Electrode Materials. Environmental Engineering, 2016, S1, 89-100. (In Chinese) [PDF download]
Huang, K., Tang, H*., Liu, D., Zhu, S., Ren, ZJ. A Review of Capacitive Deionization Technology: Part 1. Theoretical Foundations. Environmental Engineering, 2016, S1, 82-88. (In Chinese) [PDF download]

2015

Lu, L., Huang, Z., Rau, G., Ren, ZJ*. Microbial Electrolytic Carbon Capture for Carbon Negative and Energy Positive Wastewater Treatment. Environmental Science & Technology, 2015,49, 8193-8201 [PDF download] [Featured by WE&T, ScienceDaily, NSF News]
Wang, H., Luo, H., Fallgren, P., Jin, S., Ren, ZJ*. Bioelectrochemical Platform for Sustainable Environmental Remediation and Energy Generation. Biotechnology Advances, 2015, 33, 317-334. [PDF download]
Lu, L., Zeng C., Wang, L., Yin, X., Jin S., Lu, A., Ren, ZJ*. Graphene Oxide and H2 Production from Bioelectrochemical Graphite Oxidation. Scientific Reports, 2015, 5, 16242. [PDF download]
Wang, H., Park, J., and Ren, ZJ*. Practical Energy Harvesting for Microbial Fuel Cells: A Review. Environmental Science & Technology, 2015, 49, 3267-3277. [PDF download] [Featured on ES&T Frontpage]
Lobo, FL., Wang, H., Forrestal, C., Ren, ZJ*. AC Power Generation from Microbial Fuel Cells. Journalof Power Sources, 2015, 297,252-259. [PDF download]
Lu, L., Xing, D., Ren, ZJ*. Microbial Community Structure Accompanied with Electricity Production in A Constructed Wetland Plant Microbial Fuel Cell. Bioresource Technology, 2015, 195, 115-121. [PDF download]
Huggins,TM., Pietron, JJ., Wang,H., Ren,ZJ*., Biffinger, JC*. Graphitic Biochar as a cathode electrocatalyst support for microbial fuel cells. Bioresource Technology, 2015, 95, 147-153. [PDF download]
Li, X., Wang, X*., Ren,ZJ., Zhang, X., Li, N., Zhou, Q* Sand Amendment Enhances Bioelectrochemical Remediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soil. Chemosphere, 2015, 141, 62-70. [PDF download]
Ma, D., Forrestal, C., Ji, M., Li, R., Ma, H., Ren, ZJ*. Membrane configuration influences microbial capacitive desalination performance. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 2015, 1 (3), 348-354.[PDF download]
Forrestal, C., Stoll, Z., Xu, P*., and Ren, ZJ*. Microbial Capacitive Desalination for Integrated Organic and Salt Removal and Energy Production from Unconventional Natural Gas Produced Water. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology , 2015, 1, 47-55 [PDF download] [Featured News Story by Chemistry World] [Journal Cover Story] [CBS News, CCTV, Science Daily, NSF News, Shale Energy] [2015 ES:WRT Most Downloaded Articles Top 10]
Lu, G., Yang, H., Zhu, Y., Huggins, T., Ren, ZJ., Liu, Z., Zhang, W*. Synthesis of a conjugated porous Co(II) porphyrinylene–ethynylene framework through alkyne metathesis and its catalytic activity study. Journal of Material Chemistry A , 2015, 3 (9), 4954-4959 [PDF download]
Lu, G., Zhu, Y., Xu, K., Jin, Y., Ren, ZJ, Liu, Z., Zhang, W*. Metallated porphyrin based porous organic polymers as efficient electrocatalysts. Nanoscale, 2015, 7 (43), 18271-18277. [PDF download]
Yazdi, H., Alzate-Gaviria, L., Ren, ZJ*. Pluggable microbial fuel cell stacks for septic wastewater treatment and electricity production. Bioresource Technology , 2015, 180, 258-263 [PDF download]
Stoll, Z., Forrestal, C., Ren, ZJ*, Xu, P. Shale Gas Produced Water Treatment Using Innovative Microbial Capacitive Desalination Cell. Journal of Hazardous Materials , 2015, 283, 847-855 [PDF download]
Wang, H., Heil, D., Ren, ZJ*, Xu, P*. Removal and Fate of Trace Organic Compounds in Microbial Fuel Cells. Chemosphere , 2015, 125, 94-101. [PDF download]
Liu, D., Tang, H., Huang, K., Xie L., and Ren, ZJ*. Progress in Membrane Capacitive Deionization and Microbial Capacitive Desalination Cell Technologies. Technology of Water Treatment, 2015, 41, 20-24. (in Chinese)

