Research focus in pollution prevention has shifted from treatment and control to design for the environment, which uses a holistic approach to ensure that all stages of the life cycle of a product or system are environmentally, economically and socially sustainable. Dr. Anctil uses proactive sustainability assessment to reduce the environmental impact of new technologies. Process based life-cycle assessment (LCA) is used to identify critical steps in current technologies and guide greener alternatives by combining theoretical environmental assessment and experimental work. Evaluating the environmental impact of photovoltaics technologies constitutes the core of her research. To ensure the long-term success of the photovoltaic industry, the potential negative impacts associated with current and future systems must me minimized throughout all stages from material extraction to end-of-life disposal. In addition to solar, she currently works on projects related to battery storage, nanomaterial synthesis and wastewater treatment.
