Past Events: Penn State Energy and Environment Calendar Archive

CONSOL Energy is approaching its ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) goals through innovation in its business model. Jacquie Fidler, vice president of Environmental & Sustainability at CONSOL Energy Inc., will provide some examples of their successes.  

This talk will discuss the human tendency to over-trust technology, especially AI. It will explore the psychological reasons behind this phenomenon by articulating key aspects of the speaker’s theoretical models that are supported by empirical data. It will outline the consequences of trusting technology too much, and make the case for practicing socially responsible AI. The Millennium Café runs 10-11am in the 3rd floor Café Commons of the MSC Bldg. 

In his famous Nobel lecture, Herbert Kroemer stated, “The interface is the device”, referring to the remarkable properties found at the junctions where layers of different materials meet. However, if the interface is to become the device, then understanding it at the atomic scale is essential. In this talk, I will discuss the important roles interfaces play in boosting the performance and stability of established and emergent technologies such as solar cells, rechargeable batteries, and photoelectrochemical cells.

Tirthankar Chakraborty, an earth scientist in the Atmospheric, Climate and Earth Sciences Division of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), will give the talk, “Modeling Spatial Variability of Urban Microclimate,” at 4 p.m. on Monday, March 11, in 112 Walker Building on the University Park campus. The talk will also be available via Zoom.

Dr. Anna Oldani will discuss how the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Environment and Energy (AEE) deploys research to support informed decision‐making at national and international levels. Through coordinated multi‐agency programs and partnerships with industry and academia, AEE advances R&D efforts across the space of sustainable aviation topics. This work includes the Aviation Sustainability Center of Excellence (ASCENT), a university research initiative with over a dozen domestic universities.

Learn about conservation practices used to stabilize eroding streambanks, improve instream habitat, and provide suitable crossings on farms and other land uses. During Streambank Stabilization and Stream Crossings on Farms we will discuss different practices for stabilizing eroding streambanks on various land uses such as cropland, pasture, and forest. Several economical options are available, and we will explore their purpose and effect.

During Forest Fire Driven by War, attendees will learn about how the war in Ukraine is driving an unprecedented wave of forest fires. Learn about how Ukrainians are responding to these fires, how forest fires are found in a warzone, and how those fires are impacting the land and people they scorch. Participants will hear from Ukrainian foresters, researchers, and other experts.

Soil moisture is an important factor in agriculture, influencing crop growth and yield. Traditionally, farmers have relied on manual methods and experience to assess soil moisture levels. With technological advancements, however, novel methods are emerging, providing more accurate and efficient ways to manage water resources and optimize yields. Monitoring Soil Moisture: A Climate Smart Practice will look at some advancements in soil moisture monitoring and how making good management decisions can be a climate-smart practice.

Revisiting Past Lectures on the 30th Anniversary of the Ashtekar Frontiers of Science

During Ukraine Series: An Introduction to the Forests of Ukraine and the War, attendees will be introduced to the forests of Ukraine, Ukraine's relationship to forests, and how they used forests prior to and during the war. They will also learn about the war, how the war is impacting the people of Ukraine, and be introduced to how the war is being fought. Participants will hear from Ukrainian foresters, researchers, and other experts.

This year’s online conference will feature four distinct discussion tracks, including "Shining a Light: Uncovering Insights through Analytics," "Blazing the Trail: Turning Insights into Impactful Outcomes," "Lighting the Way: Emerging Trends and the Future of Data," and "Enlightening Data Processing and Analytics: IT System Innovations." 

Kona Gray, who is the principal of the planning, landscape architecture, and urban design firm EDSA, Inc., has been named the 2023-24 recipient of the Department of Landscape Architecture’s John R. Bracken Fellowship. Titled “Grounded Landscapes – Exploring the Land, Sea and Culture,” Gray’s lecture will explore a new understanding and appreciation for the land and sea, discover the possibilities of connecting cultures with the environment, and celebrate diversity highlighting a common human future.

The global battery industry has achieved significant cost savings: electric vehicle (EV) battery costs have dropped by more than 90% over the past decade. This study assesses the extent to which this sharp decline in lithium-ion battery prices is attributable to learning-by-doing in battery production, and quantifies the impact of two types of government policies (e.g., consumer subsidies and domestic content requirement) on learning, technology diffusion, and industry dynamics.

Learn about ongoing work in water resources, engage in discussions about green stormwater infrastructure, and exchange ideas with professionals across Pennsylvania.

Please note that this workshop is open to tenure-line faculty, non-tenure-line faculty, and research staff in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. (Future workshops are planned for faculty in other units) Learn how to transform your scientific insights into compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. Effectively communicate:  What you do  What it impacts  Why it matters  Expert Guidance: 

This year’s online conference will feature four distinct discussion tracks, including "Shining a Light: Uncovering Insights through Analytics," "Blazing the Trail: Turning Insights into Impactful Outcomes," "Lighting the Way: Emerging Trends and the Future of Data," and "Enlightening Data Processing and Analytics: IT System Innovations." 

The Stuckeman School welcomes artist and architect Yussef Agbo-Ola, founder of Olaniyi Studio, for a virtual lecture to kick off the school's spring 2024 Lecture + Exhibit Series. Titled “The Art of Poetic Environmental Architecture and Design,” Agbo-Ola’s lecture will highlight the importance of the ephemeral, entropy in design and poetic environmental architecture relating to his work over the last decade. Attendees are encouraged to watch the virtual lecture in the Stuckeman Family Building Jury Space. The lecture will also be available to attend via Zoom.

The specific technique, details of the acquisition method, along with how data is processed all influence the quantification of surface roughness.  Furthermore, the commonly reported roughness parameters of average roughness and RMS roughness are often inadequate to fully characterize the texture of a surface.  This talk will provide an overview of what differences you should expect between surface roughness data coming from AFM, OP, and even stylus profilometry as well as an introduction to advanced surface texture parameters.

Chirality, or non-superimposable mirror image structures are common across the natural world (think left and right hands). Even at the nanoscale, proteins are chiral molecules where their specific structure (left or right hand) drives function.  In my group, we leverage sequence-definition and enantiomeric-control of synthetic peptides to tune the chirality and shape of nanoparticles. I will discuss how such nanoparticles can enable discovery of next-generation sensors.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into social work practices presents an innovative pathway to address complex social issues with greater precision, efficiency, and personalized care. This talk delves into the transformative potential of AI in redefining the landscape of social work, offering insights into how cutting-edge technologies can augment traditional methodologies to better serve individuals and communities in need.