Nutrients, Energy, and Water Center for Agriculture Technology

At the N.E.W. Center, we are committed to developing sustainable nutrient, energy, and water systems

Together we create, test, and implement interdisciplinary solutions to agrifood sector issues by integrating and testing an array of emerging technologies in an effort to feed the future

The primary objective of The NEW Center is to determine how can we use emerging technology to make urban Controlled-Environment Agriculture technologically feasible and commercially viable.  Recognizing the interrelated nature of food, water, and energy systems, The NEW Center will focus on technological solutions to agri-food issues. We will leverage Artificial Intelligence to improve farming practices, Machine Vision to recognize and diagnose pathogens to sustain crop health, and novel approaches to nutrient recovery, energy efficiency, and wastewater treatment to make more efficient use of dwindling resources.


Dr. Yongsheng Chen’s research at The NEW Center is centered on advancing urban Controlled-Environment Agriculture through emerging technologies. Emphasizing the interconnectedness of food, water, and energy, his work seeks technological resolutions for agri-food challenges. Key areas of exploration include employing Artificial Intelligence for enhanced farming methods, utilizing Machine Vision for pathogen identification and crop health, and innovating in nutrient recovery, energy conservation, and wastewater management to optimize resource usage. Learn more