Penn State Energy and Environment News

Energy and mineral engineering to host annual research showcase Oct. 3

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The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences’ John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering will host its annual research showcase, “Rising to the Challenge,” from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Graduate State College Regency Ballroom in State College.

Two Penn State researchers join Institutes of Energy and the Environment

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Penn State researchers Jose D. Fuentes, professor of meteorology, and Feifei Shi, assistant professor of energy engineering, have joined the Institutes of Energy and the Environment. Both are faculty members in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.

Penn State researchers lead the way in Water-Energy-Food research in Africa

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Three Penn State researchers — Rachel Brennan, in the College of Engineering, and Mike Jacobson and Brian Thiede, in the College of Agricultural Sciences — recently received $250,000 in University Strategic Plan seed funding to address global Water-Energy-Food challenges.

Five Penn State researchers awarded grants by Kaufman Foundation

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The Charles E. Kaufman Foundation has selected two projects led by Penn State researchers to receive New Initiatives grants in 2019.

Four new faculty members join Department of Chemical Engineering

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Four new faculty members joined Penn State’s Department of Chemical Engineering this academic year.

Innovating vehicle technology possible with new mechanical engineering faculty

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Herschel Pangborn, a State College native, is returning to Penn State in January 2020 as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering.

Nanotechnology expert joins industrial engineering department

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Hongtao Sun, an expert in nanoscience and nanotechnology, will join the Penn State Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering as an assistant professor on Aug. 15. He is also a co-hire of the Materials Research Institute.

Researchers develop novel process to fabricate battery materials

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By discovering a way to combine lithium salts with ceramics, researchers in the Penn State College of Engineering and the Penn State Materials Research Institute may have created a new class of materials for longer-lasting batteries. According to researchers, the composite nature of the batteries could make recycling easier, reducing landfill waste.

Penn State-led Global Building Network at forefront of building performance

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A large-scale interdisciplinary effort led by Penn State, called the Global Building Network, is underway to create high-performance buildings, which are buildings capable of achieving net-zero carbon-based energy usage while increasing occupant performance and reducing health risks.

Microgrids, major changes: Professor leading effort to redesign power grid

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When Hurricane Sandy hit the eastern seaboard in 2012, entire city skylines went completely black with the curious exception of a few small areas still emitting light, thanks to their use of combined heat and power systems, a key component to microgrids. Jim Freihaut, professor of architectural engineering in the Penn State College of Engineering, sees these microgrids not as exceptions but as the norm of the future.

New IEE leaders mindful of energy, environmental challenges

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Bruce Logan and Erica Smithwick have been named associate directors for the Institutes of Energy and the Environment.

College of Engineering announces faculty promotions

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Fourteen Penn State College of Engineering faculty members have been selected for promotions, effective July 1, 2019.