Podcast explores renewable, biodegradable construction materials
| news.psu.edu
The latest episode of the Growing Impact podcast from the Institutes of Energy and the Environment explores a seed grant project that looks to use mycelium, the root structure of fungi, as a renewable, biodegradable building material with a small carbon footprint.
Grant to investigate stronger, greener carbon fiber-reinforced plastics
| news.psu.edu
Researchers in the College of Engineering have teamed up to investigate a new, low-cost carbon fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing method with a $595,000 grant from the U.S. Office of Naval Research. The new material could be used to make lighter, greener airplanes.
Penn State centers collaborate on pollinator education project
| news.psu.edu
Center directors in the College of Education and the College of Agricultural Sciences have been awarded a grant that will support elementary students in understanding the science of pollinators and agriculture.
New Kensington Digital Foundry named Smart Manufacturing Innovation Center
| news.psu.edu
Penn State New Kensington has been named one of four new Smart Manufacturing Innovation Centers (SMIC) by the U.S. Department of Energy in partnership with the Clean Energy Smart Manufacturing Institute. The additions bring the number of SMICs to eight.
Growing Impact: Building with fungi
| Featuring Benay Gürsoy Toykoç
According to reports, the building industry is responsible for a lot of the carbon emissions in the world, about 37% in the U.S. This includes the production of materials, construction, operation, and even deconstruction. Additionally, the world will need alternative building materials to keep up with the demand of the construction industry. In this episode of Growing Impact, we explore a seed grant project that looks to use mycelium, the root structure of fungi, as a renewable, biodegradable building material with a small carbon footprint.
With so much solar on the horizon, Pa. landowners are learning about a new type of lease
| post-gazette.com
There are now so many large solar projects planned for Pennsylvania that, if all the plans panned out, there would be far more energy coming from the sun than from coal or nuclear power.
Family symposium on environmental impact to relationships and well-being
| news.psu.edu
Penn State’s 29th annual Symposium on Family Issues will examine the role of the physical environment in family relationships, behaviors, and well-being, with a focus on disasters, climate change and the built environment. “Environmental Impacts on Families: Change, Challenge, and Adaptation” will be held Oct. 25-26. Registration is required to attend, livestream or view the recording.
Cellular agriculture development has potential to change food industry, society
| news.psu.edu
Depending on how it occurs, the development of cellular agriculture has the potential to either accelerate socioeconomic inequality or provide beneficial alternatives to the status quo, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers.
Symposium explores how the built environment can advance social equity
| news.psu.edu
Penn State is hosting a virtual symposium Sept. 23-24 that will explore how architects and designers in related disciplines can gain a better understanding of the impact the built environment has on shaping society’s inequalities, how the decisions they make as design professionals have consequences, and how they can help bring about better social equity in an increasingly polarizing world.
Graduate students invited to attend fall science communication workshop
| news.psu.edu
Graduate students are invited to participate in the 2021 Graduate Student Science Communication Workshop on both Tuesday, Sept. 21 and Wednesday, Sept. 22.
Better, sustainable early building designs may be possible with NSF grant
| news.psu.edu
In the NSF-funded project, two engineering researchers plan to study how expert designers use software during the early iterations of their work, giving architectural engineers a larger voice in the conversation and potentially designing better, more sustainable buildings.
Department associate heads appointed to amplify diversity efforts in EMS
| news.psu.edu
The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences has provided funding for each of its five departments to appoint associate heads for diversity, equity and inclusion.
Flooding is the world's most devastating natural disaster, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. Millions of Americans live in high-risk flood zones, with the threat amplified by climate change and aging infrastructure. This episode explores how innovative computer modeling and visualizations can help communities plan for future flood risks and develop effective response strategies. Listen to the podcast.
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