2014

Lu, L., Huggins, T., Jin, S., Zuo, Y., Ren., ZJ*. Microbial Metabolism and Community Structure in Response to Bioelectrochemically Enhanced Remediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon-contaminated Soil. Environmental Science & Technology, 2014, 48, 4021-4029. [PDF download]
Zhu, H1., Wang, H1., Li, Y., Bao, Z., Preston, C., Barcikowski, Z., Vaaland, O., Ren, ZJ*., Hu., L*., Lightweight, Conductive Hollow Fibers from Nature as Sustainable Electrode Materials for Microbial Energy Harvesting. Nano Energy, 2014, 10, 268-276 [PDF download] [Featured News Story by Materials Today]
Wang, H., and Ren, ZJ*. Bioelectrochemical metal recovery from wastewater: A review. Water Research , 2014, 66, 219-232 [PDF download]
Haeger, A., Forrestal, C., Xu, P., Ren, ZJ*. High Performance Spiral Wound Microbial Fuel Cell with Hydraulic Characterization, Bioresource Technology , 2014, 174, 287-293 [PDF download]
Forrestal, C., Huang, Z., and Ren, ZJ*. Percarbonate as a Naturally Buffering Catholyte for Microbial Fuel Cells. Bioresource Technology , 2014, 172, 429-432 [PDF download]
Lu, L.,Yazdi, H., Jin, S., Zuo, Y., Fallgren,P., Ren., ZJ*. Enhanced Bioremediation of Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soil Using Pilot-Scale Bioelectrochemical Systems. Journal of Hazardous Materials , 2014, 274, 8-15. [PDF download]
Huggins, T., Wang, H., Kearns, J., Jenkins, P., Ren, ZJ*. Biochar as a Sustainable Electrode Material for Electricity Production in Microbial Fuel Cells, Bioresource Technology , 2014, 157, 114-119. [PDF download]
Chookaew,T., Prasertsan, P., and Ren,ZJ*. Two-stage conversion of crude glycerol to energy using dark fermentation linked with microbial fuel cell or microbial electrolysis cell. New Biotechnology , 2014, 31, 179-184. [PDF download]
Ma, D., Li, R., Forrestal, C., Ren, ZJ., Ji, M*. Study on microbial capacity desalination cell. Journal of Environmental Science , 2014, 34, 1375-1380. (in Chinese) [PDF download]

2013

Wang, H., Ren,ZJ*. A Comprehenisve Review of Microbial Electrochemical Systems As A Platform Technology, Biotechnology Advances, 2013, 31 (8), 1796–1807. [PDF download]
Alaraj, M., Ren, ZJ., and Park, J*., Microbial Fuel Cell Energy Harvesting using Synchronous Flyback Converter, Journal of Power Sources, 2013, 247, 636-642. [PDF download]
Huggins, T., Fallgren, F., Jin, S., Ren, ZJ*. Energy and Performance Comparison of Microbial Fuel Cell and Conventional Aeration Treating of Wastewater Journal of Microbial Biochemical Technology, S, 2013, S6, 002 [PDF download]
Fallgren, P., Zeng, C., Ren, ZJ., Lu, A., Ren, S., Jin. S*. Feasibility of Microbial Production of New Natural Gas from Non-gas-producing Lignite, International Journal of Coal Geology, 2013, 115, 79–84. [PDF download]
Fallgren, P., Jin, S., Zeng, C., Ren, ZJ., Lu, A., Colberg, PS*. Comparison of Coal Rank for Enhanced Biogenic Natural Gas Production. International Journal of Coal Geology, 2013, 115, 92 –96. [PDF download]
Ren, Z*., 2013. Chapter 19: The Principle and Applications of Bioelectrochemical Systems, In: Gupta V.K., Biofuel Technologies, Springer, 2013, 501-527.

