Penn State chemistry professor Benjamin Lear uses ‘empathy’ in, out of his classroom
| collegian.psu.edu
For Benjamin Lear, IEE cofunded faculty member and professor of CHEM 110H and SC 103N at Penn State, his students know him for his interpersonal connections.
Coal creation mechanism uncovered
| psu.edu
The mechanism behind one of the first stages of coal creation may not be what has long been thought, according to a team of researchers, who found that microbes were responsible for coal formation and production of methane in these areas, which has implications for methane fuel recovery from some coal fields.
SSRI announces large pilot grants program
| psu.edu
Penn State’s Social Science Research Institute invites proposals of up to $75,000 for innovative pilot research projects that contribute to SSRI’s strategic mission of fostering interdisciplinary research that addresses critical human and social problems at the local, national and international levels.
Engineering professor named associate fellow for advancing aerospace industry
| psu.edu
Steve Lynch, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Penn State, has been recognized for his advancements to the aerospace industry by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
'Back to the World' Initiative provides funding for education abroad
| psu.edu
Penn State Global’s Education Abroad office is starting a new initiative called “Back to the World.” Students are encouraged to get back out into the world by taking advantage of funding opportunities available through the program, including an opportunity focused on sustainable practices and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Penn State ranks among nation's best in green energy use
| onwardstate.com
About a third of Penn State's power needs come from renewable energy sources.
Engineers use deep learning to predict earthquakes in the lab
| psu.edu
A team of Penn State researchers led by Parisa Shokouhi, associate professor of engineering science and mechanics, demonstrated that deep learning algorithms, which train with data to generate predictions, could make the ability to predict future earthquakes more attainable.
Going gold: Engineers to investigate using gold as catalyst in hydrogenation
| psu.edu
Bert Chandler, Penn State professor of chemical engineering and chemistry, is at the helm of a three-year, $450,000 U.S. Department of Energy grant to investigate the use of gold as a catalyst in hydrogenation reactions.
AI behind deepfakes may power materials design innovations, scientists say
| psu.edu
Penn State scientists are using the artificial intelligence technology behind deepfakes, computer-generated images that resemble human faces, to make advances in materials design.
Bridges, bike lanes, electric car chargers and more: 5 essential reads on the infrastructure bill
| theconversation.com
What will the US$1.2 trillion infrastructure bill pay for? Here are some of the things it will help build, fix or remove.
University Libraries program recognizes tenured, promoted faculty through books
| psu.edu
Recently tenured and promoted University faculty were honored in October through Penn State University Libraries’ Promotion and Tenure Recognition Program, now in its 18th year. The 2021 honorees were recognized at a private event in the Paterno Family Humanities Reading Room at Pattee Library on the University Park campus.
Engineers to sustainably mine rare earth elements from fertilizer byproduct
| psu.edu
To develop a more sustainable process that can retrieve rare earth elements from phosphogypsum, a byproduct of fertilizer production, Penn State researchers were awarded a four-year, $571,658 National Science Foundation grant as part of a collaboration with Case Western Reserve University and Clemson University that totals $1.7 million in funding.