Penn State biomass progresses with shrub willow renewable energy
| onwardstate.com
Penn State Biomass research is making moves to reach new markets for shrub willow as a renewable resource. The project sold shrub willow chips to construction companies for use, and the researchers involved are excited for future opportunities in the biomass energy production.
EMS undergrads research energy, explore regions of Europe through science course
| psu.edu
A group of earth and mineral sciences undergraduates explored several regions of Europe through a science course to research energy and learn about different cultures.
Engineering's Collins, Giebink honored for teaching excellence
| psu.edu
Robert Collins, associate professor of computer science and engineering at Penn State, and Chris Giebink, Charles K. Etner Early Career Professor of Electrical Engineering at Penn State, were recently selected to receive the Joel and Ruth Spira Excellence in Teaching Award. Established with an endowment by the Lutron Foundation in honor of the company's founders, the award recognizes individuals who excel in the classroom by helping students learn, understand and apply the fundamentals of engineering.
Researchers design computational tool to prospect novel bioconversion pathways
| psu.edu
Researchers from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Penn State have developed a two-step workflow to optimize metabolic networks for the production of chemical products and biofuels.
Engineering faculty appointed to early career and development professorships
| psu.edu
Eight faculty members in the Penn State College of Engineering were recently appointed to early career and development professorships.
Penn State researchers assess the impacts of changing weather on Pennsylvania
| psu.edu
Penn State researchers assessed the effects of changing climate conditions on agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, water resources, forestry, energy and human health in the 2015 Pennsylvania Climate Impact Assessment Update. Researchers also made recommendations to help Pennsylvanians prepare and respond.
Solar cell research funded by U.S. Department of Energy
| psu.edu
Fixed-tilt concentrating photovoltaic panels that will deliver significantly more energy than conventional photovoltaic solar panels are the aim of Penn State's solar energy research funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) for $2.9 million.
NSF award supports research on sustainable energy production
| psu.edu
Bruce Logan, Evan Pugh Professor and Kappe Professor of Environmental Engineering, and Christopher Gorski, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, received a National Science Foundation EAGER award to fund their research on technologies that generate and store electrical energy from waste heat using salinity gradients.
Déjà vu all over again: Research shows 'mulch fungus' causes turfgrass disease
| psu.edu
An emerging turfgrass disease that is affecting golf courses around the world has been traced to a fungus commonly found in mulches. This is the first step toward a possible treatment for the disease.
Researchers study inexpensive process to clean water in developing nations
| phys.org
What would happen if a common tree had the potential to turn cloudy, contaminated water into clean, safe drinking water for millions in need? Penn State researchers are hoping to find out using the seeds of the Moringa oleifera tree.
Unlocking the biofuel energy stored in plant cell walls
| psu.edu
The key to efficient biofuels may lie in learning how plants build their cell walls.
Promotions in academic rank, effective July 1, 2015
| psu.edu
Following is a list of academic promotions for tenured and tenure-line faculty at Penn State, effective July 1.