2012

Wang, H., Park, J., and Ren, Z*. Active Energy Harvesting from Microbial Fuel Cells at the Maximum Power Point without Using Resistors. Environmental Science & Technology 2012, 46(9), 5247-5252 [PDF download]. [News Release]
Forrestal, C., Xu, P., and Ren, Z*. Sustainable Water Desalination Using a Capacitive Microbial Desalination Cell. Energy Environmental Science, 2012, 5, 7161-7167 [PDF download]
Rhodes, E., Ren, Z., and Mays, D*., Zinc Leaching from Tire Crumb Rubber. Environmental Science & Technology 2012, 46, 12856−12863 [PDF download]
Luo, H., Xu, P., Roane, TM., Jenkins, PE., and Ren, Z*. Microbial Desalination Cells for Improved Performance in Wastewater Treatment, Electricity Production, and Desalination, Bioresource Technol ogy 2012, 105, 60-66 [PDF download]
Luo, H., Xu, P., Jenkins, PE., and Ren, Z*. Ionic Composition and Transport Mechanisms in Microbial Desalination Cells. Journal of Membrane Science 2012, 409-410, 16-23 [PDF download]
Luo, H., Xu, P., Jenkins, PE., and Ren, Z*. Long-term performance and characterization of microbial desalination cells in treating domestic wastewater. Bioresource Technology, 2012, 120, 187–193 [PDF download]
Forrestal, C., Xu, P., Jenkins, PE., and Ren, Z*. Microbial Desalination Cell with Capacitive Adsorption for Ion Migration Control Bioresource Technology, 2012, 120, 332–336 [PDF download]
Park, J., and Ren, Z*. Hysteresis Controller Based Maximum Power Point Tracking Energy Harvesting System for Microbial Fuel Cells. Journal of Power Sources, 2012, 205, 151-156 [PDF download]
Park, J., and Ren, Z*. High efficiency energy harvesting from microbial fuel cells using a synchronous boost converter. Journal of Power Sources 2012, 208, 322-327 [PDF download]
Park, J., and Ren, Z*. Hysteresis Controller based Energy Harvesting Scheme for Microbial Fuel Cells with Parallel Operation Capability. IEEE Trans Energy Conversion, 2012, 99, 1-10. [PDF download]
Wang, H., Ren, Z*., Park, J*. Power electronic converters for microbial fuel cell energy extraction: Effects of inductance, duty ratio, and switching frequency, Journal of Power Sources 2012, 220, 89-94 [PDF download]
Wang, W., Jenkins, PE., and Ren, Z*. Electrochemical corrosion of carbon steel exposed to biodiesel/simulated seawater mixture. Corrosion Science, 2012, 57,215-219 [PDF dowload]
Ren, Z*., Bug Power: Microbial Fuel Cell Technology for Sustainable Water Infrastructure. For RUMBLES – Official Bi-Monthly Magazine of the Rocky Mountain Section of the AWWA and the Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association, July, 2012. [PDF download]

