Humans have the ability to recognize patterns, and architects in particular have a tendency to see them everywhere. This can be useful for research and design. I will discuss how decoding the logic behind the tessellation of the first geodesic dome can help the eco-conscious revival of an ancient wooden-roof construction method. Furthermore, I will demonstrate how we can apply known patterns and define new ones to increase the use of reclaimed materials, particularly bricks.
Past Events: Penn State Energy and Environment Calendar Archive
You're viewing an archived collection of past energy and environment events from around Penn State and beyond. Please visit our Event Calendar to view current and upcoming events.
The Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development (CSED) and the Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm, units of Student Affairs, will host a screening of John Chester’s The Biggest Little Farm. The film offers a vital blueprint for better living and a healthier planet in preparation for Earth Day.
The Penn State community is invited to attend the film screening on Monday, April 15 at 7 p.m. in 127 Pasquerilla Center. Refreshments will be available throughout the film in room 124.
Outdoor aerosols experience environmental changes when transported indoors, including outdoor-to-indoor temperature and humidity gradients, which can reduce or enhance indoor concentrations due to repartitioning driven by thermodynamic changes. Traditional models often overlook these phenomena, which can lead to inaccurate predictions of indoor aerosol exposure. This talk explores how we simulated the impact of these effects in different climate zones across the U.S., highlighting important considerations.
Cross-border electricity interconnections are on the rise because they can be used to smooth out short-term grid stability issues caused by increasing amounts of intermittent power and improve the cost-efficient dispatching of electricity across large geographic areas. However, increased international electricity trade can also introduce geopolitical factors into electricity grids, including the threat of electricity coercion. Russia’s repeated attacks on the electricity system of Ukraine have raised the level of concern about this new geopolitical energy challenge.
In this talk, inkjet-/3D-printed antennas, interconnects, “smart” encapsulation and packages, RF electronics, RFIDs microfluidics and sensors fabricated on glass, PET, paper and other flexible substrates are introduced as a system-level solution for ultra-low-cost mass production of Millimeter-Wave Modules and Metasurfaces for Communication, Energy Harvesting and Sensing applications. Prof.
Join the PA Department of Environmental Protection, GreenGov Council, and Penn State in learning more about the Commonwealth’s new Sustainable Buildings Initiative to help reduce the impacts of construction and operations for new buildings for the Commonwealth government. As part of this initiative, a team from Penn State has created a series of educational modules that will be publicly available to educate any builder or planner in principles around sustainable building. Featuring Esther Obonyo and John Bechtel, Penn State; Heidi Kunsch, PA Department of Environmental Protection
Analyzing the aftermath of Europe's largest dam destruction in Ukraine, exploring impacts on ecosystems, post-war landscape recovery, and future river and fish management scenarios.
Dr. Lauren Esposito is the Curator and Schlinger Chair of Arachnology at the California Academy of Sciences. Lauren’s current research investigates the patterns and processes of evolution in spiders, scorpions, with a focus on tropical islands.
For almost 2 decades, plastic usage has grown with each passing year; as such, plastic waste has also grown substantially during that period. Over the last 10-15 years, the calls to increase recycling rates of plastic have also grown, but virtually nothing has happened. There is a confluence of events now taking place that will drive change, but the most important question to address is not “why” this will happen, but “how” it will occur.
Seth Cassell is State Forester/Director of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry. In his role, he is responsible for overseeing management of the 2.2 million acre, third-party certified State Forest system and conserving and protecting the health of the Commonwealth’s forests and native wild plants. Cassell has served the Bureau of Forestry in various roles since 2000, in field forestry, urban forestry, communications, land acquisitions and resource planning.
Cellulosic biofuels fell short of expectations a decade ago but are likely needed as part of the sustainable energy transition. Perspectives will be offered pursuant to configuring Cellulosic Biofuel 2.0 for success, including:
•The need for cellulosic biofuels as key components of the sustainableenergy transition, with an emphasis on negative emissions.
•Selected technologies with potential to enable cost-competitive conversionof cellulosic biomass to fuels for light and heavy duty vehicles.
A free screening of the documentary "From the Heartland" hosted by the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN). Following the screening, there will be a Q&A panel discussion with Shawn and Becky Feikema, co-owners of Feikema Farms featured in the film. Also with Carolyn Heckman of EEN, Professor Sjoerd Duiker of Agricultural Sciences, and Emeritus Professor Fred S. Cannon of Environmental Engineering. Visit CreationCare.org/Screening to register now and save your spot!
Farmland in the US is of prime interest for grid-scale solar energy development, yet the legalities and governance of solar energy leases are complex and ever-evolving. Therefore, there is a growing need to define and legitimate what farmland is worth prioritizing for (or protecting from) solar development and to clarify the processes for negotiating private solar leases, particularly with developers’ use of non-disclosure agreements and option contracts.
Climate Dynamics Seminar (Meteo 575)
Attend the AWRA 2024 Spring Specialty Conference, co-hosted by the AWRA Future Risk Committee and the Alabama Water Institute. The theme for the conference is "Water Risk and Resilience: Research and Sustainable Solutions."
Dow is a global producer of polymers such as packaging and specialty plastics. Driving sustainability and circularity in the market is part of Dow’s corporate ambition. However, shifting from a linear to a circular economy has technical and infrastructural challenges. In this talk, Dr. Majumdar will provide an industry perspective on the opportunities, challenges, and potential solutions for driving circularity using plastic wastes as alternate feedstocks.
Recently, and maybe longer, a topic dominating headlines in higher education has focused on some aspect of access. And by access, the focus has been on the ability to afford to attend an institution of higher education. Sometimes there is a hint of helping overcome other barriers to entry, but those all seem to be secondary. Yet, if we truly consider access to higher education, we must include all aspects of our tripartite mission – teaching and learning, research and creative expression, and community or public engagement.
A publication is often considered to be a key product of academic research. It is the public-facing record of the research that is archived and available for others to read, as well as part of a portfolio that impacts the professional advancement of researchers. Authorship is therefore an important aspect of a publication. This talk will highlight some considerations that are relevant when determining the list of authors that is included on a publication.
Sleep is a vital behavior for health and well-being, but who has time to sleep? This presentation will highlight the interdisciplinary research of the Sleep Health, & Society Collaboratory, Including the role of work in sleep and cardiometabolic health, recent findings using machine learning in sleep wearable, how sleep is involved in healthy aging and brain health, and tips for healthy sleep.
It's been over two years since we began planning for the CHIPS Act opportunities, and finally, we are seeing the first programs to which PSU can contribute. In this brief presentation, I will provide you with an update on our current status and explain how you can get involved.
The Millennium Café runs 10-11am in the 3rd floor Café Commons of the MSC Bldg. Join researchers from across campus for a stellar cup of coffee and two <10 min interdisciplinary talks.