If you experience any technical difficulties with this video or would like to make an accessibility-related request, please send a message to [email protected]. 6/5/14 Steven J. Sibener, Carl William Eisendrath Distinguished Service Professor, Department of Chemistry and the James Franck Institute; Director, UChicago Institute for Molecular Engineering Water Research Initiative The availability of fresh water for human consumption is becoming increasingly constrained around the world. Such shortages will increase in the future due to rising demand and the depletion of extant water resources, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. The UChicago Water Research Initiative, in partnership with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, seeks to address some of the most critical technological issues in water resource development. This presentation will give a snapshot of water utilization, stresses, and opportunities for technological solutions.