Penn State Energy and Environment News

IceCube researchers detect a rare type of energetic neutrino sent from powerful astronomical objects

| theconversation.com

Tau neutrinos are notoriously difficult to spot in detectors like IceCube. But researchers have managed to isolate 7 candidates.

After a long slog, climate change lawsuits will finally put Big Oil on trial

| yahoo.com

After years of legal appeals and delays, some oil companies are set to stand trial in lawsuits brought by state and local governments — including in Minnesota — over the damages caused by climate change. This article quotes Hannah Wiseman, professor of law at Penn State Law.

US government commits $2.5M to battery-testing center at Penn State Behrend

| psu.edu

Penn State Behrend has been awarded $2.5 million in federal funding to develop a battery-testing facility in the college’s Knowledge Park, where a planned Center for Manufacturing Competitiveness will support the transition to battery-powered heavy-haul equipment in the rail, marine and mining industries.

Capstone Design Conference to showcase student innovation and creativity

| psu.edu

Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Science, Engineering and Technology will hold its annual Capstone Design Conference from 12:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 26, on campus.

College of Ag Sciences faculty, extension leader engage in leadership program

| psu.edu

Two Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences faculty members and an assistant director with Penn State Extension recently furthered their knowledge of leadership principles by completing the LEAD21 leadership development program, a national yearlong program to develop leaders in land-grant institutions and their strategic partners who link research, academics and extension and can navigate an increasingly complex environment to lead more effectively in their current or future leadership positions. 

$1 million gift to create scholarships and upgrade engineering facilities

| psu.edu

Ronald and Martha Tirpak have stepped forward with a $1 million commitment to expand affordability through scholarships and to ensure the College of Engineering has access to modern, state-of-the-art facilities.

Winners announced for 16th annual Materials Visualization Competition

| psu.edu

The winners of the 16th annual Materials Visualization Competition, a scientific visual and artistic competition sponsored by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Materials Research Institute at Penn State, have been announced.

Six Penn State faculty elected to 2023 cohort of AAAS Fellows

| psu.edu

Six Penn State faculty members in areas ranging from neuropharmacology to computer architecture have been elected to the 2023 cohort of fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest general scientific society. This year, AAAS recognized a total of 502 scientists, engineers and innovators with this lifetime honor, bestowed by their peers, for their scientifically and socially distinguished achievements.

David M. Callejo Pérez named chancellor at Penn State Harrisburg

| psu.edu

David M. Callejo Pérez has been named chancellor and dean of Penn State Harrisburg, effective May 1. He has served as interim chancellor and dean at the college since October of 2023.

Researchers can now access their financial accounts in updated portal

| psu.edu

Penn State’s Office of Research Information Systems has updated its researcher portal by adding a new module, called myFunds, that enables researchers to more easily navigate and manage their accounts, including grants and startup funds. The action is part of the Research Support Transformation Project, which aims to reduce administrative burdens and increase the efficiency of operations.

Penn State Climate Consortium awards 11 climate action workshops

| psu.edu

Penn State Climate Consortium announced 11 workshops designed to create and implement climate change solutions through its Climate Solutions Accelerator program.

Democratic state Senators want to end wastewater dumping on Pennsylvania roads

| penncapital-star.com

The practice is called road spreading and experts testified it’s still happening around the state despite a DEP ban. This article mentions Penn State research and quotes William Burgos, professor of civil and environmental engineering.