Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Archives

aerial view of a wastewater treatment plant

Jun 11, 2025

Researchers Create New Way to Remove Phosphorus from Contaminated Water

Researchers have created an inexpensive material that can filter phosphorus from contaminated surface waters, drinking water supplies or wastewater streams and reuse the phosphorus for agricultural applications.

Apr 8, 2025

Jacob Jones Wins Holladay Medal

This week, STEPS Center Director Jacob Jones was awarded the Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal for Excellence, the highest honor bestowed by NC State and the university’s Board of Trustees.

Feb 21, 2025

Jacob Jones Highlights Phosphorus Sustainability at UM6P Science Week

Jacob Jones, Director of the STEPS Center and Kobe Steel Distinguished Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, delivered a keynote on phosphorus sustainability at UM6P’s Science Week, highlighting Morocco’s central role in global sustainability efforts.

Jacob Jones, left, of the Material Science and Engineering Department and Blake Kennedy of the Clay Studio.

Jul 18, 2024

Sculpting and scanning

A collaboration between Blake Kennedy of the Clay Studio and Jacob Jones of the Material Science and Engineering Department for an Envisioning Research contest is a further example of the connections between STEM and the arts at NC State.

NC State faculty visiting UM6P in 2022. Group pose in a long line facing the camera while standing in a brick courtyard with brick buildings in the background.

Jan 23, 2024

NC State and University Mohammed VI Polytechnic announce MOU to advance phosphorus sustainability

NC State University (Raleigh, NC) and the University Mohammed IV Polytechnic (UM6P; Ben Guerir, Morocco) are pleased to announce that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to pursue collaborative research projects and expand educational and training opportunities in phosphorus (P) sustainability.

angular metal arch silhouetted against a cloudy sky

Jul 6, 2023

Is our phosphorus use sustainable? Most stakeholders doubt it

The study underscores the complex challenges facing efforts to ensure our continued access to a critical agricultural and industry resource.

CCEE Associate Professor Doug Call, left, demonstrates research materials to Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Arati Prabhakar, right.

Feb 17, 2023

CCEE sustainability research highlighted on White House science advisor campus visit

Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Arati Prabhakar visited NC State’s campus last week to see how university researchers are creating cleaner energy systems.

Dr. Jacob Jones, right, talks with three female students in the STEPS lab.

Dec 6, 2022

STEPS Center takes on phosphorus sustainability

In the first year since the Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center launched, 20 research projects are in progress — all working toward the goal of reducing dependence on phosphorus mining and the amount of phosphates lost to water and soil.

Postdoctoral researcher Lisa Van den Broeck, left, evaluates 3D bioprinted plant cells before STEPS Center director Jacob Jones, right, examines them.

Jun 7, 2022

STEPS Center tackles full scope of phosphorus sustainability

Headquartered at NC State, the Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability Center is discovering and developing ways to recycle phosphorus, make our food system more efficient, and protect the environment from waste.