$3.6M in grants awarded to nuclear engineering projects
| psu.edu
Multiple researchers in the Penn State Ken and Mary Alice Lindquist Department of Nuclear Engineering were recently awarded Nuclear Energy University Program grants from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Q&A: Researchers’ approach aims to make AI-powered systems more efficient
| psu.edu
A team of researchers at Penn State are following a “selective learning” approach — where scientists only collect data needed for a specific problem, instead of collecting all available data and sorting through to find what applies to a problem — to make artificial intelligence-powered systems like unmanned autonomous vehicles more efficient. They recently published their approach in Scientific Reports.
Grant helps fund new equipment to support Center for Signal Integrity research
| psu.edu
Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Science, Engineering, and Technology was awarded a $282,770 grant from the Office of Naval Research to help purchase a high-end instrument that will support research at the college’s Center for Signal Integrity.
Brief scientific literacy interventions may quash new conspiracy theories
| magazine.smeal.psu.edu
Focusing on critical thinking skills may help to undermine conspiracy beliefs and behaviors before the conspiracy theories have a chance to take root.
International Space Station science program director to present McFarland Lecture
| psu.edu
Rose Hernandez, science program director at the International Space Station National Laboratory, will deliver the McFarland Lecture, “From Earth to Space: Advancing Materials Technologies and Embracing Life's Mission,” on Thursday, April 10, in 101 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building on Penn State's University Park campus.
Zhiqiang Mao named a fellow of the AAAS
| psu.edu
Zhiqiang Mao, professor of physics, of materials science and engineering, and of chemistry, has been named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Four Penn State faculty elected AAAS Fellows
| psu.edu
Four Penn State faculty members have been elected to the most recent cohort of fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Call for posters for 2025 Penn State Climate Solutions Symposium
| psu.edu
Penn State students, faculty, staff and symposium attendees are invited to present their work at an in-person poster session highlighting innovative climate solutions.
Ecological disruptions are a risk to national security
| theconversation.com
Overfishing, disease and environmental crimes cause social and political instability, economic strife and strained international relations. This article was co-written by Bradley Cardinale, professor of ecosystem science and management.
College of Engineering welcomed 25 faculty members last year
| psu.edu
The Penn State College of Engineering has added 25 faculty members since February 2024. The four tenure-line faculty and 21 professional track faculty represent 10 units and departments.
IEE then and now
As we celebrate the start of our 63rd year this month, we’re taking a look back, literally, at the Institute of Energy and the Environment—its history, its evolution, and how its work has changed over time. From early research efforts to today’s interdisciplinary approach to energy and environmental challenges, the institute continues to adapt and grow.
The weirdest ways scientists are mining for critical minerals, from water to weeds
| grist.org
Since ancient history, mining has been a dirty business. While we’ve developed new tools, chemicals, machines, and techniques, most of today’s mining still boils down to digging in the dirt. This article quotes Sarma Pisupati, professor of energy and mineral engineering and director of the Center for Critical Minerals.