Center for Environmental Research & Technology

Environmental Solutions.
Real-World Impact.

The Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) is the largest research center at the University of California, Riverside. CE-CERT brings together engineering, environmental science and public policy to advance cleaner air, sustainable energy and intelligent transportation.

Through laboratory research, field testing and partnerships, CE-CERT develops practical solutions for communities, government and industry.

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Research Focus Areas

CE-CERT researchers work across four connected areas to understand environmental challenges, evaluate technologies and move solutions from the laboratory into real-world use.

Research and Testing Facilities

CE-CERT laboratories and field platforms support controlled experiments, technology validation, and real-world measurement across transportation, emissions, energy, and air quality.

Heavy-Duty Chassis Dynamometer

Supports full-scale emissions testing for diesel, compressed natural gas, hybrid, electric and hydrogen-powered trucks under realistic loads and drive cycles.

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Heavy-Duty Engine Dynamometer

Enables transient and steady-state engine testing, emissions measurement, fuel-performance studies and aftertreatment calibration.

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Mobile Emissions Laboratory

A field-ready laboratory supporting advanced emissions measurement for vehicles, equipment and other sources outside a fixed test cell.

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Light-Duty Emissions Laboratory

Supports ultra-low emissions testing for conventional, hybrid and electric vehicles in a controlled laboratory environment.

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Sustainable Integrated Grid Initiative

A living laboratory for solar generation, battery storage, electric vehicles, microgrid controls and resilient energy-system integration.

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Atmospheric Processes Laboratory

Environmental chambers and advanced instruments help researchers study air pollution, atmospheric chemistry, aerosols and exposure.

Explore APL →

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Research That Moves From the Laboratory to the Real World

30+ Years advancing environmental research

$200M+ In research funding since 1991

30 Research laboratories and testbeds

88 Current active research projects

NEWS

Seven members of the UC Riverside EcoCAR team stand beside R'VOLT, their blue Cadillac LYRIQ competition vehicle, at the General Motors Milford Proving Ground during the final EcoCAR EV Challenge in Michigan. Team members wear matching blue UCR EcoCAR jackets, with two other competition vehicles visible in the background under a clear sky.

June 29, 2026

UCR EcoCAR Team Completes Final Competition in Four-Year EV Challenge

The UC Riverside EcoCAR team traveled to Michigan in May for the fourth and final competition of the EcoCAR EV Challenge, closing out four years of work on R’VOLT, the team’s reengineered Cadillac LYRIQ.

Research poster from UC Riverside CE-CERT on air quality monitoring in urban rail environments, featuring the study objectives, portable sampling methods, monitoring equipment, and graphs comparing ultrafine particle and PM₁₀ concentrations across rail, bus, pedestrian, airport, and rural environments.

June 25, 2026

New Study Examines Air Quality Across Urban Transit Environments

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside’s Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) are advancing understanding of air quality conditions in transportation-related urban environments through a mobile monitoring study conducted across Southern California.

A CE-CERT researcher speaks at a community meeting in San Pedro, standing beside a projected presentation slide titled “San Pedro Air Quality Study.” The meeting was held at the Boys & Girls Club of the Los Angeles Harbor and focused on research examining the impact of ship emissions on local air quality.

June 22, 2026

CE-CERT Brings Ship Emissions Research to San Pedro Residents

In the community, monitoring sites in San Pedro will measure local air quality over time. These sites will track particulate matter, black carbon, carbonyls, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other chemical markers associated with ship emissions. The goal is to create long-term, place-based data that reflects neighborhood conditions.

June 18, 2026

UCR ITE student leader earns third place at regional presentation meeting

A UC Riverside electrical and computer engineering student earned third place at the 2026 Bob Crommelin Student Presentation Award Meeting, an annual conference hosted by the Riverside and San Bernardino chapter of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (RSBITE).

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Learn, Connect and Contribute

CE-CERT brings students, researchers, public agencies, companies and communities together around shared environmental challenges.

Partner With CE-CERT

Explore sponsored research, independent testing, technology validation, consortia and demonstration projects with CE-CERT researchers.

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Student Opportunities

Build hands-on experience through research, employment, scholarships, volunteer opportunities and multidisciplinary projects.

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Visit and Connect

Learn about tours, seminars, community programs, public events and ways to engage with CE-CERT.

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Advance Environmental Solutions With CE-CERT

Connect with our researchers, explore our testing capabilities or learn how to support CE-CERT’s work in cleaner air, sustainable energy and intelligent transportation.

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Center for Environmental Research and Technology

Environmental Solutions. Real-World Impact.