Penn State Energy and Environment News

Q&A: How can advanced chip packaging help redesign the future of semiconductors?

| psu.edu

Penn State engineers Madhavan Swaminathan and Daniel Lopez explain in a Q&A the importance of advanced chip packaging to the U.S. semiconductor industry and how Penn State-led initiatives help turn innovations in the lab into reliable domestic production.

Why is breaking down plant material for biofuels so slow?

| psu.edu

New research led by Penn State investigators has revealed how several molecular roadblocks slow the breakdown of cellulose for biofuel production. This process, if accelerated, could avoid concerns around using a food source like corn for biofuels while taking advantage of abundant plant materials that might otherwise go to waste.

S. Shyam Sundar named Evan Pugh University Professor

| psu.edu

S. Shyam Sundar, the James P. Jimirro Professor of Media Effects, director of the Penn State Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence and founding director of the Media Effects Research Laboratory, has been named an Evan Pugh University Professor, the highest honor that Penn State bestows on a faculty member.

NSF grant to fund research on genetics and physiology of corn kernel development

| psu.edu

A research team in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has received a grant of nearly $1 million from the U.S. National Science Foundation to fund a novel project investigating the molecular and physiological processes that support corn kernel development.

Flam: A century of bad choices will haunt Earth for 100,000 years

| pressdemocrat.com

Some say this era should be dubbed the Anthropocene because of the effect humanity is having on the planet. This article quotes Richard Alley, Evan Pugh Professor of Geosciences.

Spotted lanternflies pose a major threat to vineyards. Centre County wineries are on alert

| yahoo.com

The invasive insect can have a damaging effect on Happy Valley’s vineyards if a large population takes hold this season. This article quotes Brian Walsh, educator with Penn State Extension, and Michela Centinari, associate professor of viticulture.

'The Cape Cod jungle': What you should know about invasive plants

| yahoo.com

Those darn invasive plants can really take a toll on Cape Cod gardens -- here are some tips on how to battle back. This article quotes Penn State Extension expertise.

Fracking waste wells owned by an Ohio senator are leaking. The state paid $1.3 million to clean it up

| msn.com

Injection wells owned by an Ohio state senator leaked fracking waste deep underground in Noble County before blasting through the surface miles away at an oil well, warranting a $1.3 million cleanup effort. This article quotes Dave Yoxtheimer, assistant research professor of earth and mineral sciences.

TikTok's raw milk influencers are going to give us all bird flu

| motherjones.com

Influencers love unpasteurized milk—and so does the H5N1 virus. This article quotes Jessica Myrick, professor of health communications.

Behrend graduate HanBin Lee receives Alumni Achievement Award

| psu.edu

HanBin Lee, a 2014 graduate of Penn State Behrend, was recently honored as one of 11 Penn State Alumni Achievement Award recipients. He is the first Korean person to receive the honor, which recognizes alumni 35 years of age and younger.

Réka Albert named Evan Pugh University Professor

| psu.edu

Réka Albert, distinguished professor of physics and biology at Penn State, has been named an Evan Pugh University Professor, the highest honor that Penn State bestows on a faculty member. 

Five faculty members honored with Evan Pugh University Professorships

| psu.edu

Five Penn State professors have been named Evan Pugh University Professors, the highest honor bestowed upon faculty at the University, effective July 1: Réka Albert, distinguished professor of physics and biology; Suresh Canagarajah, Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of Applied Linguistics, English, and Asian Studies; Vijaykrishnan Narayanan, A. Robert Noll Chair Professor of Computer Science and Engineering; Clive Randall, distinguished professor of materials science and engineering; and S. Shyam Sundar, James P. Jimirro Professor of Media Studies.