Penn State Energy and Environment News

'Growing Impact' discusses the complex underground process of carbon storage

| psu.edu

The latest episode of Growing Impact explores the process of injecting carbon dioxide underground and mineralizing it to permanently sequester the gas, a path toward reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change.

Geography doctoral student receives NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

| psu.edu

Lily Houtman, a doctoral student in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences’ Department of Geography at Penn State, has been selected as a 2024 U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program awardee. 

Growing Impact: Underground carbon storage

| Featuring Yashar Mehmani, Anne Menefee

Storing carbon dioxide underground could offset the record amounts of CO2 that humans emit each year. If this technology is successful, it could be an answer to climate change impacts, such as rising temperatures and acidification of the ocean. However, the process is complex and costly. A team of researchers is exploring one way liquid CO2 could be injected into rock formations, which may efficiently convert the molecule into a solid.

Exceptional research, teaching, service earn 16 Abington faculty promotions

| psu.edu

Faculty dedication to research, teaching and service demonstrates their commitment to the Penn State Abington campus community.

Mussels downstream of wastewater treatment plant contain radium, study reports

| psu.edu

A pair of researchers from Penn State’s Department of Civil and Environment Engineering analyzed the composition of mussels downstream of a wastewater treatment facility in Western Pennsylvania that had accepted and treated fracking wastewater, and found that the tissue and shells of mussels contained radium. Their findings are available online now and will appear in the June issue of Science of the Total Environment.  

Five Penn Staters named 2024-25 BTAA Academic Leadership Program Fellows

| psu.edu

The Big Ten Academic Alliance's Academic Leadership Program in 2024-25 will include five new fellows from Penn State. The BTAA is the academic consortium of the Big Ten universities and the United States’ preeminent model for effective collaboration among research universities. The Academic Leadership Program focuses on addressing the challenges of academic administration at major research universities.

Invasive species are transforming the Everglades

| knowablemagazine.org

From Burmese pythons and Asian swamp eels to Old World climbing ferns, South Florida hosts hordes of non-native animals and plants. What can be done about the ecological havoc they are wreaking? This article quotes Deah Lieurance, assistant professor of invasive species biology and management.

Toxic fracking wastewater contains a ‘shocking’ amount of lithium. That may or may not be a good thing

| fastcompany.com

A new study says there's enough lithium in Pennsylvania's wastewater to meet up to 40% of domestic needs. But experts worry it will be used to justify more fracking. This article mentions Penn State.

Jeffrey Hyde returns to take the reins for Penn State Extension

| psu.edu

Jeffrey Hyde, most recently a professor and administrator at Texas A&M University, has returned to Pennsylvania to become director of Penn State Extension and associate dean in the College of Agricultural Sciences. He started in his new role on April 25.

Five Penn State faculty named 2024 BTAA Department Executive Officer Fellows

| psu.edu

The Big Ten Academic Alliance's Department Executive Officers program has gained five additional fellows from the Penn State ranks. Through the BTAA's Department Executive Officers program, participants who have demonstrated exceptional ability through University administrative assignments or other significant positions in public, private or professional organizations are aided in further developing their leadership and managerial skills.

Whitmore Lecture on Chemistry Education and Public Policy to be held June 7

| psu.edu

John Warner, president and chief executive officer of The Technology Greenhouse and co-founder of the field of green chemistry, will present the fifth quadrennial Whitmore Lecture on Chemistry Education and Public Policy on Friday, June 7, at Penn State University Park.

Penn State announces tenure-line faculty promotions, effective July 1, 2024

| psu.edu

The following is a list of academic promotions for tenured and tenure-line faculty members at Penn State, effective July 1, 2024.