2011

Luo, H., Jenkins, PE., and Ren, Z*. Concurrent desalination and hydrogen generation using microbial electrolysis and desalination cells, Environmental Science & Technology 2011, 45(1), 340-344. [PDF download] [News Release]
Ren, Z*., Yan, H., Wang W., Mench, MM., and Regan, JM. Characterization of Microbial Fuel Cells at Microbially and Electrochemically Meaningful Timescales. Environmental Science & Technology 2011, 45(6), 2435-2441. [PDF download]
Wang, H., Wu, Z., Plaseied, A., Jenkins, P., Simpson, L., Engtrakul, C., Ren, Z*. Carbon Nanotube Modified Air-cathodes for Electricity Production in Microbial Fuel Cells. Journal of Power Sources , 2011, 196 (18), 7465-7469 [PDF download]
Wang, H., Davidson, M., Zuo, Y., Ren, Z*. Recycled Tire Crumb Rubber Anodes for Sustainable Power Production in Microbial Fuel Cells. Journal of Power Sources , 2011, 196(14), 5863-5866 [PDF download]
Ren, Z., Ramasamy, RP., Yan, H., Cloud-Owen, SS., Mench, MM., and Regan, JM*. Time-course correlation of biofilm properties and electrochemical performance in single chamber microbial fuel cells.Bioresource Technology, 2011, 120(1), 416-421. [PDF download] [Supplementary Data]
Wang, W., Jenkins, PE., and Ren, Z. Heterogeneous Corrosion Behaviour of Carbon Steel in Water Contaminated Biodiesel. Corrosion Science 2011, 53(2), 845-849. [PDF download]

Before 2010

Ren, Z., Steinberg, LM., and Regan, JM Electricity production and microbial biofilm characterization in cellulose-fed microbial fuel cells. Water Science & Technol ogy 2008, 58(3): 623-628. [PDF download]
Ramasamy, RP., Ren, Z., Mench, MM., and Regan, JM. Impact of initial biofilm growth on anode impedance of microbial fuel cells. Biotechnology & Bioengineering 2008, 101(1): 101-108. [PDF download]
Ren, Z., Ward, TW., and Regan, JM. Electricity production from cellulose in a microbial fuel cell using a defined binary culture. Environmental Science & Technology 2007, 41(13); 4781- 86. [PDF download]
Ren, Z., Ward, TW., Logan, BE., and Regan, JM. Characterization of the cellulolytic and hydrogen-producing activities of six mesophilic Clostridiumspecies. Journal of Applied Microbiololy. 2007, 103(6); 2258-66. [PDF download]
Ji, M., Liu, W., Ren, Z., Sun, L. Removal of organic matters and disinfection by-products precursors from micropolluted raw water by the new combined processes, Technology of Water Treatment 2004, 30(6), 333-337. (in Chinese)
Sun, L., Ji, M., Ren, Z., Liu, W. Treatment of Slightly Polluted Raw Water by Ceramisite Bio-Filter and Activated Micro-Flocculation Filter. Water & Wastewater Engineering 2003, 29(12), 24-27. (in Chinese)
Ji, M., Ren, Z., Song, Y., Dong, G., Yang, Z. Combined uascb-mbbr system for the treatment of ice-cream wastewater. Environmental Engineering, 2002, 21 (1), 18-20. (in Chinese)
Ren, Z., Qi, Y., Li, R. Biological nitrogen removal in drinking water treatment, Urban Environment and Urban Ecology, 2002, 15(3), 54-56. (in Chinese)
Li, R., Ji, M., Ren, Z., Hu, Z., Ma, W. Approaches to the Development and Problems of Research and Application of Activated Sludge Model, Industrial Water & Wastewater, 2002, 33(4), 4-6. (in Chinese)
Ji, M., Zhou, J., Ren, Z., Li, R., Jia, X. Comparison on Bio-Contact Oxidation Tank and Ceramic Bio-Filter Processes for Micro-Polluted Raw Water Pre-Treatment, Water & Wastewater Engineering, 2002, 28 (10), 26-29. (in Chinese)

Princeton WET LAB

Water & Energy Technologies at Princeton University

Publications