Engineers' Forum, April 2026

Abstract

Virginia Tech recently began a +$11 million project to store over 50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in a regional facility underground. The project is in collaboration with the Roanoke Cement plant, the only plant of its kind in the state, and has the potential to advance decarbonization efforts across the construction materials industry and beyond. If you’re interested, Sahithi Sarva highlights this project in this issue. Do you have a million-dollar idea? Or do you want to join a team that has one? Either way, the Apex Center at Virginia Tech is a tremendously valuable resource for anyone interested in either starting or joining an early-stage company or start-up. All you need to do is go and start talking to people. Check out this article by Mircea Nemes for more information. Are you interested in helping people and honing your problem-solving skills? The Giving Innovative Futures with Technology design team at Virginia Tech is looking to design solutions to problems around the Hokie community. This work by Annabell Koehler highlights the details about this up-and-coming team, including how to get started. Have you ever seen plastic around campus, or anywhere for that matter, and wondered if there could be a better outcome for it? An innovative research group from Virginia Tech has discovered a process that can convert end-of-life plastic waste (e.g., old milk jugs, plastic bags, or other products) into soaps and detergents. Check out this article by John Cabrera to learn more!